San Diego vs LA Galaxy preview
2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Snapdragon Stadium
Regular Season
STANDINGS
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| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
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| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
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Promotion
Promotion Playoffs
Relegation
Data last checked: Aug 30
CONTEXT
San Diego defeated LA Galaxy 3-1 in a match where the home side led 1-0 at halftime. San Diego recorded 2.33 expected goals against LA Galaxy's 1.0, with a differential of 1.33. Despite holding only 44 percent possession compared to the visitors' 56 percent, San Diego secured the victory. A red card was issued to the home team during the contest. The stronger team according to pre-match assessment prevailed as the winner. The outcome aligned with the expected goals distribution. Second half adjustments included red card distortion effects on the flow of play.
TL;DR
-
Structural deviation: Final score: San Diego 3-1 LA Galaxy. San Diego showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
-
Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with performance metrics for both sides.
-
xG alignment: The final result proved consistent with the xG distribution of 2.33 to 1.
-
Market alignment: The match outcome aligned with available market indicators.
-
xG expectations: San Diego posted 2.33 xG while LA Galaxy finished with 1.0 xG.
-
Event impact: Second half adjustments centered on red card distortion during the match.
-
Red card distortion: The home team's red card introduced measurable distortion to game dynamics.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)
Quality vs Volume
Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11
Open Play vs Set Play
Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%
Expected Points
| Team | xPts |
|---|---|
| Home | 1.8 |
| Away | 1.2 |
ℹ️
Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Fouls / Match
Referee
30.32
League Avg
0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee
4
League Avg
0
Red Cards / Match
Referee
0.36
League Avg
0
Penalties / Match
Referee
0.36
League Avg
0
B. Mayo
1st Assistant
•
0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Red Cards / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Penalties / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
F. Mariscal
2nd Assistant
•
0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Red Cards / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Penalties / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
A. Yaya
4th Official
•
0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Red Cards / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
Penalties / Match
Referee
0
League Avg
0
1.2
Avg Points / Game
(Last 100 Matches)
1.1
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Colorado Rapids
Rank: 63
W
Portland Timbers
Rank: 62
L
Los Angeles FC
Rank: 73
W
Minnesota United
Rank: 64
D
Dallas
Rank: 67
W
Colorado Rapids
Rank: 63
L
Avg Points / Game
(Last 6 Matches)
1 i
Last 6 Opponents
CF Montréal
Rank: 58
D
SJ Earthquakes
Rank: 63
W
Houston Dynamo
Rank: 65
L
Dallas
Rank: 67
D
SJ Earthquakes
Rank: 63
D
St. Louis City
Rank: 66
L
2
Head to Head
(Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 0 - 0
0
Team Power Ranking
iWhat is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
67.41
61.48
0 (Weakest)
100 (Strongest)
Metric
San Diego
LA Galaxy
Power Score
67.41
61.48
League Position
11
12
Global Rank
340
529
Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted
Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.
–
vs
San Diego
—
Opponent-weighted form score
LA Galaxy
—
Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts)
Draw (1 pt)
Loss (0 pts)
San Diego LA Galaxy
Heatmaps Ball coordinates
Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.
–
vs
Loading…
San Diego
Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Own half density —
vs season average —
LA Galaxy
Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Own half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.
Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence
Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.
San Diego
vs
LA Galaxy
Created
Set-piece attacking threat
San Diego
LA Galaxy
Set-piece xG Share
Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
26%
Goals per Match
Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00
0.00
vs Expected (xG)
Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.60
vs
-0.10
Conceded
Set-piece defensive exposure
San Diego
LA Galaxy
Set-piece xGA Share
Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
10%
Conceded per Match
Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00
0.00
vs Expected (xGA)
Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.10
vs
-0.60
San Diego
LA Galaxy
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG
Counter / Transition Attack & Defence
What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.
–
San Diego
vs
LA Galaxy
Attack After Winning
Possession transition → offence
San Diego
LA Galaxy
Goals per Match
Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match.
↑ better
—
Shots per Match
Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match.
↑ better
—
Dangerous Attacks
Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match.
↑ better
—
Transition Efficiency Index
Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition.
