DC United vs. LA Galaxy | MLS Match Preview

DC United vs. LA Galaxy, March 28, 2015

D.C. UNITED vs. LA GALAXY
RFK STADIUM, Washington, D.C.
March 28, 2015 (WEEK 4, MLS Game #30)
7 p.m. ET (MLS LIVE)

A pair of clubs who have had a long and storied rivalry throughout the history of Major League Soccer meet for the only time this year when D.C. United play host to the LA Galaxy on Saturday evening at RFK Stadium. United return home off their first defeat of the season, falling 2-0 at the New York Red Bulls last weekend. The Galaxy are still undefeated on the new campaign, following their 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo last weekend at StubHub Center.


  • United lost their first league match of the season, falling 2-0 to archrivals New York Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey.
  • The Galaxy are still undefeated on the new season, but played to a second consecutive draw in their 1-1 result with the Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening at StubHub Center. Jose Villarreal recorded an assist for a second consecutive match after scoring in the season opener, setting up Robbie Keane’s second goal of the season.
  • The Galaxy won the lone meeting between the teams last year, a 4-1 win Aug. 27 at StubHub Center, extending their home undefeated streak vs. United to nine years and eight matches.
  • United have not defeated the Galaxy at RFK Stadium since 2008. The Galaxy have won one of the four meetings in Washington since, with three draws.


REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Danny Thornberry; 4th: Mark Kadlecik
MLS Career: 42 games; FC/gm: 25.7; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 12; pens: 12



SUSPENDED: DC: Fabian Espindola (through April 18)
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: LA: Gyasi Zardes (USA; vs DEN 3/25, vs SUI 3/31); Robbie Keane (IRL; vs POL 3/29; Jaime Penedo (PAN; vs TRI 3/27, vs CRC 3/31); Oscar Sorto (U.S. U-23); Bradford Jamieson IV (U.S. U-20)


HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (41 meetings): United 13 wins (1 shootout), 52 goals … Galaxy 19 wins (0 shootout), 67 goals … Ties 9
AT RFK (21 meetings): United 8 wins (0 shootout), 33 goals … Galaxy 9 wins (0 shootout), 36 goals … Ties 4


LAST YEAR (MLS)
8/27: LA 4, DC 1 (Gordon 2; Gonzalez 25; Husidic 46+; Donovan 75 – own goal 58)


  • This is the only league meeting between the teams this season.
  • The Galaxy have a 10-game undefeated streak alive vs. United, dating back to 2008. The Galaxy have won five of the matches since, with five draws.
  • The Galaxy won the lone meeting between the teams last year, a 4-1 win Aug. 27 at StubHub Center, extending their home undefeated streak vs. United to nine years and eight matches.
  • United have not defeated the Galaxy at RFK Stadium since 2008. The Galaxy have won one of the four meetings in Washington since, with three draws.
  • Coaches record: Ben Olsen vs. NY: P6 W0 L3 D3 … Bruce Arena vs. DC: P15 W6 L3 D6


CHECK OUT THE INJURY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH
CHECK OUT THE DISCIPLINARY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH
UNITED VOW TO DITCH PASSIVE TENDENCIES BEHIND AGAINST GALAXY
BUDDLE READY TO FILL IN FOR ABSENT GALAXY FORWARDS KEANE, ZARDES
VILLARREAL REPORTEDLY TURNS DOWN US U-23 CALL-UP TO STAY WITH GALAXY