The LA Galaxy is still looking for positive momentum after a 1-1 draw in the Cali Clasico on Saturday night. LA’s winless run extends to four games as the G’s sit in 11^th place in the Western Conference. This result could’ve been a lot worse, considering how the events of the match played out.

The 105^th meeting between the two sides should’ve seen LA on the scoreboard first, with Joseph Paintsil having an early one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper. He missed the chance and immediately regretted how he dealt with that chance.

Paintsil made up for his missed chance by opening the scoring in the 13^th minute. This was the Ghanian’s fourth career goal against the Quakes. Paintsil struggled to make a real impact in his last two games, but came to life against the opponent he scored his first career MLS goal against.

The Quakes got their goal to level the game in the 63^rd minute via Reid Roberts. LA struggled to clear the ball from the box, and Roberts finished a loose ball at the far post to level the game for the home side.

San Jose had the chance to win it after getting a penalty deep into stoppage time. Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski tripped over Ousseni Bouda and gave the home side the golden opportunity to win. Timo Werner stepped to take the penalty, but Marcinkowski guessed right and saved the shot.

The former Quakes goalkeeper had his moment of the season to rescue LA from three consecutive defeats.

“I think it salvaged a lot of energy in the group and a lot of emotion in the group to get out of there with at least the point at that moment,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney postgame.

“I was just trying to make up for the little bit of mistake that I made, and I think our team deserves at least a point tonight, if not more,” said Marcinkowski about his late-game penalty save.

Marcinkowski grew up coming to Cali Clasico games at Stanford Stadium, and now he’s represented both sides of the rivalry game. He spent seven years with the Quakes and is in the midst of his second season with the LA Galaxy.

But his standout moment will be in LA Galaxy colors and making the clutch penalty save to prevent the home side from completing the comeback. According to FotMob, Marcinkowski prevented 1.6 goals on the night.

It wasn’t the ideal result for the Galaxy, but it prevented a whole lot more pressure from being added to the group.

“When you put a performance like we did tonight on the road in a bit of a tough environment, it always shows some character. It shows some grit. It shows some tenacity that I think we need to carry into every game,” said Marcinkowski.

Vanney also made an effort to compete and not let the away atmosphere remove layers from his squad.

“I just thought the desire to compete and fight. Third game in the week for us... I thought the guys just dug really deep and showed a lot of character and battled,” said Vanney.

“Right now, we just have to take every point that we can and keep fighting.”

LA has a week to recalibrate and work on its mistakes in its first week of action. FC Dallas won’t be an easy test, but give the G’s a chance to show their improvements in front of the home fans.

"There's no doubt in my mind that this team has that fire,” said Marcinkowski.

“[It] has that grit to continue to succeed and work our way up the standings."

The LA Galaxy’s retool of the roster took a notable step forward with the acquisition of Kyōgo Furuhashi. The Japanese striker joins the club from Birmingham City and will not occupy a Designated Player roster slot. The former Celtic star will be part of the G’s until the end of the 2030-31 season.

With Joao Klauss injured and Mathues Nascimento departing the club, striker has become a glaring need on the roster. LA’s used Marco Reus and Joseph Paintsil on those postions but it’s not something natural for them. With the addition of Furuhashi, the Galaxy has a player who can fill that void for the rest of the season.

How he got on LA’s radar

The Japanese footballer made his name during his time at Celtic FC from 2021 to 2025. Furuhashi scored 86 goals in 167 appearances for the Scottish side, establishing himself as one of the most lethal scorers in the SPL.

He joined Rennes in France and made just six appearances for the club in the 24/25 season. Furuhashi spent last season with Birmingham City, but that stint was underwhelming, with just three goals in 31 appearances for the club.

His value is not as high compared to his Celtic days, which gave the Galaxy the perfect opportunity to snatch him at a better value.

Analyzing his Playstyle

Furuhashi’s main attribute that made him lethal in Scotland is his movement inside the box and the elite poaching instincts he has to get to the end of a cross or pass. At 5’7, he isn’t going to outmuscle center backs or be dominant with his back to goal. He needs to be faster at reading spaces and using anticipation to get a head of the defender to create an advantage.

When analyzing his time at Celtic, the way Furuhashi ends up scoring goals with one touch is the major theme. He finds himself in the high xG areas (right in front of the net) often due to his movement and reading of space.

LA needs a striker who can read the game and analyze the movements of his teammates in real time to get in the right positions. Greg Vanney’s system is based on off-the-ball rotations and making the right decision to either open up space for others or take advantage of it yourself.

Watch any of Furuhashi’s goals, and you can see he is a great fit for this style of play. He’s agile enough to be elusive when marking, and his willingness to make the run off the shoulder to attack or open space will benefit everyone around him.

What’s most impressive about his Celtic days is the ability to score in the smallest of angles. The Japanese striker’s finishing in just one touch or in the tightest of angles makes him an elite presence in the box.

Closing Take

Should he find space, you will see Furuhashi flourish. If not, he’ll see a repeat of his time in France and England. It’s that simple to track if Furuhashi succeeds in Los Angeles.

LA adding another playmaker on the roster helps in the quest to get Furuhashi going. As mentioned earlier, he relies on a lot of getting and finishing service. He’s not the type of player who will make an impact by touching the ball in the middle of the opposition’s half. He needs someone who can pull the strings and provide that line-breaking quality to put the ball in dangerous areas in the box.

Furuhashi’s playstyle is almost the exact opposite of that of current striker Joao Klauss. The Brazilian’s future isn’t guaranteed, unlike Furuhashi, who is signed until the end of the 2030-31 season. Should the Japanese succeed in this second half of the season, the writing will be on the wall for Klauss’ future.

The Galaxy still has a DP and U22 roster spot open this summer. These next major additions should provide more clues on how LA will operate and if Furuhashi will have a good chance at succeeding in MLS.

The LA Galaxy’s return to the 2026 MLS regular season began with a stunning loss to rivals LAFC. The Black and Gold won 3-0 at Dignity Health Sports Park in the first El Trafico of the season.

Mark Delgado opened the scoring in the 26^th minute for LAFC. The former Galaxy midfielder scored his second goal of the season and celebrated in front of the home fans.

LA struggled to find an extra gear in the attack and LAFC would soon double its lead. Justin Haak took down Denis Bouanga in the box during an attempted clearance. It was called for a penalty, and Bouanga scored from the spot.

The Black and Gold added another hurdle to the G’s with Son Heung Min scoring his first MLS goal of the season and the third of the match.

The Galaxy never found its attacking spark to challenge LAFC and left the pitch with their heads down. It was the first time since Aug. 2025 that the LA Galaxy failed to record a goal in a match.

“We lost today to a team that executed better than us on the day… They executed their plan. They stayed low. They made the game very difficult for us. We did what we can’t do, which is gift goals in a game like that,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney about the performance.

Haak added that he and the rest of the team were let down by what happened on Friday night.

“This was definitely not a step in the right direction,” said Haak.

“I think nobody is proud or happy with how that game went. We all expected much, much more, but that’s something that we have to learn from and do better.”

With no focal point in the box and lacking the physicality to tussle with center backs, LAFC’s game plan to sit in a low block and counter was the best way to frustrate the G’s.

Marco Reus couldn’t get many touches in the box, Paintsil was forced to make passes backwards every time he reached the final third, and no midfielders crashed the box effectively.

“They came in, they sat in the lower block, obviously recognizing we don’t really have a nine… We were passing the ball, but we weren’t getting anywhere. We weren’t creating attacks. We didn’t build speed into our attacks,” said Vanney.

With Gabriel Pec no longer on the team, Joseph Paintsil has the duty of playing on the right side of the pitch.

Paintsil excelled on the right side at his former club Genk before joining the LA Galaxy. Since making the move to MLS, Vanney has used the Ghanaian as an inverted left winger. It’s worked to get him attacking the backline, but now his role has shifted to doing that on the right.

