With FC Dallas breathing down the necks of the blue white and gold in the Western Conference standings, Wednesday’s six-point matchup (7:30 PT, Spectrum SportsNet) is obviously huge. The players know the stakes. Guillermo Barros Schelotto emphasized to the press following Sunday’s defeat to D.C. United the LA Galaxy needed maximum points at home vs. Dallas and Seattle this week for the Galaxy to maintain control of their own destiny.

Standing in their way is a young, hungry FC Dallas squad which will test LA’s ability to defend in transition.

What to watch

In recent weeks the Galaxy have been extremely vulnerable to counter-attacks stemming from the midfield, while both of Sunday’s goals came from lapses in concentration and poor marking from the back line.

If LA wish to contain an explosive FC Dallas which put five on Minnesota United FC over the weekend, collectively the unit has to step it up a notch.

Several unanswered questions loom. Coming off a 90 minute performance and flying cross-country with little rest, how will Cristian Pavón look Wednesday night? Also following a match in which Zlatan Ibrahimovic was denied several clear penalties, how will the big Swede look to gain separation from his opponents inside the area?

Projected starting XI

How to watch

Date/Time Wednesday August 14th 7:30 PT

Venue StubHub Center

TV Spectrum SportsNet

Streaming ESPN+

Officials

Referee Ismail Elfath

ARs Adam Wienckowski, Apolinar Mariscal

4th official Alejandro Mariscal

VAR Tim Ford