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LA Galaxy Cling to Postseason Hopes Hosting FC Cincinnati

A rare match against FC Cincinnati at Dignity Health Sports Park could determine if the Los Angeles Galaxy's playoff aspirations turn to dust in a must win game.
ByScott Conrad|
Sep 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Lucas Sanabria (8) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Houston Dynamo FC in the second half at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Lucas Sanabria (8) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Houston Dynamo FC in the second half at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Four teams in Major League Soccer have already been eliminated from making the playoffs in 2025. None of which are a part of the MLS Western Conference. However, as the Los Angeles Galaxy are at the bottom of the standings, they could be one of the next teams no longer in the running to make the playoffs.

On Saturday, September 20, the LA Galaxy host FC Cincinnati at Dignity Health Sports Park. The defending MLS Cup champions have earned all four of the regular season wins in Carson, California.

FC Cincinnati is not only vying for a top-four seed in the MLS Eastern Conference, but they are also in the contention for the Supporters' Shield. Entering the weekend, they sit just two points in the standings behind first-place Philadelphia Union.

The LA Galaxy will have to defend against a familiar phenom.

FC Cincinnati were fortunate to obtain the services of a Brazilian scoring sensation from the Portland Timbers. Evander has as many goal contributions as he does years of age in 2025. The 27-year-old has 17 goals and 10 assists on the season.

With Portland, he scored 24 goals and had 24 assists on offense between the two seasons he played for the Timbers. Evander has had success against the Los Angeles Galaxy before. Last season, the Timbers won against the LA Galaxy 4-2.

Brazilian midfielder Evander plays for FC Cincinnati. In two years with the Portland Timbers, he scored 24 goals & 24 assists
Sep 13, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) dribbles against Nashville SC defender Daniel Lovitz (2) in the first half at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

He scored twice and recorded an assist in that match. Evander also was credited in an assist in the 3-2 loss at Dignity Health Sports Park earlier in the season last year. Hopefully, the MLS All-Star midfielder doesnt' have another big game against the LA Galaxy.

After coming back from a 2-0 deficit in their last match, the Los Angeles Galaxy kept their slim playoff hopes alive by tying the Seattle Sounders 2-2 at Lumen Field. The defending champions were able to pull off the draw thanks to a pair of goals from veteran defenders Maya Yoshida and Miki Yamane.

If the LA Galaxy look to win for just the fifth time, they will need their stars healthy and productive. Midfielders Marco Reus and Lucas Sanabria missed the game against the Sounders due to lower-body ailments. Young defenders Julian Aude and Emiro Garces were sat out as well nursing foot injuries.

How to watch the LA Galaxy vs. FC Cincinnati game?

The match between these two teams can be streamed on MLS Season Pass. It is also available on both the Apple TV an Apple TV+ formats.

Kick-off is at 10:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. CT as the game will be played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Despite going unbeaten in all 16 regular season games there last year, the Los Angeles Galaxy have won just four times this season.

A loss surely puts the six-time MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy out of the playoff picture for good. A win by Cincinnati could help them leapfrog over the Philadelphia Union for the top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference.

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