55% of LA’s attack came down the right side of the pitch, and even Head Coach Greg Vanney mentioned that the ball was being forced too much in the direction of Paintsil.

“We really overplayed one side,” said Vanney regarding the first-half build-up.

“I felt like it just became so predictable that it was easy for them to organize the defending over on that side. Joe… it was hard for Joe to build speed because it was just so dense over there.”

Haak chimed in on the attack approach and agreed that the ball was forced to many times down the right side.

“I think we try to force the ball too much to Joe in slower moments. I think we got the ball to him a little bit slow, so they already had two players in front of him, which isn’t ideal. You want Joe running 1v1,” said Haak.

The loss to LAFC highlights even more the roster issues the Galaxy have that make them an easy opponent to gameplan against. This result is a gut punch, but it may not mean too much if LA can get it together in the coming games and add reinforcements to the roster.

St. Louis comes to town on Wednesday night and provides the Galaxy the chance to take the bad taste from this game away.

Gabriel Pec is leaving the LA Galaxy and joining Cruzeiro in Brazil, according to multiple reports. According to The Athletics’ Tom Bogert, the transfer fee is around $12 million and $1.5 million in potential add-ons. Multiple outlets are reporting that the 25-year-old will complete his medical over the weekend.

The winger made 101 appearances across all competitions for the G’s. His departure ends a two and a half season stint with the Galaxy that began with one of the most exciting arrivals the club has seen in recent years.

Pec joined the LA Galaxy ahead of the 2024 season and immediately made an impact, winning MLS Newcomer of the Year in his debut campaign. His combination of pace, dribbling, and technical ability made him one of the most exciting wide players in the league alongside the dominant attack of the LA Galaxy. He recorded 43 goals and 24 assists across all competitions for the G’s.

He was a key part of the Galaxy’s 2024 MLS Cup championship on the right wing, and his role in the team grew every week. His 2025 season saw a dip in form alongside the team’s wider struggles, before a resurgence in 2026 that included strong performances in the Concacaf Champions Cup and a return to the kind of form that made him one of MLS’s most sought-after attacking players. He has 11 goals and four assists in 20 games played across all competitions this campaign.

Pec’s upcoming departure leaves a significant hole in the Galaxy’s attack. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one and create chances from wide areas gave Greg Vanney an attacking option that is difficult to replace directly.

After having players like Kevin Cabral and Douglas Costa disappoint on the wings, Pec brought back that excitement and attacking presence that had been missing from Dignity Health Sports Park. His solo goal against Minnesota United in the MLS Cup playoffs will be the goal that he is best remembered for during his time in Los Angeles.

The timing of the move adds an extra layer of complexity for Vanney as he looks to navigate the second half of the season. Mathues Nascimento and Mauricio Cuevas have moved to different clubs in the last few days, marking some major shakeups on the teams’ depth charts.

The LA Galaxy’s attack had built its playstyle on attacking through Pec on the right side of the pitch. 43% of the G’s attacks have come down the right side this season, according to data from Whosocred.com.

Pec’s technical ability and instincts made him easily adjust to this style of play, not to mention how his pace and dribbling added to his attacking arsenal. He leads the team in minutes played in MLS with 1,211 and in goal contributions with nine in 14 games.

He returns to Brazil a mature player and one who knows what it takes to win. Pec’s time with the LA Galaxy. He will leave the LA Galaxy with his legacy etched in the 2024 MLS Cup trophy.

Mauricio Cuevas is leaving the LA Galaxy after three years with the club, joining Santos Laguna in Liga MX for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old made 12 appearances in MLS this season for the G’s before the move was confirmed. His departure closes a chapter that began when he joined the Galaxy academy at 13 years old.

Cuevas signed with LA Galaxy II in 2019 and briefly joined Club NXT, Club Brugge’s developmental squad, in 2022 before returning to the Galaxy the following year. In three seasons with the first team, he recorded three goals and 13 assists across 78 appearances in all competitions.

General Manager Will Kuntz paid tribute to the East LA native in a club statement. “This is a bittersweet occasion. Mauricio is emblematic of everything that the Galaxy Academy stands for: a fierce competitor, a great professional, and an exceptional teammate with a passion for his local community,” said Kuntz.

“We are immensely proud and excited to watch him as he takes this next step in his professional journey.”

Cuevas was part of the Galaxy’s 2024 MLS Cup championship squad but played just 330 minutes that season, largely serving as a depth option behind a settled backline. His role grew significantly in 2025 with 24 appearances, 791 minutes, two goals and three assists. He established himself as a genuine option at right back for Greg Vanney.

He entered 2026 with momentum and an expectation of more starting opportunities. The reality didn’t quite match. His appearances became sporadic, his crossing, one of the most dynamic elements of his game when he gets forward, lost some of its sharpness, and the defensive side of his game has always been the area opponents targeted. There hasn’t been a major leap in those deficiencies in his game.

What made Cuevas interesting as a player was always his attacking influence. When he was able to get into the final third and deliver from wide areas, he looked like a player capable of contributing at a high level in MLS. The question throughout his Galaxy career was whether the rest of his game could catch up to that attacking quality. It never fully did, and that may be part of what makes a move to Liga MX the right next step.

Santos Laguna finished bottom of the Clausura last season and has struggled to recapture the form that made them one of Liga MX’s prominent clubs in the early 2010s. For Cuevas, that context represents an opportunity to play consistent minutes, rebuild his confidence and develop the parts of his game that still need work away from the pressure of defending MLS Cup champions.

He’s a product of one of MLS’s best academies, and carries the foundation of a player who can still make good on the promise he showed coming through the ranks. Santos gives him the chance to find out.

With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).

Love: Adiós Memo

Players who define a generation hold a special place in the hearts of football fans. Mexican Goalkeeper Memo Ochoa falls into that category without a doubt.

The iconic hair and spectacular performances at World Cups have made him a fan favorite across the globe. It was only fitting that his football farewell happened at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It’s the arena in which he made his career debut and where the final chapter of his career took place.

The roars of the crowd when Ochoa entered the pitch late in the second half were those of admiration and celebration for a country icon. He didn’t make a single save, but the crowd cheered each time he cleared the ball away.

As I wrote with Maya Yoshida’s farewell game in Japan, it’s hard to always have the perfect send-off in football. Everyone rarely celebrates a player’s achievements for one last time with no baggage. Ochoa got that moment, and it was beautiful to see one of my childhood idols feel the appreciation that he deserves.

Loathe: Steve Clarke

An inspiring manager is key to really making a team run through a wall. In Scotland’s case, I don’t know how the team can stand manager Steve Clarke.

Following their 3-0 loss to Brazil in Miami, Clarke was pretty blunt about the team’s chances of advancing as one of the best third-place teams.

Aside from Clarke saying he believes the squad is going home, the rest of his interview was full of short answers and expressing his disappointment with his players.

Clarke is free to have his opinions, but it’s clear to most people that the tactics of the squad are the real reason for this lackluster performance. Scotland has some genuine quality in their squad, and there is really no need to play so conservatively in the attack.

If I were a player in that locker room, I’d be wanting this to be the last game Clarke managed. He’s not inspiring, and he’s not the type of leader who deserves to have the incredible support of the Tartan Army.

Love: Brazil is getting better

On the other side of that result, Brazil is getting better with each passing match. Carlo Ancelotti is making progress with Seleção at the right time.

The scoreless draw with Morocco at the start of the group stage was worrying. The lack of creative flair and chemistry was obvious for all to see. The Hati match provided a good bounce back, but it was expected. The win over Scotland saw more creativity and a good performance for all 90 minutes.

The most important thing is that Vinícius Jr. is in the form of his life for Brazil. The Real Madrid star has been so inconsistent with Brazil, but with Ancelotti in charge, he’s playing his best football at the World Cup.

Neymar made an appearance late in the game. He obviously was a step behind the rest, but this gives the fanbase a moment to appreciate Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer.

This doesn’t mean that I think Brazil is going to make a deep run. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, but this is a good step in the right direction for one of the premier football nations.

