Steve Cherundolo has urged Los Angeles FC to control their emotions when they face the LA Galaxy in an El Trafico clash that could decide the top seed in the Western Conference.

LAFC sit four points adrift of the Galaxy at the top of the West with two games in hand to come, though they have only won one regular-season match since July 5.

Cherundolo's team did beat the Galaxy 2-1 when the sides last met in April, though, and he says his team must keep their cool at Dignity Health Sports Park if they are to take three points.

"It's another great setup and matchup and I'm looking forward to it," Cherundolo said. "There's always things going on in this game, there's always emotion spilling over.

"They're always tight matches and I hope that our ideas will be effective and implemented well by our players. 

"That needs to happen over 90 minutes, not just for 45 minutes or 60 or 70. Then I think we could come away with something tangible."

The Galaxy, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 at St. Louis City last time out, their first loss in MLS play since they went down by a 2-0 scoreline at FC Dallas in mid-July.

Head coach Greg Vanney believes Saturday's game will be decided by fine margins.

"This is a high, high level game, it's what it's all about. They're obviously a very good team and have different ways that they can catch you and beat you," Vanney said.

"They're a tough defensive team as well. When you're playing the highest level of games in our league it becomes about details and moments.

"That's what these games become about. You hope during the course of the season you get better and better and tighten up on some of those things, learning a bit about each other."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Nine of Pec's 11 goals and eight of his 11 assists in regular-season play in 2024 have come in home matches. 

Only Lionel Messi (19) has more goal contributions in home matches than Pec's 17 in 2024.

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga 

Bouanga has scored six goals in six career matches against the Galaxy in all competitions. 

No player has scored more against the Galaxy in all competitions since Bouanga made his LAFC debut in September 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW 

LAFC have won six of their last eight matches against the Galaxy in all competitions (two losses) including each of the last three. 

LAFC had won just three of the first 15 editions of El Trafico (five draws, seven losses). They have, however, only won one of their last five regular-season matches, drawing two and losing two.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, have won 10 of their last 11 regular-season matches at Dignity Health Sports Park (one draw) including the last eight in a row. A point may be the best the visitors can hope for, even with their strong record in local derbies.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 33.7%

Los Angeles FC – 40.6%

Draw – 25.7%