February 22, 2026; Carson, California, USA; LA Galaxy forward Joao Klaus (99) celebrates after scoring a goal against New York City FC with teammate forward Gabriel Peck (11) at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Image With the Los Angeles Galaxy looking to iron out some of the inconsistency in their MLS match, Sporting Kansas City will be out to provide every possible outcome when the two teams meet in Carson, California on Saturday.
With a busy schedule early in the season, the Galaxy are doing their part in CONCACAF Champions Cup play, but are 1-1-1 (4 points) in MLS play. They won 3-0 against Charlotte FC, but lost 4-1 at Colorado last Saturday.
The four-goal loss was a major blow to the Galaxy’s revamped defence, which had conceded just two goals in four games in all competitions before the Rapids exposed their backline.
Los Angeles bounced back with a 3-0 win over Mount Pleasant of Jamaica in the Champions Cup on Wednesday, with Gabriel Peck scoring all three goals. Pec’s partnership with new striker Joao Klauss is showing promise. Klaus has scored four goals in three MLS games.
“Gabe continues to grow and is finding ways to break into the offense and make plays,” Galaxy coach Greg Varney said. “We haven’t always had strikers who can play like Joao and I think it gives us something a little different and gives Gabe different pieces to work with.”
Sporting KC (0-2-1, 1 point) is tied for last place in the Western Conference in the early going, with former Galaxy forward Dejan Jobeljic scoring just two goals.
Sporting KC opened with a 3-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes and lost 1-0 at home to San Diego FC last Saturday. Only the Portland Timbers have allowed more goals in the Western Conference than SKC’s six.
Midfielder Lasse Jonsen is expected to make his Sporting KC debut. The Norwegian joined from Swedish side Malmö FF last month and has been training with his new team for a week after finally canceling his visa.
“I don’t think we need to change. Lasse is a player who can help us do what we want to do better.” Sporting KC coach Rafael Wicki said: “He is a very calm player and technically very gifted. We may have to move a few positions, but that was the plan from the beginning.”
–Field level media