Loathe: South Korea’s Performances

Watching Lee Kang-in fall to the floor as frustration and sadness take over is exactly what most Koreans were feeling. South Korea’s 1-0 loss to South Africa was one of the shocking results of the tournament as the Asian side failed to secure second place in Group A.

The performances from Hong Myung-bo’s side have been poor to watch from a team that has quality around the pitch. Aside from the second half against Czechia, there really aren’t many positives to take away from the group stage.

Son Heung-min’s fit on the team has been the main issue that’s holding the Korean side back. He’s gotten a few touches in the final third, and the team struggles to get him chances in the box. He came off the bench for Korea in their last game, but that didn’t do much to jumpstart his attacking presence.

It was a disappointing showing from a team that many thought would go through to the next round. Now their fate will be decided by how the rest of the third-place teams do.

Clip of the Day

I can’t really show anything else other than the scenes at the Azteca with Ochoa. One final goodbye for the Mexico fans at the cathedral of football.

Prediction of the Day

Ready for Chaos?

My prediction is that Group E will be thrilling until the end. Ecuador needs a win over Germany to get through, while the Ivory Coast just needs a point over Curacao to secure its spot. I can see one of these teams playing spoiler and causing the table to look pretty crazy.

With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).

Love: Oyarzabal Shows Up

It was quite the rebound performance for the 29-year-old Real Sociedad forward. After not recording a touch of the ball in the first 30 minutes of Spain’s first game of the season, Mikel Oyarzabal had two goals and an assist in the first 30 minutes of La Roja’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

Oyarzabal isn’t a name that is recognized worldwide, but he should be. The numbers back up that he’s one of the most productive players at the club and national team level.

He’s recorded double-digit goals in eight of his last nine seasons for Real Sociedad. That’s an impressive record considering the many changes that have happened at Sociedad over the years, but he’s been the main consistent thing about the club.

At the international level, Oyarzabal has recorded 14 goals and seven assists for Spain. He’s come up in big moments too, such as scoring the game-winning goal at Euro 2024. I hope that he continues to have a good World Cup and that his quality can be recognized globally.

Loathe: Belgium’s Worrying Future

One of my main takeaways from Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran is how this team will survive as a football nation. Once the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois retire, there will be no world-class footballers on the national team.

Aside from Jermey Doku, it’s hard to see who might develop into a world-class talent and be the face of the national team. The drop in quality over the years in the Belgian national team has dropped, but it’s about to fall off a cliff after this summer.

Love: Egypt Finally Shows Up

I was shocked to learn that Egypt recorded its first-ever win at the World Cup during Sunday’s 3-1 victory over New Zealand. It’s more shocking when you consider that the Egyptians have won the most Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (7).

Mo Salah scored a fantastic goal in the second half to put Egypt in front and in the driver's seat of the game. The best player in Egyptian history was part of this monumental moment to have his homeland enjoy a World Cup victory.

It’s even more important when you consider that this puts Egypt in the driver’s seat to win its group. There is still more history for Egypt to make, but today was a monumental step forward.

Loathe: Marcelo Bielsa

One of the things I’ve never understood in the soccer world is the admiration and reverence that Marcelo Bielsa gets. He’s blunt, intense, and a no-nonsense kind of coach that people gravitate to, plus his style of football keeps you on your toes. He’s a character when he gets into his passionate rants, and his quirk of sitting on a cooler is kind of funny.

But he’s not a winner.

At the end of the day, the best managers are remembered by winning. Bielsa is not in that category. His best achievement since the turn of the century has been promoting Leeds to the Premier League. Is that all it takes to be a highly revered coach? Until I see him win any significant trophy, then it might change my opinion.

Clip of the Day

Staying on the topic of Uruguay, it’s been sad to see the decline of a nation with so much history in the sport. The small South American nation has been underwhelming this World Cup. The talent pipeline also doesn’t look so promising.

Diego Godin was a solid defender during his playing days and the leader of the team in the 2010’s. He was captured on the broadcast talking to someone and basically saying that this Uruguay team has no bite.

This performance against Cape Verde solidified that idea for a lot of people. I knew once it was official that Luis Suarez retired from the national team.

Prediction of the Day

I’m really looking forward to the match between Argentina and Austria. How is the La Albiceleste going to back up its performance against Alegria versus a team that will bring high-intensity for all 90 minutes?

I don’t see Leo Messi being a goalscorer in this game, but rather a playmaker. I’m going to say he records two assists in the game. His ability to break lines with his passing has never diminished.

The World Cup moves fast, World Cup Unpacked slows it down. This is a space to dig beneath the surface of the tournament's biggest talking points, the tactical missteps, the overhyped storylines, and the things worth spending time paying closer attention to. Fair warning: this column has a point of view. These aren't neutral observations. They're opinions, and I'm standing behind them.

The headlines about Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo will run with Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance, but the problems run much deeper than that.

It’s easy for the media to make Ronaldo the scapegoat for this poor result. After seeing other household names score, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was invisible for Portugal in front of the goal.

But let’s dig deeper than the headlines.

Ronaldo isn’t the one deciding to start every game. It’s Martinez, he’s paid the big bucks to make the bold decisions to lead Portugal to victory. Ronaldo isn’t going to say no to being the starter; he may carry a lot of weight, but the manager always has the final say in those kinds of decisions.

Roberto Martinez isn’t new to international management. He was the man tasked to capitalize on Belgium’s golden generation, but all he could muster was third place finish at the 2018 World Cup. It’s not a disappointing result but you would expect to at least make a tournament final with Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku in their primes.

Portugal played a lot of crosses in their opening game of the tournament. While the Congo did sit in a low block and flood their box with defenders, Martinez set up the team to play like prime Cristiano Ronaldo was in the box.

At 41, he’s not as fast, he can’t outmuscle defenders, and don’t expect him to be as aerially dominant. This version of Ronaldo is going to poach for goals and rely on his movement in the box to get on the end of low crosses into the box. Everyone sees who Ronaldo is now except Martinez, who has his own vision of who Ronaldo is.

Martinez can make some tweaks to change the way Portugal looks for Ronaldo. If he doesn’t, that’s on him. If he wants to bench Ronaldo, he can, but I don’t see him having the courage to do that.

You can make the argument that this current Portugal side isn’t too far off from the level of talent of Martinez’s Belgium teams. The midfield is stacked with Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes all playing at world-class levels this past season. There are so many players on the roster playing for top European teams.

Talent isn’t the issue. Let’s get into tactics.

The decision to play Bernardo Silva on the right side of the pitch was highly questionable from the start. Silva is best in the center of the pitch, controlling the pace of the game as he does for Manchester City. He’s not going to provide width or verticality on the ball. It’s why Chico Conceição made such a big difference on the right side in the second half, bringing that raw pace and dribbling ability that was missing.

The midfield has talent but struggles to be effective at creating chances. Fernandes had to drop deep multiple times to get a touch on the ball and get into playmaking areas. The team wasn’t set up to look for Fernandes in the half spaces or in tight spaces where his improvisation can take center stage.

This way of playing forced him to be conservative with his passing. There was no risk-taking from the record-breaking Premier League playmaker.

Aside from that, Vitinha struggled to have the same impact he had with PSG. He set the all-time pass completion record in a single World Cup match by completing 121 passes from 128 attempted. However, no chances were created or a real individual moment to break down the opponent.

Overall, it was a disappointing showing for the most talented midfield in the tournament. Portugal’s problems don’t all land on the shoulders of Ronaldo.

This is another moment where Martinez is paid to make the decisions. As stated earlier, he’s not a stranger to managing star talent. His tactics have yet to really stand out and be real difference makers. This one result is undoubtedly a wake-up call for the team and Martinez to get it right from the start.

Viewers of this team should be more critical of the tactical setup’s effect on other players rather than on the player who’s going to average the least amount of touches in every game they play. It’s easy to blame Ronaldo if Portugal fails, but Martinez is the real architect of Portugal’s future in this tournament.

With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).

