Charlotte FC, Galaxy look to move up the table

Two fifth-place teams will meet for the first time this season as Charlotte FC host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night.

Charlotte (6-5-2, 20 points), fifth in the Eastern Conference, is coming off a 1-0 road win over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday. Head coach Dean Smith's team has won its past three matches in MLS play after starting the year with a 3-5-2 record. All three wins have been shutouts.

Ten Charlotte FC players have scored this season, led by forward Patrick Agyemang, who has three goals in 12 appearances in 2024 so far. Smith likes how is team is performing heading into the match with Los Angeles.

"There's something you can't see or measure; it's called momentum," Smith told reporters after the win over Chicago. "It feels like the players have a bit of momentum right now. So, while you have it, you've certainly got to make the most of it and ride with it."

The Galaxy (5-2-6, 21 points) earned a 2-2 draw in their mid-week meeting with the Minnesota United. Los Angeles has finished in a draw against three straight MLS opponents and hasn't earned a victory since a 4-3 defeat of the San Jose Earthquakes on April 21.

Head coach Greg Vanney and the Galaxy are looking to turn things around after finishing 13th of 14 teams in the Western Conference last season with just 36 points in 34 matches played.

So far, so good. Through 13 matches, the Galaxy are more than halfway to their 2023 win total of eight.

They have been led by Dejan Joveljic, who has seven goals and two assists in 11 appearances. Joseph Paintsil has contributed four goals and five assists, with Riqui Puig adding three goals and eight assists.

"With all the guys are out there, the game flows nicely," Vanney said. "Different guys are set up for chances through different parts of the game. I think the group believes what they are capable of. It's a matter of us managing those moments when there is a little bit of adversity, and sticking to the program and trusting ourselves over the long haul."