By Cal Meachem
Matchday 24's Walmart Saturday Showdown features the high-flying New England Revolution visiting the LA Galaxy , who are looking to push towards the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs field.
Apple TV
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT
Dignity Health Sports Park | Carson, California
Match Trailer | LA Galaxy seek spark vs. New England Revolution
Standings
13th in Western Conference
26 points (6W-9L-8D)
Last game
The Galaxy fell 3-1 at Southern California rivals San Diego FC last Saturday.
Chucky Lozano found the back of the net against his old club, and fellow summer signing Sergi Roberto debuted off the bench.
Players to watch
Sergi Roberto: The Spanish midfielder enjoyed a storied career with FC Barcelona before spending the last two seasons with Como in Italy's Serie A.
Chucky Lozano: After joining LA on loan from rivals San Diego, the Mexican international scored his first goal for the Galaxy last weekend.
Joseph Paintsil: The Ghanaian international winger has tallied 10 goal contributions (5g/5a) this season.
Marco Reus: The legendary German midfielder leads LA in goal contributions (11) and assists (seven).
Need to know
Only three points below the playoff places, the record six-time MLS Cup champions are facing pressure to start picking up points, especially at home this weekend.
Can a busy summer window help turn things around?
Head coach Greg Vanney is banking on it after the club signed Roberto, Lozano, Kyōgo Furuhashi and more before the Secondary Transfer Window closed on Wednesday.
Standings
4th in Eastern Conference
37 points (11W-7L-4D)
Last game
The Revs are unbeaten in three straight games, most recently dispatching the Columbus Crew , 3-1 , last Sunday.
Matt Polster and Dor Turgeman each scored in the victory, while club legend Carles Gil posted one goal and two assists.
Players to watch
Carles Gil: The 2021 Landon Donovan MLS MVP and five-time All-Star again leads New England's attack, producing a team-best 16 goal contributions (8g/8a) this season.
Jack Harrison: New England's latest DP signing has made an immediate impact, tallying six assists in five total matches.
Peyton Miller: The US youth international is in the midst of a breakout campaign, with 4g/4a in 20 matches.
Matt Turner: The USMNT goalkeeper has posted the fifth-most saves in MLS this season (87).
Need to know
New England have turned plenty of heads during head coach Marko Mitrović's first year in charge.
The Revs are currently sixth in the Supporters' Shield standings and fourth in the East, holding onto the conference's final home playoff position.
With Gil playing at an MVP-caliber level, flanked by wingers Harrison and Miller , the Revs look to be a tough out for any opponent.
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This one is a virtual toss-up, with LA earning 41% of the market compared to 35% for New England. Maybe a road victory awaits the Revs?
Market insights shared are current as of Friday, Sept. 4 at 9 am ET.
