After seeing some rivals suffer setbacks on Saturday night, the LA Galaxy II can move into the Western Conference playoff positions on Labor Day night as they play host to Hartford Athletic in the first meeting between the clubs as Week 27 kicks off.

Here’s a look ahead to the action.

LA Galaxy II vs. Hartford Athletic

Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: LA 48%, HFD 27%, Draw 24%

The Lowdown: The LA Galaxy II will try to build on victory last time out as it plays host to Hartford Athletic, which is undefeated in its last two outings as it heads to California for the second time this season. Los Dos enters on a three-game undefeated run after taking a 2-0 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. on August 27 as new signing Tsubasa Endoh scored a pair of goals in his debut at Cardinale Stadium. The former Toronto FC midfielder has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances in the Championship overall in his career and adds to a strong attacking group that has been led by Preston Judd with 12 goals and four assists this season. The Galaxy II can pass Las Vegas Lights FC for seventh place in the West on Monday night with a victory, sitting a point back in the standings with a game in hand. Hartford is coming off a 3-3 draw with the New York Red Bulls II in its last outing on Wednesday night that saw Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. and Rashawn Dally each score in second-half stoppage time at MSU Soccer Park to salvage a point for the visitors. Hartford is on the edges of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, sitting 19 points out of the playoff places, and would be eliminated if it fails to take victory, but the visitors will be looking to put in a strong performance and do a favor to the other teams chasing the postseason out west.

Spotlight Players
LA Galaxy II – Preston Judd: The 23-year-old forward has scored 29 regular-season goals for Los Dos since joining them prior to the start of the 2021 season and will look for his latest landmark against the Athletic’s defense.

Hartford Athletic – Danny Barrera: The veteran playmaker notched an assist against the Red Bulls II to move closer to the half-century mark for his career but has not registered an assist in nine prior games against Los Dos.