Los Angeles Galaxy opened the MLS season with a 4-3-3 system. They won the opener and four others with it. The only change was vs. FC Dallas, where the team used a 4-2-3-1. They lost.
So the Houston Dynamo naturally prepared for that formation on April 20, with their own brand of 4-3-3. But out of nowhere, the LA Galaxy pulled a 4-1-4-1 out of their playbook.
The last time they showed this line-up was against the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2018. They won that match 3-0.
The Galaxy had studied the San Jose Earthquakes using the 4-1-4-1 against Houston the previous week.