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LA Galaxy Preview: The Galaxy know, “Win and we’re in.”

LA Galaxy player Javier Chicharito Hernandez celebrates his goal at Lumen Field

Decision Day.

On what normally should be a day of rest, the Los Angeles Galaxy will have to do their hardest work of the season Sunday when they play Minnesota to keep their season alive.

LA Galaxy Preview against Minnesota United FC

The wild, wild west including LA Galaxy Preview

With only three spots left in the Western Conference and five teams battling for a playoff spot on decision day, all the possible scenarios and math prove a simple truth for Los Angeles, “win and we’re in.”

The coaching staff and players have been preaching that “each game is a final” for the better of a month, but this time it couldn’t be more accurate. 

“This is essentially a playoff game,” Los Angeles Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney told reporters of Sunday’s match. “We’ve said that for several games, but this is a play-in, playoff game. If you lose, you’re potentially done.” 

But if you have to be in this position, L.A. has the best scenario to save itself.

They’ll play at home in front of 27,000 passionate Angelinos and they control their own destiny.

Vanney should have a full roster to pick from save perhaps left-back Jorge Villafaña. He also praised the intensity the team trained with throughout the week.

The Galaxy had some success against Minnesota this season as well, taking one of two games from the loons away at Allianz Field this season 1-0. That they got the away win with what Vanney called a “modified roster” because of injury and travel, shows the Galaxy can definitely trouble their opponent.

The Loons

Minnesota still has Argentinian Emanuel Reynoso, however, who Vanney called “a game-changer.” Reynoso scored two well-taken goals against the Galaxy in September and the defense should be wary of letting him get on his favored left foot. 

Minnesota has never won in Los Angeles though and has struggled to put together consistent form recently, alternating between euphoric wins like their 2-1 win over SKC and humiliating losses like the 3-1 loss to 10-man Colorado.

The loons for their part will be wary of Galaxy forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who scored a delicious back-heel goal against Seattle in a 1-1 tie away last Monday. 

“I’m another person living his dreams.”

If Chicharito can find success, the Galaxy will be tough to beat.

L.A. wingers will have to be at their best to get Chicharito service and put him in good spaces. 

And crucially, for Galaxy fans, it seems he’s relaxed about decision day.

“I’m another person living his dreams, doing the best he can for the team and organization. Yeah, it’s going to be a very important game… Everything to gain for us, that’s the way I see it, that’s why that I play,” Chicharito explained about how he is approaching the match.

“Obviously I’m going to give everything to get those three points on Sunday because that’s what I’ve been doing.”

27,000 Angelinos will be behind him giving everything for the three points too because the G’s know, “win and we’re in.”

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