LA Galaxy being off this weekend but that's not a bad thing

Entering the last weekend of September, the Los Angeles Galaxy sit atop the Western Conference standings with 58 points and essentially a bye this week as they do not play until Wednesday October 2nd. Regardless of the scheduled games this weekend, the Galaxy are not in danger of losing control of first place.

There is some hungry competition just a couple of wins of catching up, however. All three teams below the LA Galaxy in the standings play on the road Saturday. A loss earns no points, and a tie would only net each team one point.

Only five points separate the second-place team, currently Real Salt Lake, from seventh place, which is the Vancouver Whitecaps at this time. Galaxy fans can sit and watch their team rest up after playing three games in a ten-day span (2-0-1).

The Galaxy's one loss was on the road against the Portland Timbers, 4-2. The final scores of their pair of wins were also 4-2 against LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

To further assist the LA Galaxy's goal of earning home field advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, a few things could happen this week to help get the five-time MLS Champions there.

What would help the Los Angeles Galaxy this weekend?

As mentioned, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and LAFC are all on the road this Saturday. Even the Galaxy know how much of an edge it is to be playing at home as they are undefeated at Dignity Health Sports Park this year.

LAFC is one of two teams who won't play their 30th game this season until Saturday. The regular season wraps in about three weeks on Saturday October 19th.

The in-city rivals of the Galaxy face off against one of the toughest soccer clubs in the Eastern Conference and all of MLS, Cincinnati. Both teams are nearlu identical when it comes to their goal differential.

Both squads have scored 52 goals this year, but LAFC has allowed one more than Cincinnati. Prior to their 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City, LAFC went 0-2-3 in their five games prior. LA Galaxy fans are hoping their rival's winning ways are limited as they close out the season.

Colorado travels to Minnesota United FC, who is also another playoff contender. Minnesota is vying for a potential Wild Card spot as Colorado is aiming for one of the top spots in the West. The Rapids sit eight points behind the LA Galaxy.

Even if the Rapids pull off the win, the Los Angeles Galaxy could halt their climb in the standings as the two teams play next week. With a win then by Greg Vanney's soccer club, the Galaxy can add to the distance between them.

Lastly, Real Salt Lake is the other team nipping at the Galaxy's heels. They have the second-best goal differential in the Western Conference. They look to catch up to the Galaxy by winning on the road against Austin FC.

In the current standings, fifth place Houston Dynamo are on the road at sixth place Seattle Sounders. The two teams are one point apart. Both squads are still at least ten points behind the LA Galaxy.

It has been almost fifteen years since the last time the Los Angeles Galaxy earned the top seed in the Western Conference. Despite having the best record that year, the team failed to win the title. They did win it the following year.