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3 non-negotiable starters for LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo

These three players have to start for LA on Saturday night to give the Galaxy a win

ByScott Conrad|
Saturday's game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo is crucial for the playoff contenders. The Galaxy, fourth in the Western Conference, aims to secure three points against a weaker rival.
Saturday's game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo is crucial for the playoff contenders. The Galaxy, fourth in the Western Conference, aims to secure three points against a weaker rival. | Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/GettyImages
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Saturday's matchup for the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Houston Dynamo has major importance for the playoff hopefuls. The Western Conference's fourth best team is looking to get back on track and earn three points against mediocre rival.

Currently at 5-7-2 (22 points), head coach Greg Vanney is searching for the team's first win in over a month. Thier last win game on April 21st against San Jose, 4-3. In the five games since then, the Galaxy have only been able to score four times (0-4-1).

Vanney and company can't settle for ties, especially the scoreless ones. The LA Galaxy have experience two of those in the month of May. Thus, the necessity to score should be stressed in assembling the starting lineup.

3 non-negotiable starters for LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo

Ricard Puig
Los Angeles Galaxy v San Jose Earthquakes | Bob Drebin/ISI Photos/GettyImages

3. Ricard Puig

The 24-year-old Spaniard has been a huge contributor for the LA Galaxy offense. On the season he has three goals and eight assists. In fact, in the last three contests, Puig has recorded three of those eight passes directly leading to a goal.

The Galaxy not only rank fourth best in the West right now, their 25 team goals and 18 team assists are also tied for fourth best, but in the league. In seven of the 13 games for LA, Puig has tallied either a goal or an assist.

The midfielder will be called upon to produce for an ailing offense that is in desperate need of a win if the Galaxy look to stay in the upper echelon of the Western Conference Table. Now in his third season with the team, Puig has already matched his season high for assists.

In his tenure with the LA Galaxy, Puig has played in 52 games, starting in all but two of them. His career passing percentage in MLS is above 88% and he has yet to be given a red card.

This level of production and discipline is needed for LA to win against Houston on Saturday night.

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