Verdict: Joao Klauss to score anytime
Best Odds: 29/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Marking their return from March’s fortnight interval this weekend, LA Galaxy will welcome Minnesota to California in the early hours of Sunday.
La Galaxy
Starting with the hosts, while LA Galaxy might have extended on their Champions Cup adventure last month as they secured a routine 6-0 aggregate win against Jamaican outfit Mount Pleasant, Greg Vanney’s camp have endured another downbeat domestic rut. Once again showing some real inconsistencies since opening up the 2026 campaign, the California based outfit have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this season. Only registering five points in as many MLS appearances so far this year, LA Galaxy could have an uphill battle on their hands in the race to punch a play-off finish in the Western Conference. With their worrying start underlined by a 4-1 drumming against Colorado on March 8th, Vanney’s side will be desperate to claim a much-welcomed boost here.
LA Galaxy Team News
Still sidelined with a long-term knee injury, former Barcelona youngster Riqui Puig will once again miss out in California. Suffering a reported hamstring injury last month, LA Galaxy are also expected to be without Ghanian international Joseph Paintsil.
Enjoying a stellar start to life in California and notching five goals in as many MLS appearances, new recruit Joao Klauss will lead Vanney’s attack. Now in his third campaign in the MLS, former Borussia Dortmund superstar Marco Reus will partner Klauss in the final third.
Minnesota United
As for the visitors, while Minnesota might have opened up the 2026 campaign regarded as a standout contender to claim another play-off ticket in the Western Conference, Cameron Knowles’ side have drastically failed to find their feet. Last seen heading into March’s international break with a 0-0 stalemate at home against Seattle, the Loons have registered just a single win from any of their first five MLS appearances. Coming under real scrutiny last month as they slumped to a woeful 6-0 drumming at the hands of Vancouver, Minnesota have shown some worrying issues at both ends of the pitch. Along with already shipping 11 MLS strikes this season, Sunday’s guests have also notched just a single strike in almost 300 minutes of action.
Minnesota United Team News
Dealing with a reported muscle injury prior to March’s fortnight interval, Minnesota are once again expected to be without New Zealand veteran Michael Boxall. However, completing a shock move to Saint Paul ahead of the 2026 campaign, Colombian icon James Rodriguez should make a third appearance for the Loons.
Completing a permanent move to Allianz Field back in February former Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender will start between the sticks. Notching a pair of MLS strikes in his first five appearances, Italian striker Kelvin Yeboah will lead the line in California.
LA Galaxy vs Minnesota United Key Factors to Consider
- When LA Galaxy last welcomed Minnesota to California back in October 2025, Sunday’s hosts clinched a 2-1 victory.
- Both LA Galaxy and Minnesota have registered a single win from their first five MLS appearances this season.
- The red-hot Joao Klauss has registered five goals in as many MLS appearances.
- Minnesota have shipped 11 goals in their five five domestic appearances this season.
- Each of the last 11 straight meetings between LA Galaxy and Minnesota have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Two camps who are desperate to kickstart their respective campaigns this weekend, Sunday’s opponents certainly have a habit of producing plenty of drama when they meet. While LA Galaxy might have clinched a 2-1 victory when they last welcomed Minnesota to California back in October, each of their last 11 consecutive meetings have finished with both teams finding the net. With the Loons shipping 11 goals in their first three MLS showdowns outside of Saint Paul, chances could come thick and fast in the early hours of Sunday.
Verdict: Joao Klauss to score anytime
Best Odds: 29/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet