LA Galaxy should be considered one of the best teams in Major League Soccer this season. They’re the winners of the 2024 MLS Cup and ended last year’s season with 64 points and second place in the Western Conference. A look at the team’s record this season tells a different story. MLS is almost halfway through the 2025 season, and the team is at the bottom of the conference standings, with just seven points and only one win. From a points perspective, they’re dead last in the league, sitting behind Montréal with eight points. A run of bad luck and crushing injuries has led the team to a bleak start to the season.
The bad luck for the California team started before the 2024 season ended. Riqui Puig, a top midfielder for the team, tore his ACL during the Western Conference final against the Seattle Sounders last year. He’s not expected to be available for the rest of this season, as he continues to rehabilitate. This takes a major player and someone considered the brain of the team out of matchday contention. In 2024, Puig was responsible for 17 goals and 12 assists. Forward Joseph Paintsil was also sidelined before the season started. He reportedly got a quad injury during the preseason. Thankfully for the team, he returned at the end of March. He’s also helped put the team on the board with one goal and one assist.
Dejan Joveljić was traded over to Sporting KC for $4 million during the off-season. The forward recorded 44 goals and 18 assists in just four seasons with Galaxy. He’s credited with scoring the game-winning goal in the team’s 2024 MLS Cup Championship win against the New York Red Bulls. Since going to Kansas City, Joveljić has recorded nine goals and one assist. California native Mark Delgado was also traded, moving just across the city to Los Angeles FC. He’s had four goals and four assists with the team. Right now, goal scoring is all the Galaxy is looking to achieve.
The Galaxy might have shots on goal during most of their matches, but they aren’t able to get many into the net. In the team’s last seven matches, they’ve had 24 shots on goal. Only seven of those shots made it to the scoreboard. The team also has the worst goal differential in the league, at -21. The frontline needs some chemistry. Newly drafted Christian Ramírez is looking to take over the role as a top offensive player for the team. As he tries to integrate with his new teammates, forwards Gabriel Pec and Paintsil are still looking to bring back the momentum that got them through 2024.
While the team is still facing problems, Galaxy fans still have something to celebrate this week. The team recorded its first win after facing Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy had the lead early on, with new midfielder Lucas Sanabria scoring his first goal for the club at the start of the first half. Joseph Paintsil doubled that lead after the half. The defense was able to keep a clean sheet, leading the team to a 2-0 victory. Head coach Greg Vanney, who led the team to last year’s MLS Cup Championship, says that the team is starting to regain its health. They’re now looking to jump-start their season.
I think Galaxy’s win is something for fans to celebrate. There’s been a major turnaround in May, after the team started the month losing 7-0 against the Red Bulls. Despite all the positives, there are still some negatives to consider. Real Salt Lake isn’t considered one of the better teams in the league. The team currently sits in 13th place in the Western Conference, with only four season wins and 15 points. Galaxy’s rough start also highlights a weakness many teams have; falling apart as soon as one player is on the bench.
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