Love: The GOAT

When Leo Messi scored his third goal of the night against Algeria, it was a moment for all soccer fans to celebrate. It was like watching a superhero move, you know he’s going to save the day but still find a way to enjoy the ending you’re already expecting.

The entire world saw how Messi dominates games with ease. He doesn’t chase the game; it comes to him. He’s mastered the game where everything is simple and pure muscle memory.

Each goal he scored showed that. He created something out of nothing for his first, showed his poaching instincts to score his second goal, and finished off the night with precision on his left foot. With these goals, Messi ties Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals.

Algeria isn’t the strongest opponent, and the goalkeeping on the night was lackluster. It’s a great moment for Messi and the world to see his greatness on display, but the real memories will be made in the knockout rounds.

Loathe: Mike Grella Media Tour

Media training is a key part of footballers career. What you say to the media can always be interpreted in different ways and can become an unnecessary distraction.

Mike Grella has been a player and, more so, a media personality for CBS Sports in recent years. The former New York Red Bulls Player is making it his mission to be the most disliked man in Australia.

He stated after the World Cup draw that Australia would be a layup for the USMNT. He’s doubled down on that take in recent days and continues to play down the abilities of the Socceroos.

Whether that’s on CBS Sports or his appearances on Pat McAfee Show, Grella is giving the Australians so much bulletin board material ahead of Friday’s game against the U.S.

If this were Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, or even Jozy Altidore on Telemundo, they could get away with it because of their pedigree as players for the USMNT. Grella, on the other hand, doesn’t have that kind of pull or admiration. It feels like this “beef” is purely for clicks.

Love: Ayman Hussein moment

The roar of the crowd when Ayman Hussein scored was 40 years in the making. Iraq is the odd one out in a group with France, Senegal and Norway. Hussein deserved the moment to make his country proud.

In 2008, his father was killed in an attack orchestrated by Al-Qaeda. His brother was abducted by ISIS and hasn’t been seen since. Hussein was interrogated for seven hours when he arrived in Chicago with the rest of the team for the tournament.

That’s not an easy journey for any person. To keep going as a professional is very admirable. Scoring at the World Cup will forever be a memory for Hussein and Iraq.

Loathe: Fox Sports Studio Show

Humans have this instinct to look at tragedy. It’s always hard not to look away from a car crash. That’s the feeling I have when watching Fox Sport’s World Cup studio show with Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Alexi Lalas.

The chemistry issues are glaring. I feel for Rebecca Lowe, whose main job is to keep all three entertained. Henry is a well-respected pundit, and his analysis is on point almost all the time. Zlatan brings that ego he was known for, but I don’t get much from his analysis. And Lalas has been a polarizing figure, given his takes are very unpopular.

It reached the point today where Zlatan had to make a slight dig at his coworkers. After Landon Donovan called the French arrogant during their game, Lalas agreed with take after the game. Then, unprompted, Zlatan jumped in by saying, “Ignorant people call it arrogance while intelligent people will say it is confidence.”

Take a look at the clip, Henry’s reaction is everyone’s reaction to that quick extension. Then Lowe, with the awkward “Thanks Zlatan,” is the cherry on top for me.

I wonder how many more of these moments we will have at the tournament. We will have so many more games to go for this crew to hopefully get into a rhythm together.

Clip of the Day

Argentina’s fans made Kansas City Stadium rock for 90 minutes. The Chiefs have made that stadium a notable atmosphere in the NFL, but international soccer is a different animal.

After the whistle, the fans made sure to celebrate the moment in the stadium together. This is the kind of celebration you won’t see on an NFL Sunday.

Prediction of the Day

Yesterday was a good day for goal scorers, but I don’t today will be the same. I’m going zag when it comes to predicting goals for some of the tournament’s star players.

I don’t see Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Semenyo scoring today. I can see them picking up assists but not finding the back of the net.

In Ronaldo’s case, I’m expecting him to be very desperate to get the headlines.

With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).

Love: Vozinha becoming a cult hero

Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain has been the result of the tournament so far. The World Cup debutants frustrated Spain, the favorite to win whole thing, all game long in Atlanta. A sturdy low block was led by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha.

He recorded seven saves and prevented 1.45 goals according to FotMob. Cape Verde defended with six and committed just one foul in the 90 minutes. It the moments when Spain did get shots off, Vozinha made massive saves to keep them out of the net.

The World Cup produces heroes every edition. After this game, Vozinha's Instagram followers went from 50k to 1.5 million in the span of a couple of hours. No matter how Cape Verde’s tournament goes, this moment will always be remembered by the country and football fans around the world.

Loathe: Player Celebration

A goalscorer should have the floor to celebrate their goal, more so at the World Cup. They earned the spotlight for a brief moment and should get the camera time.

When Emam Ashour scored the opening goal for Egypt in Seattle, he should’ve been able to soak in the moment. But these teammates tackled him like it was an NFL game, and quickly he was on the floor.

Are you trying to give Ashour a concussion?

I get that this is a big moment for Egypt and taking the lead against a European country, but let’s also let the goalscorer shine.

It’s Ashour’s moment, let’s make sure he can at least remember it.

Loathe: Muslera Still?

Now, onto another 40-year-old keeper, it’s time for Uruguay to move on from Fernando Muslera. The Estudiantes is the last remaining player for the generation of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin. When I close my eyes, I still see Óscar Tabárez coaching that team. But that was the past, and Muslera needs to get out of the goal for Uruguay.

For starters, La Celeste has fully gone through a generation change. Aside from Muslera, there was only one other player over the age of 30 in the starting XI. If you’re going to use fresh blood, go all in to do that. I don’t mind Muslera being on the roster, but not as a starter. I feel the same way with Memo Ochoa and Mexico; he has his experience, but way past his prime.

I don’t want to pile on the guy, but he has to do better at not letting shots rebound out of control. I don’t want to bring back memories for my Uruguay readers, but Muslera already had this kind of moment in the knockout rounds back in 2018.

I still believe Uruguay can pose a problem during the tournament, but the goalkeeping is my major question about this team.

Love: Iran – New Zealand Match

Let’s be honest, not every game at the World Cup is going to be a salivating affair. On paper, the Iran-New Zealand game wasn’t marked on your calendars as a must-see.

But man, were you wrong to think that after the final whistle blew. The 2-2 draw between the two sides felt like a game of basketball. Both teams are having their moments, great attacking moments, and an incredible atmosphere in Los Angeles.

With the issues that Iran has dealt with (and will continue to deal with) heading into this World Cup, it was good to see them have their moments to celebrate their goals. New Zealand scoring the opener was a shocker to me, but what was more surprising was their style of play. The All Whites showed their ability on the ball and played some great possession football.

If you missed this game, I feel for you. Maybe this means that tonight’s Austria -Jordan game might deliver some fireworks.

Clip of the Day

Back to the good 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha’s masterclass is going to be remembered for years.

Here’s the video of all his saves on the night. Fun exercise for you readers, guess how many Instagram followers he has. Think of that number. Now check here. How far off were you?

Prediction of the Day

Sunday provided 19 goals across all three matches. Im going to say that Wednesday’s games will top that tally.

Mbappe, Haaland and Messi open their World Cup journeys. Their respective national teams are all strong as well. I see today bringing in the goals across every game.

With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).

Love: Japanese Belief

The Japanese National Team found a way to fight back against the Dutch twice and steal a point to open up their World Cup campaign. It was notable for two reasons.

This isn’t the strongest possible Japanese side due to the absences of Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, and Wataru Endo. All are out due to injury and can easily lift the ceiling of their team given their talents across the pitch. Any team losing its best three players would likely play below expectations. However, the Samurai Blue kept fighting and truly earned the point.

The other notable thing about this point was how Japan got the game-tying goal. There were many crosses sent into the box despite the Dutch defense having Virgil Van Dijk, Mickey Van De Ven, and Jan Paul van Hecke. It was going as you expected, with the Netherlands winning 21 out of the 28 aerial duels on the night.

