'May the odds be ever in your favor,' LA Galaxy

Just like that, the balance of power in Orange County, California has shifted. The Los Angeles Galaxy now enter Sunday's match against Minnesota United FC as the heavy favorite to win their sixth franchise MLS Cup.

Saturday night, the fourth-seeded Seattle Sounders FC pulled off the unthinkable. The Western Conference's top seed fell as they were eliminated, 2-1, AET in the first of the two Western Conference Semifinal games this weekend.

In the Eastern Conference, all three top seeds fell as well. Inter Miami, Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati failed to make it out of the opening round. The Los Angeles Galaxy remain in the postseason and will be the top seed overall as long as they keep winning.

Winning is what Head Coach Greg Vanney has in mind for his offensive powered LA Galaxy. The team was the first in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot. They did so on September 14 when they came from behind against LAFC to win, 4-2.

That type of resiliency shown is that of champions. LA Galaxy's offense clicked on a cylinders in their opening round against the Colorado Rapids. They swept the seventh seed in two games, winning 5-0 and then 4-1.

The odds have changed and improved for the Los Angeles Galaxy

According to USA Today, the Los Angeles Galaxy are the heavy favorite to win on Sunday. The chart above shows the odds. With LAFC being wiped off from the playoff bracket by the Sounders, the Los Angeles Galaxy are the favorites.

The Galaxy field four players this season who scored at least ten goals. Dejan Joveljic, Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil all accomplished this feat as it has never been done before.

The team also set history with having a pair of newcomers, Pec and Paintsil, score ten goals and record ten assists, as well. Both players were signed this past winter as Puig, Joveljic and company failed to make the playoffs in 2023.

The team has had a significant turnaround. Goalkeeper John McCarthy is also a new addition to the squad this year. The Los Angeles Galaxy went from winning just eight contests last season in the regular season to winning 19 this one.

The combination of having a healthy Julian Aude return to the lineup and the mid-summer acquisition of Marco Reus have been key for the Galaxy's success. Their presence in the locker room and on the field has been felt and makes this Western Conference juggernaut a very deep soccer club.

As long as the Galaxy do not follow in the footsteps of their cross-town rival, LAFC, they are well on their way to their record tenth MLS Finals appearance and sixth MLS Cup title. The last time they made it that far is when they won it all in Landon Donovan's last full-time season with the team.

Should the Galaxy win Sunday, they will host the Seattle Sounders next weekend. The winner faces off against a lesser rated Easter Conference representative.

So, yes! The odds are (more) ever in the favor for the Los Angeles Galaxy.