Los Angeles Galaxy will be aiming to lift themselves off the foot of the Major League Soccer Western Conference when they host Charlotte FC on Sunday.
The visitors currently sit midtable in the Eastern Conference and come into this game on the back of being knocked out of the US Open Cup.
Match preview
LA Galaxy have had a torrid time at the start of this campaign, having only won two of their 13 matches to this point which has left them bottom of the league.
However, they will take some confidence from the fact that both of those victories took place in home games, which is a run they will wish to extend on Sunday.
LA Galaxy did secure a win in midweek when they faced Los Angeles FC in the US Open Cup, defeating their rivals 2-0 courtesy of goals from Tyler Boyd and Riqui Puig.
In the league, Greg Vanney's team has lost their previous two matches and failed to score a goal in either of them which is an area they must improve.
As a team, they have scored just 10 times in the MLS so far, and that is an issue that they will need to address if they want to start progressing up the division.
For the visitors, they will be aiming for an immediate response to being knocked out of the US Open Cup during their most recent match.
Charlotte FC were surprisingly beaten by Birmingham Legion FC as they struggled to cope with 10 men for the majority of the second half after Adilson Malanda was sent off.
That extended their run of losses to two games after being beaten in their most recent MLS game as well, adding further pressure to this weekend to bring the confidence back.
Charlotte FC have had mixed results on the road so far with two wins, a draw and three defeats, but they will be confident of securing three points on Sunday.
A win this weekend does have the possibility of pushing the team up to fifth depending on other results, giving them plenty to fight for in this one.
Team News
Jonathan Klinsmann impressed in goal during the penalty shootout in midweek and his confidence should be high heading into this one, especially after keeping a clean sheet and he could keep his place.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, it is expected that Javier Hernandez will lead the line with the former Manchester United forward bringing plenty of experience to the team.
For the visitors, changes to the team will be expected from midweek, with certain players who were rested likely to be brought straight back in.
George Marks, Kerwin Vargas and Guzman Corujo are all major injury concerns for Charlotte FC, with each player not expected to feature until next month at the earliest.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Klinsmann; Calegari, Zavaleta, Neal, Aude; Alvarez, Aguirre, Rosell, Edwards; Hernandez, Jovelji
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Lindsey, Malanda, Sobocinski, Byrne; Westwood, Bronico, Cambridge; Swiderski, Copetti, Meram
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 0-2 Charlotte FC
LA Galaxy have been having a very tough season and despite getting a win in midweek, this is going to be a hard task to follow this time around.
How to watch
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Previews by email
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