February 25, 2026; Carson, California, USA; Sporting San Miguelito goalkeeper Jose Calderon (26) (centre left) and LA Galaxy forward Joao Klaus (99) (centre right) compete for the ball during the second half of a Concacaf Champions Cup soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Image After each team picked up a point in their MLS season opener, the Los Angeles Galaxy will play Charlotte FC when the two teams meet in Carson, California on Saturday.
The Galaxy were held to a 1-1 draw at home against New York City FC on Sunday, but it was a day after Charlotte FC was held to a 1-1 draw against St. Louis City.
The two sides got busier as the Galaxy advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup tie with a road goal advantage following their home/road matchup with Panama’s Sporting SM. The MLS side held the Central American side to a goalless draw against Carson on Wednesday, resulting in a 1-1 aggregate draw.
Through two Champions Cup matches and one MLS match, Los Angeles has scored just two goals in total. The low total is not surprising.
“We’re trying to prepare as much as we can physically this week to keep our players as healthy as possible,” Galaxy coach Greg Varney said. “We probably spent less time on the tactical part in the second half of the pre-season to get the players as physically prepared as possible.”
Joao Klauss scored less than 90 seconds into the regular season against NYCFC. The Brazilian makes his debut for the club after scoring a total of 25 goals over three seasons with St Louis City.
Charlotte FC got an equalizer from Pep Biel in the 73rd minute of last weekend’s opener. The Spanish midfielder currently has a permanent deal with The Crown after spending the past two seasons on loan at the club from Olympiacos in Greece.
Following two road games to open the season, Charlotte FC will play its fifth straight home game. Charlotte FC does not play an away game at its home stadium after Saturday until April 18.
“The positive thing about going into the L.A. game is that we went into one game and were undefeated,” Charlotte coach Dean Smith said. “There is a lot more we can do better. In my review of the (St. Louis City) game on Monday, I showed the players a ton of things they can do better individually and collectively.”
–Field level media
