“LA Galaxy or LAFC”

For 10-year-old Harbor Miller, that was a question about his future rather than what team to support.

Miller had to choose between the academy programs of both clubs. Where would he spend the most important developmental years of his career to have a shot at playing at the professional level?

It just so happens Miller was at Dignity Health Sports Park on March 31^st, 2018 – the first ever meeting between both LA teams.

Miller had the perfect view to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s two goals in the Galaxy comeback win over LAFC. Not too long afterwards, Miller would commit to the LA Galaxy academy.

“That game was also a huge factor of like, hey, like this is where I want to be. And ever since then, I was like, wow, I really want to represent this club. This is a huge rivalry that like you know, this is my side and forever will be,” Miller told reporters after training.

At the academy level, Miller still felt the rivalry as both the Galaxy and LAFC’s youth teams would face off often.

“Both of our academies have been very strong. And when I was younger, I would say we didn’t win many. And then as we kind of got older, our team started to develop more and get a lot better. And then we finally got to beat them a few times, and it’s actually the best feeling when you can win that game compared to a lot of other games,” said Miller of the academy days.

With the 28^th edition of El Trafico on Sunday, Miller’s insight showed how much this game means for fans and young kids with dreams of making it to the professional level.

“It’s the people in stands. It’s the fans. It’s the hardcore fans. It’s also the kids, the kids with dreams and with goals. You know, this is these are moments where they have choices, and and sometimes these little moments can make a big difference in in what they see as their choices,” head coach Greg Vanney said about the rivalry.

“It’s a game for playoff points and positioning, and it’s a game for territorial bragging rights for everybody. It’s all those, but there’s just so many layers to these derbies that when you sit down and you actually go through them in your head, you realize how big they are,” added Vanney.

2026 has been the year for the 19-year-old U.S Youth National Team player to become a genuine part of the LA Galaxy rotation. No scrap minutes off the bench, but rather meaningful shifts across different sectors of the pitch.

“Starting games, not starting games, playing a ton of minutes back-to-back and then not playing some as well. Playing four corners of the field: right back, left back, left wing, right wing. You know, all these different places,” said Miller about his experience this season.

“I think that has been the biggest thing. Every single weekend I have an opportunity to make a huge impact, and I’m not only for myself but for my team and for my city as well. So that pressure is obviously is huge, and I take that I don’t take that lightly at all. But I also think that it’s a privilege to be able to be in the situation for sure,” added Miller.

The 19-year-old is a workhorse with a great work rate on both sides of the pitch. His raw speed and directness help him in the attack and in recoveries on defense. The natural hardcore competitor is always present in his emotional reactions to winning a tackle or forcing a defender to lose possession.

It’s that hard-working attitude and natural talent that have Vanney seeing this academy product establish himself in the squad.

“He’s a success story. … The key is sustainability. It’s not like just getting your opportunity. It’s about sustainability,” said Vanney.

“Harbor’s physically mature and he’s got power, and he’s got the things at a little bit earlier age, and then he also has the charisma and the confidence that go with it. And for some kids, it just takes a little longer for those pieces to come together,” said Vanney.

It’s not just the coaching staff taking note of Miller. Gyasi Zardes, one of LA’s most accomplished homegrown players in club history, sees the potential in Miller.

“I got to talk to Gyasi Zardes. He was here the other day, and I literally told him, ‘Hey, man, I looked up to you for so long,’ and he told me that it’s my turn now. And those words really stuck with me,” said Miller.

“I think going into this weekend, I’m going to keep that in the back of my brain,” he added.

At 19, Miller knows he’s the prime example of the path the LA Galaxy academy can provide. He’s been to Ventura County FC playoff games, participated at community events, and shows a welcoming personality to media looking to learn about him.

As El Trafico looms closer, Miller knows putting a good showing in this game can inspire a kid looking to take their next step in making their soccer dream a reality, like he was eight years ago.

“I just want to be an inspiration to show that hey, you can do it from wherever you come from, especially from LA,” said Miller. “Playing at the biggest stage here in LA, and hopefully choose the good side.”

In modern football, a natural left foot is one of the most coveted tactical assets a team can possess.

When the LA Galaxy acquired midfielder Pablo Ruiz before the end of the transfer window, head coach Greg Vanney raved about having a left-footed midfielder. It’s estimated that 21% of professional players are left-footed. Most times, these players are playing out wide as either full backs or wingers, but not too often do you find them playing deep in midfield.

With Ruiz not getting a lot of playing time at Real Salt Lake, the Galaxy saw the opportunity to add a profile they severely lack.

The most profound impact of a left-footed specialist is often felt in the midfield. Whether operating as an advanced playmaker in the half-spaces or as a deep-lying pivot (No. 6), a left-footed midfielder fundamentally alters a team’s passing patterns and can unlock more options in build-up play.