Higher = stronger on the counter
San Diego
0.00
LA Galaxy
0.00
Defence After Losing
Possession loss → defensive exposure
San Diego
LA Galaxy
Goals Conceded
Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match.
↓ better
—
Shots Conceded
Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match.
↓ better
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded
Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match.
↓ better
—
Vulnerability Index
Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks.
Lower = better transition defence
San Diego
0.00
LA Galaxy
0.00
San Diego
LA Galaxy
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score
PRESSURE INDEX
Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.
- LAG had peak pressure around 91'.
- SDL started the game with stronger pressure.
SDL Pressure
LAG Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index:
LAG reached the top pressure at 91' (95.92).
Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons
Summary of 2 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.
San Diego
SDL
Home
2
matches
LA Galaxy
LAG
Away
Match Record
2
Wins
0
0
Draws
0
0
Losses
2
Goals
4
Goals Scored
1
1
Goals Conceded
4
+3
Goal Difference
-3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0
Data last updated: 2026-08-30T00:48:52+00:00
STARTING XI
Match Formation
4-3-3
Match Formation
4-2-3-1
General Information
Date & Time
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Snapdragon Stadium
Capacity
35000
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Next Match
San Diego
vs
Orlando City
League: Major League Soccer
Kickoff: Sat, 5 Sep - 11:30 PM
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium
LA Galaxy
vs
New England
League: Major League Soccer
Kickoff: Sun, 6 Sep - 1:30 AM
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park
Statistics
Possession
SDL
46%
LAG
54%
Top Statistics
3
Goals
1
3
Big Chances Created
1
5
Shots
5
27
Dangerous attacks
37
44
Possession
56
7
Corners
7
15
Free kicks
10
5
Yellow Cards
2
1
Red Cards
0
Match Overview
37
Ball Safe
47
8
Goal Kicks
8
9
Goal Attempts
7
4
Substitutions
5
18
Throwins
7
2
Successful Headers
3
3
Assists
0
10
Dribble Attempts
12
4
Successful Dribbles
6
40
Successful Dribbles Percentage
50
Attacking
60
Attacks
97
1
Big Chances Missed
1
Possession
42
Long Passes
27
402
Passes
525
348
Successful Passes
468
87
Successful Passes Percentage
89
16
Key Passes
12
20
Successful Long Passes
14
48
Successful Long Passes Percentage
52
Defensive
6
Saves
3
11
Tackles
12
9
Interceptions
4
32
Duels Won
33
Build-up
10
Total Crosses
15
3
Accurate Crosses
1
Discipline
1
Offsides
4
10
Fouls
15
Lineup
Referee :
Tori Penso
Manager ▼
G. Vanney
Coach
Starting XI ▼
6
Sergi Roberto
Midfielder56'
Substitutes ▼
41
Sebastian Conlon
Goalkeeper
88
M. Vanney
Midfielder
Events
2ND-HALF
Time wasting / 6th Yellowcard
89'
9th Substitution
87'
87'
8th Substitution
73'
6th Substitution
73'
7th Substitution
Right foot shot / 4th Goal
70'
5th Substitution
67'
4th Substitution
66'
65'
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
61'
Goal disallowed
56'
Sergi Roberto → Maya Yoshida
2nd Substitution
56'
3rd Substitution
55'
Right foot shot / 3rd Goal
1st Substitution
52'
Foul / 1st Yellow/red Card
50'
Left foot shot / 2nd Goal
48'
1ST-HALF
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
39'
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
30'
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
23'
21'
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
11'
CONCLUSION
San Diego completed a 3-1 victory over LA Galaxy after leading 1-0 at the interval. The home side converted their 2.33 xG into three goals while limiting the opposition to 1.0 xG and one goal. Possession favored LA Galaxy at 56 percent yet failed to translate into an equal share of scoring opportunities. The single red card issued to San Diego occurred without altering the final result. Outcome consistency with xG metrics held throughout the fixture. Efficiency remained aligned with observed patterns for both teams. The significant deviation recorded by the winner reflected the actual performance gap on the day.
Match Commentary