Our MLS prediction is in

Austin FC has done a good job producing results against its rivals this season, and now we’ll get to see how it fares against the top team in the Western Conference.

The Verde & Black welcome the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday at Q2 Stadium for a rare afternoon game with a 12:45 pm start time in what could be a high-scoring game with Austin FC’s strong home form on offense and the Galaxy’s star-studded attack .

Here’s what you need to know about the match as the Verde & Black look to use momentum from last week’s win at Houston for their third straight win at home:

Defense will be tested

Money may not buy you love, but in soccer it can certainly buy you wins.

That’s been the case with the Galaxy this year, as after an offseason of spending big, they’re now one of the best teams in the league following a 13th place finish in the West in 2023.

Los Angeles shelled out more than $19 million to acquire wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil from their former clubs in Brazil and Belgium, and it’s translated into one of the top offenses in the MLS.

The Galaxy have 21 goals in nine matches, with striker Dejan Joveljic’s six goals leading the team.

When you add midfielder Ricard Puig — who played at world power FC Barcelona before joining the Galaxy in the middle of 2022 — to go along with Joveljic, Pec and Paintsil, it gives Los Angeles the league’s most dangerous attack outside of the 2019 FC Barcelona squad that now wears pink and plays in south Florida. (Note: Inter Miami has four former Barcelona players, including Lionel Messi.)

Austin FC’s defense has generally been good this season — outside of the San Jose game — but needless to say, it will be tested time and again Saturday. In particular, outside backs Jon Gallagher and Guilherme Biro will need to have good performances if the Verde & Black are to claim three points.

“(The Galaxy has) put up good numbers and have some things that we have to be aware of,” Austin FC coach Josh Wolff said in his weekly meeting with the media Thursday. “They’re a very fluid attack and a very dangerous attack.”

Center back Julio Cascante returns for the match after serving a one-game suspension against Houston for yellow-card accumulation. Expect him to return to the starting lineup and be a part of the backline along with center back Brendan Hines-Ike and Gallagher and Biro, while center back Matt Hedges and outside back Zan Kolmanic should make appearances in the second half.

More: Austin FC defender Brendan Hines-Ike has hit the ground running for El Tree

Offense will have chances

With MLS rules essentially preventing the construction of super teams — unless you’re LAFC general manager John Thorrington, who appears to be the league’s salary cap wizard — there has to be a price, both literally and figuratively, to the Galaxy’s collection of offensive talent .

And that would be its defense, which has allowed 15 goals, and is in the bottom third of the MLS.

Wolff noted that the Galaxy’s backline has been vulnerable at times this season, which is something that Austin FC’s attack of Sebastián Driussi, Jader Obrian and Diego Rubio will need to exploit.

“We have to find the opportunities to challenge them,” Wolff said. “We have to be responsible with the ball and aware of how we can hurt them and have a level of control in the game.”

Strange kickoff time

The early start time should play into the Verde & Black’s favor.

It’s a morning kickoff for the Galaxy on West coast time, and Los Angeles also just played on Sunday and will presumably be flying in Friday.

“It’s a time adjustment, but out guys should be prepared,” Wolff said. “We train every morning, so I don’t see it affecting our guys.”

Midfielder Dani Pereira said it won’t be much of a change for the players.

“I usually like to stay up late the night before games and sleep in late to not have too much time before the match,” said Pereira, who sported a new bleached hair color Thursday. “It will just mean going to bed earlier.”

Owen Wolff questionable

Josh Wolff noted that midfielder Owen Wolff, who missed the Houston game with an ankle injury, is questionable for the game.

Owen Wolff was in training during media availability Thursday, but still expect Ethan Finlay to start as right-side winger with Obrian being on the left.

Fagundez?

The acquisitions of Pec and Paintsil have made the storyline of former Austin FC player Diego Fagundez returning take a backseat, as he now comes off the bench for the Galaxy. We’ll likely see Fagundez at some point in the second half, but there’s the possibility he doesn’t step on the field.

Pereira with new look

Pereira noted there was no particular reason for his new hair game, with the color resembling that of winger Emiliano Rigoni’s.

“I’ve just been wanting to do it for a while,” he said. “The team seems to like it, and Josh told me to do it a while back.”

Josh Wolff jokingly referred to Pereira as “Sisqo,” as the midfielder now slightly resembles the musician from the early 2000s.

Austin FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy prediction

Austin FC 3, Los Angeles Galaxy 3 : Austin FC should receive a boost of energy from the win in Houston, but the Galaxy have already scored at least three goals five times this season. Expect Driussi and Joveljic to have good games and the scoreboard to be quite active.