The Japanese felt confident in their style of play despite the lack of results in the air. But Koki Ogawa won a header from a corner, and the accidental deflection of Daichi Kamada tied the game in the 88^th minute. There is nothing else other than to commend Japan for finding that breakthrough moment despite the odds not looking great in your favor.

Loathe: Leroy Sane

The German National team scored a touchdown and converted a successful extra point on Curaçao. It was a dominant showing for the German National team in Houston.

Despite the goals and players having their moment, Leroy Sane stood out for the wrong reasons. His performance can be summed up as doing nothing on the group project but still getting an A.

He was too sloppy in the final third with the ball at his feet. His shooting was not on point during one-on-one opportunities. He was clearly the visible weak link on the day the Germans were humming. If he can’t put up a good performance against Curaçao, I can’t imagine once the Germans start playing other teams.

Love: Ivory Coast Road Win

The World Cup provides teams to showcase their fans’ pride in their country. Ecuador took over Philadelphia and painted the stadium in the Yellow of La Tri. At first glance, you would think this match against the Ivory Coast was being played in the heart of Quito.

The Ivory Coast didn’t have the 12th man on their side. The chants of the South Americans added more pressure on top of the Ivorians’ first World Cup appearance in 12 years. It truly looked and felt like an away match for the African side.

Past are the days of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. It’s a new generation with potential superstars. It was Amad Diallo who silenced the crowd and gave the Ivory Coast all three points in the 90th minute of the match. It felt like they won a game on the road and spoiled the start for a team that many believe (including me) can make a deep run this summer.

It was a night 12 years in the making for the Ivory Coast. This victory adds an interesting wrinkle to how Group E might play out now.

Loathe: Sweden’s VAR Goal

My opinion on VAR over the years has been that it’s taken a lot out of the game slowly. It’s added wrinkles and awkward moments that haven’t been part of the game until now. That moment showed up in Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia.

Mattias Svanberg had his goal wiped away late in the second half. It was clear that he was offside. But we got an unusual and interesting VAR review.

The Trionda ball has been engineered with sensors inside it. They can detect when the ball has been kicked or anything that touches it. Svanberg was offside, but the ball detected it had been touched by Alexander Isak before Svanberg’s shot. Because of this, it started a new phase of play in which Svanberg was then onside during the ball. In the replay its so hard to say conclusively that Isak touched the ball.

If not for the detectors in the ball, that goal would easily be ruled out. I hate that this adds another element to what can be reviewed. It adds more grey area for the referee to think about.

VAR was meant to fix massive mistakes and correct human errors, but now it’s micromanaging the game. And like with many people, micromanaging is a massive pet peeve of mine.

Clip of the Day

The Scots are making their mark on America. After getting all three points on Saturday, the Tartan Army left a huge impression at one of the cathedrals of America’s pastime.

A random summer Boston Red Sox game had the flair and passion of the World Cup thanks to the Scots. Fans flooded Fenway Park to experience the Great American Game on Sunday night. For one lucky fan, he got to experience catching a home run on the iconic Green Monster.

Prediction of the Day

Another day with four games, but my eyes float towards the match between Belgium and Egypt.

I predict that Omar Marmoush and Mohammed Salah will combine for a goal and lead the African side to victory. This isn’t the Belgium of a few years ago, which was one of the top sides in the World. This is the moment for Egypt’s two attacking stars to steal the headlines.

With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).

Love: Let’s believe America!

The USMNT’s 4-1 win over Paraguay is one of those moments that rally this country together. The dominant and gritty performances from the Stars and Stripes is exactly the DNA of this country.

With the match being on Primetime on a Friday night, all of America had the chance to see what this group is capable of. The U.S. dominated in the first half and had Paraguay in a chokehold for almost the entire first half.

The own goal to get the party started, Foloarin Balogun’s brace, and Gio Reyna’s goal with the last kick of the game was like a shot of red, white, and blue into your veins.

It’s just one game, and you shouldn’t get carried away, but it doesn’t hurt to belive right?

Loathe: Jesse Marsch

“You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain”

That line for The Dark Knight is exactly where Jesse Marsh is at.

The American coach has made his disdain for how U.S. Soccer treated him clear every time there is a microphone in front of him. Like a politician running for office, there will always be small digs at his rival.

Marsch was the beacon of American coaching not too long ago. His breakthrough into coaching in Europe was monumental, given the lack of Americans in that arena. But taking charge of Canada has turned him into a voice that looks to undermine whenever possible.

He recently said that he had “to beg” players to sing the national anthem when he was an assistant coach at the 2010 World Cup. It’s a bold thing to say espically when you weren’t asked about it directly.

Unlike the other co-host, Canada couldn’t get all three points. So far, Marsch’s mouth is doing the talking more than his team on the pitch.

Love: Andres Cantor

Hearing the voice of Andres Cantor on Telemundo’s coverage made the USMNT’s victory on TV much sweeter for me personally.

I grew up listening to Cantor, and his iconic goal call every weekend. It never got old. His voice makes matches feel bigger.

Each goal the U.S. scored felt special with Cantor screaming Goooool. The man brings the energy and passion that this sport thrives on, and what this country needs to embrace to make soccer a key pillar of Pop Culture.

Loathe: Pulisic Injury worries

Injuries have always found a way to mess with Christian Pulisic’s career. The talent’s there but the stop-start nature of his early career was due to the injuries stopping him from getting that momentum going.

His halftime substitution was a precaution and smart move given how physical Paraguay played in the second half. Both Pulisic and Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that to reporters.

It was clear to see the dynamism the USMNT lacked at the start of the second half. Paraguay grew into the game while the Stars and Stripes adjusted to finding a different focal point.

Malik Tilman became that guy in the second half, but mostly because Paraguay started to chase the game more. In the event that something does happen to Captain America, I do worry how the USMNT will struggle to find that bite.

It’s not doom and gloom, but it will be one of those thoughts I struggle to get out of my head.

Loathe: Jonathan David’s decline

Just a few years ago, there was a consensus that Jonathan David was the best striker in North America. He was a killer at the club level and became Canada’s all-time goalscorer before the age of 25.

Fast forward to now, and it’s no longer the same David that was raking up goals in France consistently.

His first season at Juventus was less than ideal, with eight goals in 46 appearances across all competitions. For context, David scored 20 goals in back-to-back seasons before his move to Italy.

David vissibly held back Canada’s attack when he was on the ball. If he were in the form of a couple of years ago, there is no doubt in my mind that he walks away with a brace and leads Canada to the win.

Clip of the Day

The Trivela shot is one of the most beautiful strikes of the ball a player can hit when done right. It takes strong technique and confidence to be able to pull it off in a positive way. It’s why, despite never being an elite player, I hold a deep appreciation for Ricardo Quaresma.

Gio Reyna showed all of America how good and satisfying it is to see one of those hit the back of the net. Also, he announced on Social Media that he and his wife are expecting a child. What a moment for Reyna.

Prediction of the Day

It’s time for some upsets. And here are two predictions for you.

Morocco gets past Brazil, and Australia finds a way to squeak past Türkiye.

With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).

Love: Raul Jimenez’s World Cup moment

The emotion on the face of striker Raul Jimenez showed how much the moment meant to the 35-year-old.

He suffered a fractured skull injury in 2020, and doctors told him it was a miracle that he was able to keep playing soccer. He was a top striker in the Premier League at the time, but his long recovery period took the form out of him. Jimenez was never able to reach that level again. He also recently lost his father, who would’ve enjoyed seeing his son lead the line for Mexico.

It was surprising for me to learn that Thursday’s match was Jimenez’s first-ever start at the World Cup for the former Fulham striker. Henry Martín getting starting minutes in Qatar will never make sense to me, but that’s probably my anti-Club America bias showing.

Nonetheless, no other player on Mexico’s squad deserves that moment. Jimenez has worked hard to get back to being a reliable Premier League goalscorer. It’s clear the quality is still there with his ability to not just finish chances but also provide great hold-up play on the ball.

Loathe: Hydration Breaks

“The game is gone.”

