Our prediction for this MLS match:
All eyes will be on Dignity Health Sports Park when Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles FC face each other in the local derby on Wednesday morning. LA Galaxy continue life without injured ace Javier Hernandez Chicharito and, in his absence, a man to watch in the home team will be former Juventus and Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa. Both Zavaleta and Neal are on international duty, whereas Caceres and Rodriguez miss out with injuries.
The title holders, on the other hand, failed to impress in back-to-back losses to Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas. Carlos Vela is widely expected to return to the starting XI, whilst defender Aaron Long is representing USA at the 2023 Gold Cup finals. Anyhow, both teams to score betting option should be considered as both sides are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in the Los Angeles derby. The likes of Murillo, Palencia, and Crepeau are injured for the away team.
Highlighted Player (Jorge Villafaña):
Jorge Villafana is an American footballer who began his senior career at Chivas USA. Villafana was born in Anaheim, California on September 16, 1989 and he played for the likes of Santa Ana DSP Juventus and Chivas USA during his youth career.
Nowadays, the American footballer plays for Portland Timbers, but it has to be noted that he made no more than eight appearances for the club in the 2018 season. In 2015, though, Jorge Villafana did well to win the MLS Cup in 2015 and three years later he clinched the Liga MX trophy (Clausura) with Santos Laguna.
Speaking of his international career, the Portland Timbers man made his full USA debut in a friendly against Serbia on January 29, 2017. Over the years Villafana has established himself as a first-choice left-back in the national team. His main position is left-back, but he is capable of playing as a left midfielder as well. The USA international has a dual citizenship (USA, Mexico).
Highlighted Team (Los Angeles FC):
Seeing that Los Angeles FC will be competing in Major League Soccer from the 2018 season, the club chiefs did well to reinforce the squad. Several high-profile players joined the club in the winter of 2018, with Mexican ace Carlos Vela being the biggest name to sign a deal with LAFC.
The new expansion team will host their rivals at Banc of California, the stadium which is planned to be opened on April 29, 2018. The venue should hold up to 22,000 spectators. Los Angeles FC will be coached by Bob Bradley in the 2018 MLS campaign and they will be wearing black and gold kits in the USA professional soccer league. Speaking of their bitterest rivals, there will be fireworks when Los Angeles FC face LA Galaxy in the Major League Soccer.
District 9 Ultras and Black Army 1850 are considered the club's biggest supporters groups and it has to be noted that they used to support Chivas USA. Los Angeles FC were founded on October 30, 2014.