Match Preview: Union Aim to Capitalize on Winless LA Galaxy
Union Seek First Galaxy Win Since 2012
Chester — After drawing 2-2 with Columbus Crew over the weekend, the Union (7-3-2, 22 pts) now turn their attention to facing LA Galaxy (0-9-3, 3 pts), the only team in MLS yet to win a game this season.
The Galaxy are coming off a humiliating 7-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls, marking the worst start in league history as the first MLS team to go winless in their first 12 games. This is particularly shocking for the defending MLS champions.
The Galaxy have been plagued by injuries this season, with star wingers Joseph Paintsil missing six games and Gabriel Pec missing three, while midfielder Riqui Puig recovers from ACL surgery performed in December 2024.
The Galaxy also traded away multiple key players to fit under the 2025 salary cap: Gastón Brugman to Nashville, Jalen Neal to CF Montréal, Mark Delgado to LAFC, and Dejan Joveljić to Sporting KC.
No team in MLS has conceded more goals this season than the Galaxy (28). They’re the only team without a clean sheet, and their -20 goal differential is the worst in the league (followed by D.C. United’s -12). Offensively, the Galaxy have scored eight goals, tied for the second fewest in the league, and have been shut out in three of their last five games.
This game screams a typical trap game, one that would be disappointing if the Union earned anything less than a win. Twelve games into the season, it feels harsh to call any match a must-win this early, but this truly is for the Union if they want to keep pace with Columbus Crew (7-1-4, 25 pts) and FC Cincinnati (8-3-1, 25 pts). The Union have done well to win the games they’re expected to this season, but wouldn’t it be “that so Union” if they didn’t come away with three points?
The Union seem due for a win against the Galaxy, with their first and only victory coming on July 4, 2012, when Michael Farfan scored a late winner in the 95th minute.
The Union have been much stronger at Subaru Park this season than last, boasting a 4-1-2 record with 14 goals scored and only six conceded. They’ve scored the first goal in five of their seven home games, holding a 4-0-1 record when doing so.
With a midweek game, rotation is expected, particularly among forwards and centerbacks, positions that have been rotated often in recent weeks. Last week, Bruno Damiani and Tai Baribo started together for the third time this season. Against Atlanta, Damiani and Mikael Uhre started; against D.C., Uhre and Baribo; against Montréal, Chris Donovan and Baribo. With Ian Glavinovich and Neil Pierre still injured, Bradley Carnell is limited at centerback, with Harriel filling in there three of the last four weeks.
Andre Blake Injury Update
The most pressing question is who starts in goal. Andre Blake has missed the last two matches (U.S. Open Cup and MLS) due to a knee injury, giving Andrew Rick the start. When asked after the Columbus game for an update on Blake, Carnell was visibly upset and refused to comment, focusing only on the game just played. The question was fair, as Carnell had said after the Indy Eleven match that he was sure Blake would be fine for Columbus. Clearly, that wasn’t the case.
On Tuesday, before the LA Galaxy game, Carnell said Blake remains questionable due to fluid buildup in his knee, adding, “Hopefully, it’s not too much longer now.”
If Blake misses the Galaxy game, it would mark three straight games sidelined by this knee injury and his fourth overall this season (he missed NYCFC due to an adductor injury).
Series History (MLS Play Only)
The Union and LA Galaxy have faced off 13 times in league play, with the Union trailing 1-9-3. They are 0-3-2 at Subaru Park against the Galaxy, with their last home game on July 21, 2018, when CJ Sapong scored the Union’s lone goal.
The most recent matchup was on July 8, 2023, with the Galaxy winning 3-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. Tyler Boyd opened the scoring in the 15th minute after outpacing Jakob Glesnes. Mikael Uhre tied it at 1-1 in the 36th minute after collecting Glesnes’ rebounded shot. The Union conceded a corner-kick goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, going down 2-1. Riqui Puig scored from distance in the 76th minute to seal the 3-1 Galaxy victory. The Union finished with 11 shots, only two on target, while Andre Blake made five saves.
One current Union players has scored against Galaxy: Mikael Uhre (1). For Galaxy, two current players have scored against the Union: Diego Fagundez (4) and Christian Ramirez (1).
Player Availability Report
Philadelphia Union
Ian Glavinovich - Knee (Out)
Neil Pierre - Knee (Out)
Andre Blake - Knee (Questionable)
LA Galaxy
Joseph Paintsil - Thigh (Out)
Gabriel Pec - Hip (Out)
Riqui Puig - Knee (Out)
Where to Watch
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. EST, May 14.
Video credit: Philadelphia Union