The Galaxy beat New York City FC, 5–1, in the first ever meeting between the sides in 2015. Since then, NYCFC has won four straight games against the Galaxy, outscoring them 7–1. A win on Sunday would tie the longest ever MLS winning streak over the Galaxy.
The Galaxy sat second in the West following a win at Minnesota in mid-August last season, but collapsed down the stretch, winning just twice the rest of the way. Only Dallas, Houston and Cincinnati took fewer points than the Galaxy (13) over the final 15 games last season.
Including the playoffs, New York City FC was unbeaten in its final nine matches last season (W5 D4, including shootout win in MLS Cup), the longest unbeaten streak leading to an MLS Cup win in league history. NYCFC has just one longer unbeaten run in the club’s MLS history (incl. playoffs), going 12 straight without defeat in April-June 2019 (W7 D5).
Chicharito scored 17 times last season, with only one goal coming from the penalty spot. His 16 non-penalty goals were tied for the most in MLS (w/ 3 players). His 0.83 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, led the league in 2021.
Valentín Castellanos scored in all three playoff matches he appeared in for NYCFC (suspended for Conf. Final) as well as finding the net at least once in NYCFC’s last four regular season games. His seven straight MLS appearances with a goal is the longest active streak in MLS and the longest in NYCFC’s MLS history.
