After a decade of near-total dominance, the NFL's Western Conference has lost a bit of its aura in recent seasons. Only two of the previous seven American League Cup winners came from the West. The Eastern Conference has been the deepest and most successful half of the National League.
This may be about to change. Despite the headline-grabbing exploits of Inter Miami and the continuing run of FC Cincinnati, the Western Conference appears to have been reborn in 2024 and boasts a three-way battle for the top spot. Twenty weeks into the season LAFC, Real Salt Lake, and LA Galaxy are tied at the top of the West With 37 points each.
Saw last weekend Galaxy had an impressive win on the road against RSLwhile LAFC scored six goals against the San Jose Earthquakes. Here are the big questions from the weekend's events…
Can LA Galaxy win the MLS Cup?
The biggest match of the weekend saw Real Salt Lake host LA Galaxy, two of the league's elite teams. The RSL has had a strong start to 2024, leading the West for most of the year, while the Galaxy's look has been reborn with off-season additions. John Paintsil And Gabriel Beck On the wings.
Their penetrating movement helped facilitate Riqui Puig's passing range but the Spanish scheme was lacking on Saturday. However, they were able to get the job done against a well-trained RSL side, thanks to smart team movement.
After a slow start Beck has now provided three goals and four assists in his last seven matchesAn impressive return in his first season in the league. With the experience of Maya Yoshida and Mark Delgado at the backbone of the team and a plethora of attacking options, the Galaxy could make a real boost this season.
When will Chicho Arango return from injury?
RSL's rise has been driven by the astonishing form of Christian “Chicho” Arango, who tops the league's scoring charts. But the Colombian at the top of the line only managed to hold on for 21 minutes on Saturday, before suffering a bloody cut to his face during an aerial challenge.
Arango needed 15-20 stitches to his face Coach Pablo Mastrioni admitted after the match: “Cicho, it was a ridiculous cut on his head. So I'm sure he's in a lot of pain.
Without their talisman on the field, RSL have been unable to find a way to break down the Galaxy's backline, which is a concern with Arango suffering a dangerous knock. But the good news for RSL is this Arango's injury is not expected to keep him out of action for long. He may return to the team within two weeks.
Where will Olivier Giroud play for Los Angeles?
LAFC has not looked like its usual fluid self in the opening weeks of 2024 as the team has suffered the loss of long-time offensive workhorse Carlos Vela. Dennis Bwanga and Christian Oliveira He thrived on the Mexican's link-up prowess but did not receive the same from Mateusz Bogos or Kai Kamara.
But that appeared to change on Saturday as a free action LAFC beat the Earthquakes 6-2With goals from Bogoch, Bwanga and Kamara. The latter scored his 146th goal in the American League, but he will not maintain the starting position for long.
Once he completes his international exploits this summer with the French national team, veteran striker Olivier Giroud will join Los Angeles and is expected to lead the line from the start. He may not have the mobility of an elephant however Giroud should be the ideal pivotal striker for Bouanga in the match. The Golden Boot winner has taken some time to get going in 2024, but now that he has scored 13 goals in MLS, he could be an outside bet to retain his scoring title this year.
