Mark Delgado hopes that Greg Vanney can turn things around for De La Galaxy, while the FC midfielder of Los Angeles is preparing for a “weird” reunion with his former club in El Trafico.
On Sunday, Lafc Dignity Health Sports Park visits to see the ruling MLS Cup champions, who started a season in the history of the competition.
The Galaxy has only collected three points for their first 13 games of the season, two less than any other club in this phase of a campaign.
They have lost their last five games and go to the Philadelphia Union with 3-2 on Wednesday after being humiliated last weekend in a 7-0 defeat against the New York Red Bulls.
Delgado was part of the MLS Cup-winning team of the Galaxy last year before he made the move by Los Angeles, and although he wants his former team the best, he is desperate to beat them on Sunday.
“I hope absolutely, personally it goes better for him,” Delgado said about Vanney. “I hope Greg can turn things around.
“I want to come at the top. It's a strange situation. You don't want them so well because you want to do it right.
“It is definitely a different look, but at the end of the day it is a derby. As soon as that whistle blows and we are on the field, I am locked up.”
Lafc is fifth in the classification of the Western Conference, already 18 points better than their rivals, which have become unbeaten by their last six games.
More days. pic.twitter.com/wrpvlake
– Lafc (@LAFC) May 17, 2025
On Wednesday, they trunks the Seattle Sounders 4-0, after they had played an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Western Conference leaders, the Vancouver WhiteCaps, last Sunday.
Despite their gloomy start until 2025, the Galaxy has put their confidence in coach Vanney for the long term, so that he has transferred a contract extension to go through on Friday 2028.
After the pens of that deal, who reportedly makes him the best -paid coach in MLS, Vanney said in a statement: “I am honored to continue this journey with a club that has meant so much to me.
“We know that we did not start this season as we were planning, but we believe in the group, in the process and in what we are building.
“I am fully committed to our players, our fans and this organization, and I am enthusiastic about what awaits us.”
Players to watch
La Galaxy – Marco Reus
Reus has three targets for eight performances in MLS, with only Christian Ramirez (four goals, one assist) who manage more for the Galaxy this campaign.
The Germany icon has so far also created 18 chances, without no more player from both Los Angeles Club manages.
G knows the exercise. Wear white on Sunday pic.twitter.com/DlWHDCPCCL
– La Galaxy (@lagalaxy) May 16, 2025
Los Angeles FC – Jeremy Ebobisse
Ebobisse scored 10 career goals in the regular season against La Galaxy, one of the four players who scored at least 10 goals against a single opponent in MLS since he debuted in the competition in 2017.
He was one of the four players on the score sheet in Wednesday's route in Seattle, who brought him to three goals in eight league onions this year.
Match forecast – Los Angeles FC Win
Lafc has only won one of their last 10 ex matches in all competitions (D2 L7) that goes back to the start of last season's play -offs.
They closed the regular 2024 season with three immediately victories and enter this game as big favorites.
The run of the Galaxy of 13 straight matches without victory is the longest ever recorded by a team from the start of an MLS campaign.
Neutrals must also expect entertainment.
An average of 4.3 combined goals per match scored in 24 all time between the Galaxy and Lafc. Eleven of those meetings have characterized at least five goals.
Opta wins probability
La Galaxy – 32.9%
Los Angeles FC – 41.6%
Drawing – 25.6%