“That’s what lefties do. They see the game from a different direction sometimes than righties,” said Vanney after LA’s 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers.

“In the past, Riqui (Puig) would always hit the switch from left to right and look for the guys running in, and now you have something that, from that midfield level, not from the center back level, who’s able to play that switch to the other side. And it’s a really nice to have,” Vanney said about Ruiz’s impact in midfield. The Argentine has already become a key player for the Galaxy, as he’s started in six of LA’s last seven games.

The Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with San Diego FC isn’t the ideal result for the LA Galaxy but it allowed for Ruiz to show what he can do best in possession.

“I feel that I have adapted very well, very quickly. I understand the coach’s ideas, trying to associate with my teammates. I think that for the moment, even though I just arrived, I feel that all the new reinforcements who have arrived have been able to help the Galaxy and be in a playoff position,” Ruiz said after the match against San Diego.

Ruiz’s signature trait is his lofted long ball. He can hit the ball at the right pace for his teammates to run-on to or fit the ball in the right pockets of space. According to FotMob, Ruiz ranks in the 93rd percentile for accurate long balls (3.9 per 90) and 82nd percentile for accurate passes (54.3 per 90).

The ability to hit sweeping, outward-curving diagonal long balls to the opposite flank acts like a quarterback hitting a receiver perfectly in stride, opening up passing lanes that are harder for right-footed players to. Ruiz provided these moments in the buildup on multiple occasions against San Diego.

This clip here is the perfect sequence to show why Vanney loves having a left footed player.

When Ruiz hits the ball to Robert Taylor, the outward curve allows Taylor to run onto the ball in stride and keep the ball away from the defender. If this were a right footed pass, the inward angle would help the center back catch up to the ball and Taylor would have prepare to contest a duel.

Ruiz plays like a quarterback in the pocket when he gets the ball in the middle of the pitch. With no pressure, the Argentine has great accuracy to pick out what ever pass he wants. Taylor gets the ball and LA is in the final third ready to create an attacking sequence.

The Galaxy struggles the most when they can’t get out of their own half or fail to get the ball in dangerous positions. In this clip, Ruiz drops to create a Lavolpiana build-up so the Galaxy can play a 3-2-5 in possession. With Reus dragging a center back, Ruiz finds Taylor in plenty of space. LA gets in the final third directly.

Even when he is in his attacking half, Ruiz can fit a lofted ball in dangerous spaces. In this clip, he picks the ball and puts into the box. Reus can’t control it but it show’s he’s a threat to break lines that way.

“I like him very much. He reminds me a little bit of Nuri Şahin,” said Reus after LA’s 3-2 win over Minnesota. Şahin possessed an elite ability to read the game by breaking defensive lines with perfectly weighted through balls or switching the point of attack with long diagonal passes. Similar to the clips we have seen with Ruiz so far.

“He gives us a different solution, especially with his left foot, because it’s really rare in our squad that we have a left foot in this position. So, it’s another piece for us, and he did great since he arrived here. I remember his first training. His impact was massive.,” Marco Reus.

The main knock on the Argentine is that he isn’t the savviest defensively. He won’t lunge into tackles, nor is he great at defending against the dribble. But he is smart at positioning himself to cut off passing lanes and is well disciplined to play in any defensive structure.

With LAFC up next for the G’s and a close race for the playoffs, Vanney’s side can’t afford to drop points if they want to secure a spot in the postseason. The late addition of Ruiz is the latest tactical wrinkle LA hopes works out in its favor.

The introduction of Emiro Garces in the starting lineup on Wednesday brought mixed emotions.

LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney decided to give Garces his first start since July 22. This was just any game; it was a game that Vanney and the rest of the LA Galaxy called the most important game of the season.

The Gs took care of business at home with a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers. With Garces putting in a quality performance to help record LA’s fourth shutout of the season.

The Colombian finished the game with three clearances, two recoveries and won all three of his duels on the night.

With still so many questions about the backline, there is one certainty: The Galaxy is a better defensive team when Garces is at his best.

The 2024 MLS Cup-winning season isn’t possible if Colombian center back Emiro Garces doesn’t emerge into a starting role in the second half of the season.

His blistering recovery pace and ability to win duels in transition made him the ideal last line of defense that season.

Fast forward to 2026, and he’s struggled to control his aggression in tackles and found himself walking off the pitch with a red card rather than going to celebrate a team win.

Even through the challenges of the red card moments and lack of meaningful minutes, Vanney noted that the 25-year-old is putting a lot of work into the training pitch.

“I think Emiro’s been training really well. I think he came into the game the other night and looked spry and ready. He’s somebody we’re going to need down the stretch.” Said Vanney

“He’s had a great personality and temperament every single day in training. Like he’s trying to show that, you know, we should be able to trust him,” he added.

Garces had his best moments in the game in the middle of the second half. This sequence was his best.