“Utter Woke Nonsense”

Those are the phrases that came to mind during the new mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup.

It’s not that players are getting these moments to refuel and hydrate in the North American summer, but rather the real intentions of these three-minute breaks.

Even Stevie Wonder could see that these breaks are solely for more advertainment money and for broadcasters to profit from selling these slots in the middle of the action. It would be great to see some replays or maybe see the coaches talking to their players.

In the opening game, Fox missed some game action once it came back from the commercial break. It also happened in the South Korea – Czechia match.

Adding this element to games is just unnatural. It’s going against the soul of the game. Shout out to Telemundo for not putting commercials and keeping the feed on the game.

Love: Erik Lira

Who doesn’t love a number six who gets into tackles and is a no-nonsense kind of player?

That’s pretty much who the Cruz Azul midfielder is.

He won the ball back to set up Mexico’s first goal and added that element of physicality to disrupt South Africa’s moment in possession.

He’s a player who will likely get a move after the World Cup. He’s above Edson Alvarez in Javier Aguirre’s eyes, which is no small task.

Loathe: Red Card Chaos

This might be the one and only time in my lifetime where there were more red cards than goals in a game.

Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane got reds for South Africa, and Cesar Montes completed the trifecta by getting sent off in the final minutes of the game.

Personally, I hate seeing red cards. They change games by making the match more pragmatic. The game becomes predictable, and one side usually plays in slow surrender.

South Africa was always going to lose this game, but I’d like to see them keep trying and playing with the ball. It’s the football purist in me to want to see both teams go at it equally.

Loathe: What’s LAFC done to Son

It was a sad sight to see Heung-Min Son struggle in South Korea’s 2-1 win over Czechia. The once elite attack was visibly a step slower and not as sharp in the final third.

It’s no surprise when you realize that he’s not found the back of the net in MLS play. His only goals this year have come in the Concacaf Champions Cup. It’s a sad sight to see him struggle this much, given he’s the main focal point for his country.

I’ll be keeping my eye on if this is just who Son is on the world stage, or maybe this was the tune-up match he needed. In-Beom Hwang is stepping up to be the hero for Korea as he recorded a goal and an assist to get the come-from-behind victory.

Clip of the Day

South Africa had its “Deer in Headlights” moment in the opening match of the World Cup.

They struggled to play out of the back, the body language from their players was bad, and two red cards set the negative tone to start the tournament.

Here is a clip from South African TV where the pundits are literally speechless.

@sportytvMood in South Africa right now 🥺🇿🇦 🇿🇦 Get your World Cup Pass now and watch all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches on SportyTV YouTube Channel! #FIFAWorldCup #Bafanabafana #sportsontiktok #africansports #footballtiktok

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

Prediction of the Day

The USMNT will beat Paraguay 3-0. I have a feeling in my body that Friday will be a special day for U.S. Soccer.

This has been four years in the making. It’s an opportunity that this national team knows it must not squander.

According to reporting from Japanese outlet Football Zone, Maya Yoshida will be heading to Mexico in a “support role” ahead of Samurai Blue’s first World Cup stage games.

The Japanese team recently arrived in Mexico and is training in Monterrey to prepare and acclimate to the temperatures they might deal with during the tournament before heading to their base camp in Nashville.

Yoshida recently joined the team for its final match in Japan ahead of the FIFA World Cup. He played 15 minutes and received a farewell from the players and fans at Japan’s national stadium.

The 37-year-old defender is not on the team’s roster for the World Cup. Football Zone reports that he will be joining the team to aid in preparations for the team. Japan is in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden.

The LA Galaxy defender is no stranger to what it is like to prepare and play in Mexico. He’s played in Mexico in the last two seasons as part of the LA Galaxy’s Concacaf Champions Cup campaigns. Yoshida played in Toluca this season and in Monterrey last season as LA bowed out of the tournament.

His arrival comes at an interesting time for the Samurai Blue. It’s been reported that the Japanese have shown discontent with the quality of pitches at Tigres’ facilities. Videos of the team training and the lackluster conditions of the fields. Multiple outlets have reported that the team was close to leaving the country altogether.

C.F. Monterrey, the other team in the city, offered Japan their facilities, which are regarded as one of the best in Mexico. “El Barrial” is the base camp for the Tunisian national team, but it will temporarily host Japan’s fitness camp.

When Maya Yoshida walked off the field at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was the lowest moment of his career. Japan had topped its group, which included Spain and Germany, and played some great football in that tournament. But it was Yoshida, who captained the side, who dealt with the defeat the hardest.

He missed a crucial penalty in the Round of 16 shootout against Croatia. Japan’s dream of being a dark horse at the tournament came to an end. Yoshida was defeated and struggled to contain his emotions when talking to the media after the game. You can hear him struggle to get the right words out when asked to describe the moment.

That moment was the last time Yoshida represented his country at the international level. Aside from winning the 2011 Asia Cup, Yoshida’s time with the Samurai Blue hasn’t been filled with success. It’s been filled with heartbreak and moments of silence reflecting on what could’ve been.

Ending on positive terms in football is rare. The game is cruel, and not every player can have the fairy tale ending that you would see in movies.

Take former LA Galaxy player Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. He’s Mexico’s all-time top goalscorer and hasn’t suited up for El Tri since 2019. At the club level, Chicharito’s missed penalty in the Liga MX Playoffs for his boyhood club Chivas is currently the last kick of his career. That moment is potentially the last time he could kick a ball as a professional.

However, Yoshida is getting one last moment with Japan. He’s represented the country in 53 international friendlies, 43 World Cup Qualifiers, 15 Olympic fixtures, 15 AFC Asian Cup contests, an Asian Cup qualifier, and three Confederations Cup group stage matches.

Yoshida was invited for one last match with his home country ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Samurai Blue faced up against Iceland at the National Stadium in Japan. He spent the last week in training sessions with his old teammates and seeing the next generation of Japanese football put on the shirt of the national team.

There is no more deserving player than Yoshida to have this moment. His time with the LA Galaxy has shown the dedication, professionalism, and class that have followed him through his career. He’s captained LA through tough seasons but has also been the leader in its 2024 Championship campaign.

After 14 minutes of action against Iceland, Yoshida came off the pitch one final time for his country. Both teams gave the 37-year-old a guard of honor, while the home crowd gave a standing ovation. In the capital of his home country, Yoshida got a hero’s goodbye.

Yoshida then passed the captain’s armband to Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo before leaving the pitch. Then one final applause with the crowd before walking back to the bench.

Unlike other moments in his career with Japan, this is a moment for Yoshida to cherish. The tears are of joy and thankfulness rather than regret and agony. The applause for one of the pillars of Japanese soccer is well deserved for Yoshida.

The LA Galaxy walked off the field Saturday night frustrated by the result, but not necessarily by the performance. That distinction mattered inside the locker room afterward.

For long stretches of a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy looked like a team finally starting to understand itself. The movement was sharper. The counterpress was aggressive. The attacking relationships looked more natural. And for perhaps the clearest stretch all season, Greg Vanney’s vision actually resembled a finished product.

But the same issue that has hovered over the Galaxy’s uneven first half surfaced again: good stretches still are not consistently turning into wins.

“We left some points on the table,” Vanney admitted postgame. “The formula is coming around, and now we’ve got to put those two things, good defensive play, good on the ball, and put it together for 90 minutes on a consistent basis.”

That theme followed the entire night.

The opening 35 minutes may have been some of the Galaxy’s best possession soccer of the season. Vanney’s decision to push Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec into more direct downhill running opportunities immediately changed the tempo of the match. Houston struggled to contain the speed and constant movement, especially whenever Marco Reus drifted underneath the attack and Erik Thommy started connecting play through midfield.

Thommy, in particular, changed the rhythm of the game.

“He’s one of those players who has legs, wisdom,” Vanney said. “He moves with the ball. He moves off the ball. He creates activity and motion on the field.”

