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Which will fare better for the LA Galaxy on Sunday, the offense or the defense?

Following a 0-0 tie against Seattle, Los Angeles will face Real Salt Lake this weekend

By Scott Conrad

After a 0-0 draw last week, the LA Galaxy seek both goals and three points as they host league leaders Real Salt Lake, with just a two-point difference in the standings.
After a 0-0 draw last week, the LA Galaxy seek both goals and three points as they host league leaders Real Salt Lake, with just a two-point difference in the standings. / Shaun Clark/GettyImages
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After last week's 0-0 tie, the LA Galaxy look to net just more goals, but three more points in the MLS Table. They will host first place, Real Salt Lake as just two points separate the teams in the standings.

The Galaxy offense has not scored in their last two games after scoring seven in the two previous ones. To make matters worse, their opponent on Sunday has only allowed nine goals on the season.

So which side of the field needs to produce more?

The Galaxy will have to defend against the likes of Cristian Arango and Andres Gomes. The second-year forward, Arango, has nine goals and eight assists in his squad's 11 games. Gomez has also added four goals and three assists for Real Salt Lake.

Keeper John McCarthy has only allowed eight goals in the last six games. Two of those six games were shutouts, both against Seattle. He will need to play strong behind the defense to limit the Real Salt Lake attacks.

Miki Yumane, Julian Aude, and Maya Yoshida are going to have to be a force. They are facing a team with a plus-9 goal differential and winners of three in a row.

READ MORE: FC Barcelona wants to sign LA Galaxy's Riqui Puig for bargain fee

We know the Galaxy can score and score in bunches, 21 goals on the year. Yes, stars like Dejan Joveljic, Joseph Painstil, and Ricard Puig will be called upon to produce against Real Salt Lake. Scoring big and early like they have done before could help take pressure off the aging Los Angeles Galaxy defense.


Another shutout or poor showing by the Galaxy would create more distance between them and first place in the Western Conference. That's why this game is the perfect opportunity for the offense to rise above and put the ball in the goal like they are accustomed to.

Paintsil, Puig, and Marky Delgado all have four assists on the season for LA. Look for those totals to increase as three or four goals from the Galaxy are possible, even against a skilled defense from RSL.

Prediction: LA Galaxy win, 4-2.

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