LAFC are all set to play host to fellow Western Conference club Houston Dynamo at BMO Stadium.

The Black and Gold sit in second place in the Western Conference table with 47 points, just five points behind rivals LA Galaxy with three games in hand. Steve Cherundolo will want his side to continue winning ways after their 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders in the US Open Cup semi-finals to keep their place atop the West.

All signs are pointing to Cherundolo utilizing the 3-4-3 setup that plays into the skills of players like Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz who can break away on the counter-attack at any given moment. New signing Olivier Giroud — who joined on a free transfer from AC Milan — opened his LAFC account in the Leagues Cup final defeat and could take on his first start vs the Dynamo.

Here’s how Cherundolo’s side could lineup against the Dynamo.

---

GK: Hugo Lloris – No questions here. The former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper has been solid for the Black and Gold, keeping nine clean sheets upon his arrival last winter.

CB: Jesus Murillo – Murillo starts on the right side of the backline and he could have his work cut out for him against Franco Escobar and Ibrahim Aliyu.

CB: Maxime Chanot – The veteran defender keeps his place in the center of the back three in between Murillo and Long.

CB: Aaron Long – Like Murillo, Long will have to be on his game against Houston’s explosive players in Amine Bassi and Latif Blessing.

RWB: Sergi Palencia – Cherundolo might look to stick with Palencia down the right-hand side after his impressive showings in Leagues Cup.

CM: Timothy Tillman – Timothy could make his first start since returning from injury replacing Atuesta — who hasn’t been at his best in recent matches.

CM: Ilie Sanchez – Sanchez provides cover in front of the backline and mops up any loose passes in the middle of the park.

LWB: Ryan Hollingshead – After getting the chance to rest vs Seattle, Hollingshead returns to the mix.

RW: Mateusz Bogusz – The versatile youngster gets the nod out on the wing in place of Cristian Olivera, providing better hold-up play for the likes of Giroud and Bouanga.

ST: Olivier Giroud – LAFC’s talisman leads the line after finding the back of the net for the first time as his new club.

LW: Denis Bouanga – The MLS reigning Golden Boot winner will have his sights set on adding to his 16 goals scored to lead LAFC to victory.

---