The effect was obvious almost immediately. The Galaxy repeatedly won second balls high up the field, with Edwin Cerrillo and Elijah Wynder jumping passing lanes to fuel quick attacking sequences before Houston could settle defensively.

“The big thing for us is we have been harping on playing more as a team,” Wynder said afterward. “Everybody is pressing together. When we get the ball, everybody is moving into the attack together.”

That collective movement finally produced the breakthrough in the 30th minute.

Cerrillo clipped a perfectly weighted ball over Houston’s back line to Miki Yamane, whose driven ball across the six-yard box eventually found Paintsil for what initially looked like an offside goal before VAR overturned the call. The reaction inside the stadium reflected how deserved the moment felt. The Galaxy had completely controlled the match to that point.

Paintsil’s goal, his third of the MLS season, also extended the Galaxy’s scoring streak to 24 consecutive matches, the longest active streak in MLS.

But the response afterward revealed where this team still has room to grow.

Houston never looked particularly threatening in the first half, yet one moment completely shifted the energy of the match. Guilherme’s stunning strike from outside the box in the 41st minute erased the Galaxy’s lead against the run of play and immediately changed the emotional texture of the night.

Vanney’s halftime message centered on rediscovering the aggression and control that defined the opening half, but instead the game increasingly turned into a test of resilience.

That part, at least, continues improving.

Jakob Glesnes highlighted afterward how much harder the Galaxy have become to play against during the last month and a half, especially defensively.

“We have been one unit and we have been working harder together,” Glesnes said. “We have been harder to play against.”

That defensive structure helped the Galaxy survive several dangerous second-half moments, including a critical recovery tackle from Glesnes near the hour mark and another strong performance behind them from goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.

Glesnes credited Marcinkowski’s form for stabilizing the group defensively.

“It is giving us confidence when you know that if you f--- up a time or two, you have someone that is saving you behind there,” Glesnes said.

Still, the Galaxy never fully regained the attacking rhythm they carried early. Houston controlled longer stretches of possession, and the match increasingly felt like it could swing either direction entering the final 20 minutes.

Yet even while struggling to control the game, the Galaxy still showed flashes of the attacking identity Vanney believes is emerging.

Cuevas provided energy off the bench. Harbor Miller immediately injected pace in transition. Late chances from Matheus Nascimento, Pec and Reus forced multiple difficult saves from former Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond as the Galaxy pushed for a winner.

But the finishing touch never arrived.

Instead, the Galaxy enter the World Cup break sitting at 5-5-5 and a goal difference of zero, frustrated by another home draw yet increasingly convinced their trajectory is improving.

“I’m pleased with how we’ve played over the last six to eight games,” Vanney said. “I think we found a formula that we can really build on with this group.”

The LA Galaxy hit a new low in 2026 with a 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night. It was a flat that Greg Vanney reached for quite the metaphor to describe it.

“I felt like we didn’t even get out of our hotel rooms,” said the Galaxy head coach. “We just didn’t come and meet the intensity level of the game.”

It was that kind of night at Children’s Mercy Park. SKC, winless at home all season heading into the match, barely had to elevate their game to dismantle a Galaxy side that looked disorganized and slow during this midweek match.

All three SKC goals came from LA’s inability to protect the ball in dangerous areas and their failure to recover defensively when possession was lost.

The opening goal started with Edwin Cerrillo losing the ball in midfield, and SKC broke immediately, with Calvin Harris finding space between the lines before his cutback found Capita at the far post to finish. The second came just before halftime as Dejan Joveljic, the former Galaxy striker, capitalized on a one-on-one opportunity against J.T. Marcinkowski with a composed chipped finish. It was the third time Joveljic has scored against his former club in four appearances.

Harris completed his dominant evening in the second half, finishing after a darting run into the box to make it three. It was the first time SKC had scored three goals in a single game all season. Both of their wins this season have now come against the Galaxy.

Gabriel Pec’s consolation in the 88th minute kept LA’s scoring streak alive but changed nothing about the final picture.

Vanney was direct in his assessment of where the game was lost. “They set up to play against our mistakes. We made plenty of them in the build. All three of their goals come off losses of possession that turn into transition attacks,” he said.

“I thought we were sloppy with the ball. I thought we were low on the intensity level. We just weren’t moving as fast as they were… we were behind the speed of it for most of the game.”

The first goal shone a spotlight on Edwin Cerrillo, whose loss of possession directly led to SKC’s opener. It was not an isolated moment. The 25-year-old has been inconsistent with the ball throughout the season, and Vanney acknowledged as much when asked about it.

“I think it’s been hit and miss, to be honest,” said Vanney about Cerrillo’s form. “In terms of presence and ball recovery and some of the things getting us out of situations going forward, it’s been up and down. Not consistent enough.”

It’s a significant admission about a player the Galaxy relies on heavily in the center of the park. LA’s system depends on midfield control and ball retention to keep opponents organized and create the patterns of play. When the midfield leaks possession in dangerous areas, the entire structure unravels as Wednesday night demonstrated.

There was a subplot to the evening that deserved more than the result allowed. Erik Thommy was making his return to Kansas City, the club he called home for the past four seasons, and brought with him the kind of familiarity and respect that comes with genuine history at a place.

The German midfielder didn’t let sentiment cloud his reading of the performance. His verdict was blunt.

“It wasn’t our best game. 80 to 90 percent is not enough. We need to be at 100 to compete and to win games,” said Thommy.

It echoed Vanney’s message of not bringing intensity to the game. There is little to no

There is no time to dwell on the result for the G’s. The Galaxy travel to Seattle on Saturday to face a Sounders side sitting third in the Western Conference following a win over San Jose. It is exactly the kind of hostile road environment that exposes teams low on confidence and cohesion.

Thommy made clear what the standard needs to be. “Energy-wise, commitment-wise, we need to be much better than today in Seattle, because Seattle is going to be a really, really tough away game for us.”

The Galaxy showed they can raise their level when they want to. Wednesday night proved they still haven’t found a way to do it consistently like the elite teams in MLS.

The voice of Marco Reus holds a lot of weight in the LA Galaxy locker room. The former German Player of the Year wanted to get a message across to the team that could jumpstart the six-time MLS Cup champions in 2026 and make them evolve.

“There was a moment where (Reus) kind of brought everybody in and got a little bit mad at us and said, ‘We need to be more dirty. We can’t just always play nice.’ And I think the team has done a good job of really listening to that,” said Justin Haak following the Galaxy’s 1-1 draw with Vancouver.

The increased physicality and aggressiveness is noticeable from the G’s in the last few games. The Galaxy backline is playing a bit higher than usual, players are ready to press, and the squad is built for combat in the midfield trenches.

“We don’t need to play out of the back. We don’t need to be such a pretty team,” said John Nelson following Wednesday’s training.

“If we need to press and be a bit dirty, then so be it. That’s what we need to do. And we’ve shown that the last few games,” he added. “I would say the trainings have been a little more intense, a little more better, more clarity… you can tell we’re just fighting more, our press is better. We just want that little more.”

This style of play is a shift in LA’s usual methods that involve heavy possession and breaking down opponents through patterns of play. The aesthetics of this style of play can be better for the viewer, but the results lately for the Galaxy have not been guaranteed.

“When ideas are clear and it’s easier to press, man on man or whatever we’re doing, you can play better. Guys know where the press,” said Nelson.

One of those players who’s elevated their game in this style is Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Sanabria.

“I think the mentality of the group and how we’ve approached the last two games has really kind of put the game into what I would say is Lucas’ wheelhouse,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney.

Sanabria’s tenacity for duels and pressing is what made him stand out during his time at Nacional in Uruguay’s top-flight. Those attributes are coming to life in the last couple of weeks alongside his development with the ball at his feet.

“The way these last two games have played out really kind of suits his greatest strengths. And so it’s part of the reason why we have been rethinking about what our pressing looks like to try to put our guys in the best positions to be successful,” said Vanney.

It’s also Sanabria’s teammates seeing him take that leap.

