Union set sights on finally knocking off Galaxy

The Philadelphia Union have gone more than 11 years without defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy and strive to end the long drought when the teams meet on Saturday night at Carson, Calif.

That 2-1 road win on July 4, 2012, marks the only time the Union have defeated the Galaxy. Philadelphia is 1-8-3 against Los Angeles.

The teams haven't met in more than four years. Former Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals in the 2-0 win on April 13, 2019.

The Union (10-6-4, 34 points) lost 2-0 at Atlanta United on Sunday and are just 1-2-1 over their past four matches.

Philadelphia was without top-flight defender Kai Wagner (hamstring) against Atlanta in addition to star goalkeeper Andre Blake and defender Damion Lowe. Blake and Lowe remain away from the club while playing for Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"We were a little disjointed in Atlanta," Union coach Jim Curtin said. "For whatever reason, they played with a little more urgency, intensity -- whatever word you'd like to use -- and we got beat.

"That's a good reminder that if you're not on top of your game on the road, you can get punished, and we look forward now to having a better team performance against the LA Galaxy."

Los Angeles (4-9-7, 19 points) is in the midst of a six-game unbeaten stretch (2-0-4) after producing a 2-1 victory over fierce rival Los Angeles FC on July 4 before 82,110 fans at the famed Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

All-Star midfielder Riqui Puig scored the tiebreaking goal in the 73rd minute and assisted on Tyler Boyd's goal earlier in the match.

"I love pressure. I love playing these games," Puig said afterward. "I love playing derbies against big teams. And I'm honestly very happy."

Galaxy coach Greg Vanney was impressed with Puig's all-around effort.

"Given the moment, given the stadium, the amount of people, the spectacle, he was outstanding," Vanney said. "When he picks up the ball and shifts and changes directions and accelerates through the lines, it's a different speed."

Philadelphia defender Jakob Glesnes was added to the MLS All-Star roster on Friday. He joins Union midfielder Jose Martinez on the team.

--Field Level Media