Steve Cherundolo is full of confidence in his Los Angeles FC team as they prepare to take on Real Salt Lake for the second time this week.

LAFC return to BMO Stadium after an emphatic 4-1 demolition of Sunday’s visitors on the road last time out, with Son Heung-min netting his first MLS hat-trick.

Occupying fourth spot in the Western Conference, Cherundolo’s side have racked up eight goals in their last two games, having lost just once in their last eight outings in all competitions.

LAFC will be eyeing a playoff berth as they enter the home stretch of their regular season calendar.

"We absolutely want to carry this momentum forward. We have six games left, and I think we can win all six. We are going to start thinking about just this one game for now," said Cherundolo. 

"I think mentally we are in a good spot. Hopefully, we will enjoy a successful outing on Sunday night.

"Accomplishing everything we do as a collective is enough for this group to be successful as a group. As long as this group stays connected and is on the same page, we are a very difficult team to beat."

Meanwhile, Salt Lake will be looking to mount a playoff challenge of their own as they bid to climb from 10th in the Western standings.

"Our biggest opponent is ourselves. LAFC are a great team, they are flying at the moment," said Pablo Mastroeni.

"The belief the guys have in themselves, is what gives me belief as a coach."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

While all eyes will, once again, be on Son following his Player of the Matchday display on Wednesday, Bouanga’s influence this season has been pivotal. The forward has registered 25 goal involvements (19 goals and six assists) in MLS.

Finding the net against Salt Lake last time out, Bouanga has scored five goals in his last three games, and is just two goals away from equalling last season’s tally.

Real Salt Lake City –Zavier Gozo

At just 18 years of age, Gozo scored his fourth goal of the season on Wednesday. All other players in RSL history combined have scored four league goals prior to their 19th birthday (Luis Gil – three, Freddy Adu – one).

The United States Under-20 international has had a hand in six goals so far this term, having registered two assists in addition to his four goals in 23 appearances in this season’s MLS.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC scored at least twice in each of their first seven home meetings with Salt Lake in all competitions, but have found the net only once across the last two.

They have now bagged four or more goals in back-to-back league games for just the fifth time in their history, and the first since October 2023.

Meanwhile, RSL recorded their highest expected goals of the season (2.89) in Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat — their biggest xG in a regular-season loss since Opta began tracking the stat in 2013.

Mastroeni’s team will be aiming to improve on recent results, having lost four of their last five MLS games, conceding 12 goals in that time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 62.5%

Draw – 19.9%

Real Salt Lake City – 17.6%