LA Galaxy vs Herediano Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups | CONCACAF Champions Cup

LA Galaxy vs Herediano Preview

• Tournament: CONCACAF Champions Cup
• Date: 13th March 2025
• Kickoff time: 02:30 AM GMT
• Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park

It is LA Galaxy vs Herediano in the Round of 16 Second Leg in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The two sides had a closely fought first leg with the Costa Rican side winning 1-0 with the lone goal coming in the second half.

LA Galaxy are on a 4-match losing streak and need to go all-out attacking from the very start. They have to overcome a 1-0 deficit and know that they cannot afford a draw at home.

LA Galaxy come into the game after a 3-0 loss to St Louis City and will be desperate for a positive result. They are at the rock bottom of the MLS Western Conference and will be hoping to beat the Costa Rican side and take the momentum into the league.

Herediano are coming into the game after losing their match in the Primera Division over the weekend. They were beaten 2-1 at home by LD Alajuelense but have a good record overall this season.

They were leading the league table until the weekend but the loss saw them slip to 2nd – with Puntarenas taking a 1-point lead at the top.

LA Galaxy Team News

Mauricio Cuevas has been out with a thigh issue since February, while the fitness of Emiro Garces is being monitored ahead of the game. Matheus Nascimento and Miki Yamane also have a thigh issue while Joseph Paintsil has a quad problem and is out for a couple more weeks. Riqui Puig picked up an ACL at the end of last season and is not close to returning. Lucas Sanabria is ruled out with a fractured collar bone.

Herediano Team News

Aaron Cruz is out with a leg injury while Yendrick Ruis has a broken shoulder, so he will be on the sideline as well. John Jairo Ruiz and Jose Gonzalez have an unknown issue and will join Joseph Balanos for a late fitness test ahead of the match.

LA Galaxy vs Herediano Predicted Lineups

LA Galaxy Predicted Lineup (4-5-1)

Goalkeeper: John McCarthy
Defenders: Harbor Miller, Emiro Garcés, Maya Yoshida, John Nelso
Midfielders: Edwin Cerrillo, Marco Reus, Ruben Ramos Jr., Julián Aude, Gabriel Pec
Forward: Christian Ramirez

Herediano Predicted Lineup (4-5-1)

Goalkeeper: Danny Carvajal
Defenders: Haxzel Quiros, Juan Luis Perez, Emerson Bravo, Yurguin Roman, Keyner Brown
Midfielders: Darril Araya, Sergio Rodriguez, Allan Cruz, Elias Aguilar
Forward: Marcel Hernandez

LA Galaxy vs Herediano H2H Record

LA Galaxy have faced Herediano thrice in history and the two sides have won once each. The first meeting took place in 2013, which was a goalless draw in Costa Rica followed by a 4-0 win in the United States for the MLS side.

However, Herediano managed to get their first win of the MLS season from the West Coast last week. The Costa Rican side's captain, Elias Aguliar, scored the lone goal just after the hour mark to help them pick up the win.

Key players to watch in LA Galaxy vs Herediano

Marco Reus (LA Galaxy)

Marco Reus will be the experienced figure on the pitch for LA Galaxy, and the fans will hope that he can help them turn things around. However, he has yet to score or assist this season in the league after three matches.

Elias Aguilar (Herediano)

Elias Aguilar was the hero in the first leg and will be the one to keep an eye on this week as well. He scored the lone goal of the previous clash and could get on the score sheet again.

LA Galaxy vs Herediano Prediction

LA Galaxy is expected to turn this around. The Costa Rican side will be looking to defend the lead instead of attack at the start, which could help the MLS side get their first win of the season and move into the next round.

Prediction: LA Galaxy 2-0 Herediano

Where to watch LA Galaxy vs Herediano live?