What do LA Galaxy need to make the playoffs? Schedule, points, rankings

LA Galaxy continued their late push for a playoff place with an impressive comeback to draw 2-2 with Western Conference leaders St. Louis City.

The Galaxy went 2-0 down in the opening half hour but got back into the game early in the second half, thanks to a Riqui Puig penalty. The game swung in the Galaxy’s favour on the hour mark when St. Louis’ Samuel Adeniran was dismissed for a second yellow card.

New signing Billy Sharp scored with less than ten minutes remaining to secure a point for the Galaxy and extend their promising recent record.

Can LA Galaxy make the playoffs?

Soccer is often called a ‘game of two halves’ but LA Galaxy have experienced a season of two halves in 2023. They began their MLS campaign with just two wins from their opening 14 fixtures, leaving them stranded at the foot of the Western Conference.

But head coach Greg Vanney has managed to transform their fortunes since then, and the Galaxy have now recorded just one defeat in their last 12 MLS fixtures.

After Sunday’s draw LA Galaxy sit 13th in the East, second from bottom, and seven points adrift of the guaranteed playoff spots. However they are only four points away from FC Dallas in 9th, in the final Wild Card berth.

LA Galaxy schedule

The Galaxy still have eight fixtures remaining but need to overtake six teams to secure a spot in the 2023 MLS Cup. Of those eight matches, five of them come against teams that they need to overtake to make it into the automatic playoff places.

They still need to play seventh-placed Minnesota United home and away. The Galaxy will finish their MLS regular season campaign against FC Dallas, who currently occupy the final Wild Card slot.

It’s crucial period for a team who have made the playoffs just once in the past five season. Speaking after the game on Sunday Greg Vanney said that he has been impressed with his side’s resilience this year.

“There’s a lot of things that have come out of this stretch,” Vanney said, reflecting on his side’s good form in recent months.

“They’ve taken a lot of punches over the course of the season, between guys getting injured and other things going on and around. But they’ve remained resilient. We keep finding ways to get results.”