“It’s really good to see Lucas doing more of that,” said Nelson about Sanabria’s aggressiveness.

“He’s playing with more confidence. So it’s not just him too. It’s just the team, the liveliness and the press guys wanting to win,” he added.

With a three-game road trip this week, LA is likely to play behind the ball more rather than with it. LA heads to Atlanta, then to Kansas City, and then finalizes the trip by facing Seattle.

“Every game is an opportunity for us to try to take points,” said Vanney.

“We have two teams that aren’t the highest in the standings at the moment, but you have one who’s starting to find a little bit of their form, and Kansas City as a place has always been a challenge for us,” he added.

“We want to try and get at least seven points out of these next three games. Then at home in the fourth game with Houston, it’s a for sure win. That’s my mentality. That’s our mentality,” said Nelson about the upcoming road trip.

With injuries taking a toll on roster selection and building a rhythm as a team, the Galaxy needs to evolve to survive. Especially with its upcoming road trip.

Speed kills.

It’s a phrase used so often in sports that it risks losing its meaning. But watching Joseph Paintsil for 90 minutes, the words take on new life. It comes as the FIFA World Cup looms, and Paintsil could be part of the most prestigious tournaments in sports.

Since returning from his hamstring injury, Paintsil has become one of the most important players in the LA Galaxy’s attack. The team looks different with him on the pitch, as his threat on the counter is harder to defend against in the open field.

Greg Vanney doesn’t mince words when describing what Paintsil brings to G’s since his return from injury.

“What he gives us is he’s fast as hell, and he can run behind anybody from anywhere at any moment,” said the Galaxy head coach. “It gives you something that the opposition really has to respect. It gives you something that the opposition is fearing at all times.”

That fear factor is not abstract. It changes how opposing defenses set up and how deep their lines sit. Paintsil’s pace gives the G’s an extra dimension and elevates the ceiling of the team.

What separates Paintsil from a one-dimensional speedster is his understanding of space and movement. His goal against FC Dallas was a perfect example as his perfectly timed run and positioning allowed him to exploit exactly what the defense was giving him.

In this moment, Paintsil reads that situation. He changes his run to attack space and get on the end of a through ball from Glesnes. You can see in real-time how Paintsil reads the situation and adjusts his body to make that run. The only thing missing is the finish from Elijah Wynder.

On his goal against Vancouver, Paintsil credited the combination with Lucas Sanabria as something the two had worked on in training, a pattern built on understanding how the Whitecaps want to play and attacking their buildup.

“The ball that Lucas gave me is something we learned, because we know how they want to play,” said Paintsil. “All I have to do is always be in between the keeper and the center back. My positioning with Lucas’s pass and the goal I scored was something amazing. Kudos and a very big thanks to Lucas for the assist.”

Being the fastest player on the field comes with a price. Paintsil is fouled and targeted by opponents who know they can’t beat him. Adding more physicality and strength towards Paintsil, the main way players look to combat his pace. It’s a pattern he has learned to recognize and manage. He was the most fouled player in LA’s match with Vancouver, and that’s not counting calls he didn’t get.

“They always try to frustrate me. The only thing frustrating me is just to kick me and try to make fouls, to always complain and mess with my mind,” said Paintsil to reporters. “

I know that’s what they are going to do kick me and try to get in my head. At the end of the day, I just let it go, focus on the game, keep it flowing, and try to help the team. That is the most important thing for me.”

It’s a maturity that has developed through experience. Paintsil has learned that reacting to provocation only takes him out of his game. Staying focused, staying disciplined, and letting his feet do the talking is the approach that serves him and the Galaxy best.

The hamstring injury that kept Paintsil sidelined in the early weeks of the season was not his first. It’s a recurring issue he has had to learn to manage carefully during his LA Galaxy career.

“I feel good now. I’m having my 90 minutes,” he said. “I’ve been having these hamstring injuries every season. Now I just need to know how to go about things and try to always keep fit.”

The World Cup looms large over this stretch of the season for many players across MLS, and Paintsil is no exception. Ghana’s qualification for the tournament means the biggest stage in world football is less than a month away, and the stakes have never been higher for him personally.

With Carlos Queiroz now taking charge of the Black Stars less than a month ago, it’s clear Paintsil is doing everything to stand out. Scoring goals is the best way to stay on the radar, especially since Queiroz has had no time with the Ghana national team.

“My focus is just to focus on the team, give everything for the team. If I’m performing in the team, why not?… I’m more focused on what is now than later,” he said about the upcoming World Cup.

“I would love to be there — Inshallah, by God’s grace, I think everything will be possible,” he said. “If I go, yes. If I don’t go, I still give thanks to God.”

A motivated Paintsil is a good thing for LA, and the Galaxy will keep benefiting from having one of the fastest and most dangerous wingers in the league back in top gear.

The LA Galaxy let the lead slip and settled for a 1-1 draw at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night. It’s a result that will feel far more like two points dropped than one gained.

Thomas Müller was absent from Vancouver’s matchday squad due to illness, removing the much-anticipated subplot of his reunion with Marco Reus. Despite that, both teams brought intensity from the opening whistle, and the match had the feel of two sides who desperately needed the three points.

The Galaxy didn’t waste any time after the halftime break. A poor ball from Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka was intercepted by Lucas Sanabria, who fed Joseph Paintsil in behind the defense. The Ghanaian finished confidently for his second goal of the season.

LA held the lead for the majority of the match but couldn’t see it out. In the 82nd minute, Sebastian Berhalter delivered a perfectly placed cross onto the head of Mathias Laborda, who nodded home to level the score and silence Dignity Health Sports Park.

Vanney had anticipated Vancouver throwing numbers forward late and had added an extra center back to the lineup just before the free kick. The equalizer came anyway.

“We were about as big as we could possibly be in that moment, and we’ve got to be able to deal with that situation even though it happened,” said Vanney.

The Galaxy’s best chance to win it came in the 86th minute. Jakob Glesnes played a perfect through ball for Paintsil, whose cross into the box found Elijah Wynder in space but the midfielder couldn’t get clean contact, and the ball went wide without troubling the goalkeeper.

Everyone in the stadium knew what had just slipped away. It was the moment that should have made Wynder the hero of the night. Instead, it became another difficult chapter in a stretch of games where his form and confidence have visibly dipped, his minutes decreasing with each passing week.

“It was one of those great opportunities to salvage three points. We just didn’t get it done,” said Vanney.

When reporters asked Paintsil about the moment, he used his answer to go to bat for his teammate without hesitation.

“We just wish the best for him. He is a really amazing player and he can do more, he can do better, he can do extremely great,” said Paintsil.

“We believe in him. Everybody believes in him. Nobody puts any blame on him. Even if someone puts the blame on him, I’m going to fight. Because even the best players in the world miss chances. So if he misses chances, that doesn’t mean he’s not a good player. He’s an amazing player. He needs to focus on himself and believe in himself and just keep going.”

The frustration in the dressing room afterwards was palpable.

“The feeling in the locker room was not what we expected,” said Paintsil. “We wanted this victory, especially for us and for the supporters. Unfortunately, this is football. We just need to raise our heads and focus on the next game.”

If there was a silver lining on the night, it was the performance of J.T. Marcinkowski. A point-blank save in the 19th minute was the defining moment of his evening. It kept the Galaxy level at a critical juncture and maintained the confidence in the group. According to FotMob, Marcinkowski prevented 1.72 expected goals across his five saves on the night.

Vanney acknowledged that earlier in the season, those saves hadn’t been coming at the right moments.

“I felt early in the season, if I’m being honest, we probably needed a save or two here or there and it might have preserved us a couple of points,” he said. “In his last stretch of games, J.T has been able to pick up one or two of those.”

The conversation around the goalkeeper position feels settled after this performance. Marcinkowski’s shot-stopping, leadership, and composure in big moments are exactly what Vanney has been looking for from the position all season.

“JT has proven that he brings us stability, maturity, and the odd save that you need in tough games,” said Vanney. “If he’s doing that, then it’s his position to keep.”