Greg Vanney believes the mentality within LA Galaxy's squad is in the best place possible as they aim to cement their place in the playoffs on Decision Day.
Vanney confident LA Galaxy can take care of business on Decision Day
LA Galaxy are yet to confirm their spot in the playoffs, but a positive result against Real Salt Lake this weekend will get them there.
The Galaxy are seventh in the Western Conference but are among a cluster of teams hoping to reach the postseason, including this weekend's opponents, Real Salt Lake.
Just three points separate the Galaxy and Minnesota United in 12th, with the likes of the RSL, Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers all in contention.
A win for Vanney's side will seal a top-seven finish, but a draw could also be enough, though they would need to rely on one of Portland, Colorado or Seattle to drop points.
The Galaxy did their chances the world of good with a 4-1 win over Austin FC last time out, but Vanney is expecting a difficult test at America First Field.
"It was good. I think some of that becomes the group of players we have as well. They take care of some of those moments and some of the business," he said.
"Guys are now starting to fit into their roles and starting to connect. I could say we didn't have a great day, but we still were able to win 4-1, and that's good.
"That means for us when we have a great day, we can be really good. So, we've got to keep building towards that. We've got to make sure we keep that.
"We've got to make sure as we go in that we have all that edge ready to go because it's going to be a team playing for their life at home, which makes for a tough opponent."
RSL are one of the sides chasing a spot in the playoffs, with a 2-1 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend not helping their cause for a spot in the postseason.
Ousseni Bouda and Benji Kikanovic struck early in the first half, and even though Juan Manuel Sanabria equalised before the break, they were unable to find an equaliser.
"We shot ourselves in the foot in the first 15 minutes of the game," RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni said of his team's defensive lapses against San Jose.
"The focus when you start raising your hands in the midst of a play is that your brain is not projecting what might happen thereafter.
"Even when it wasn't going well, even when tactically it was a little bit off, or technically we were losing cheap balls, the reactions were great, and the endeavour was great."
With three points on Saturday, combined with one of Portland, Colorado, or Seattle dropping points, RSL will seal their spot in the playoffs, and Mastroeni is feeling optimistic.
"Realistically speaking, we put ourselves in a position, which is a great position, which is just to have to win at home," Mastroeni added.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Saba Lobjanidze
Lobjanidze provided an assist for RSL's only goal in their defeat to San Jose last Saturday.
It was his fourth in 13 games with RSL after not recording any in 13 matches with Atlanta United this year, and his new team will be hoping he can continue that run this weekend.
LA Galaxy – Emiro Graces
LA Galaxy have improved defensively from last year, having only conceded 55 goals this year compared to 66 last year.
Graces has been key, with the fourth-highest tackle success rate of any player who has won 30 or more tackles, with a 75.6% tackle success rate this season.
MATCH PREDICTION: RSL WIN
LA Galaxy have a record of W23 D13 L18 in regular-season play against RSL, including only losing one of the last eight encounters (W4 D3 L1). This is a home game for RSL, though, and the Galaxy have not managed a win in Utah since June 2024.
But the Galaxy continued their good run of form that has put the team on the brink of sealing a playoff spot. A win over Austin made it four straight games undefeated (W2 D2). They also had four different goalscorers in the victory.
RSL, meanwhile, ended a run of four games undefeated (W3 D1) with a defeat to San Jose, conceding twice in the first 17 minutes. It was only their second loss in their last seven regular-season matches after losing six of the previous seven.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 46.7%
Draw – 26.4%
LA Galaxy – 26.9%