Kristoffer Velde is the most direct threat to the Timbers and has given Calegari trouble in spurts. In the first half of the clip, Garces times his tackle perfectly to win the ball back.

Then, the next half of the clip shows a great clearance in front of goal. This is a hard angle at times for defenders, but he lunges perfectly to clear the ball out.

“We all know what he can do. I think he knows what he can do. He’s always been confident,” said Robert Taylor postgame.

“He’s been showing it in games when he comes on. I feel like he’s been really good. So today was just a really solid performance from him,” added Robert Taylor.

The Galaxy needs Garces at his best to see the backline play at its full potential. He gives Vanney something else to think about with Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak competing also in the center back pool.

LA’s next two matches against San Diego and LAFC will test the backline. Both clubs have scored three goals against the Galaxy this season.

Garces has the chance to be a difference maker when the Galaxy needs it. He’s done this before to make the Galaxy better.

When James Bond and Le Chiffre are trading jabs at the poker table in Casino Royale, you can feel the tense feeling that gambling evokes.

The first tension is felt once everyone is at the poker table. Then Bond gets into a predicament and looks like he might be the next one to leave the table, to then Le Chiffre puts everything on the table.

The LA Galaxy isn’t playing poker, but they’re gambling on this week’s results and putting a lot on the line in the span of six days.

When Joao Klauss says this in the most important week of the season, and head coach Greg Vanney doubles down on that, losing 6-2 to St. Louis City is not ideal.

There is no shame in losing to a team amid a 20-game unbeaten run, but the manner in which LA took the defeat is demoralizing nonetheless.

“I feel like [this game] lights a fire under some people and under the group. That was the emotion that I went into in the locker room. There was certainly anger and disappointment, but I also felt a recognition that there’s a big week still ahead of us,” said Vanney postgame.

Klauss was forced to enter the game after 11 minutes due to Kyogo Furuhashi picking up an injury early in the game. While he did score, the goal didn’t have any impact on changing the result.

“After the game everybody is frustrated, but one we thing we talked about in the locker room is staying together. We don’t point fingers, we don’t blame each other, and we don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves.

So, LA loses this game under the primetime lights. The start of the most important week of the season is now something that the club is trying to forget about.

But the Galaxy isn’t backing away. They’re going all in and putting more pressure on Wednesday night’s matchup against the Portland Timbers.

“Wednesday, we have to win. We can’t have any other result,” Klauss told the media.

“That’s the only way for us to make it. I don’t care if I feel pain, I don’t care if my foot is feeling good or not feeling good, if I’ve recovered well or not recovered well, our mentality has to be the best mentality possible,” added Klauss.

Vanney is also making sure that Wednesday night holds more importance than any other game this season.

“Wednesday is the most important game of the season. We said this was the most important week. Wednesday is the most important game of the season,” Vanney said on Sunday night.

The Timbers head into this game on a five-game winless run, conceding two goals in four of these five games. Portland is three points behind the Galaxy with one less game played. It is clear why this game matters, and so much weight is being put on Wednesday night’s result.

The Galaxy backline has struggled in the past few weeks, with the St. Louis match being the worst display all season. LA invested a lot in players in Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak while bringing in Sergi Roberto to help take away build-up responsibilities from the center backs.

This is where the backline needs to have its most impactful game of the season. Where the fruits of the investments grow and show that growth can be repeatable. Where a clean sheet seems like a genuine possibility rather than a hopeful thought.

You might think this is too much being put on one game, but this is exactly what the Galaxy wants. They said it themselves.

LA won’t be eliminated from playoff contention tonight, but the result will show if LA is ready for even more pressure on them.

Everyone has that one week a year where everything must go their way.

For the LA Galaxy, that’s this upcoming week’s games against St. Louis, Portland, and San Diego.

“I think it’s the most important week this year… this is the type of week that shows the strength of the group,” said Joao Kluass after Thursday’s training.

Head Coach Greg Vanney also agreed with his striker.

“You get to this time of year and a three-game week in which two of the three are at home, there’s a huge opportunity in that. We are in a playoff position right now. We have a very small cushion. I think this gives you a chance to even create separation if you can have a really good week,” he said.

LA is coming off back-to-back come-from-behind wins in the MLS and now will be tested against St. Louis City SC. The midwestern club sits second in the Western Conference and in the midst of a 19-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

It’s not an easy task for the Galaxy, more so with the news that winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano will be out for a couple of weeks due to a hamstring injury, according to Vanney.

But the Galaxy’s main beacon of light is the return of Klauss. After a four-month injury absence, the Brazilian striker scored in his last two games for the G’s. Even with that absence, his seven goals scored this season are tied for first on the team with veteran Marco Reus

Sunday’s matchup means even more, given he was a key pillar to the genesis of St. Louis City SC’s history. One of the first signings the club made and the face of their historic inaugural season in MLS.

“Very special place. When I arrived there, the stadium wasn’t ready, so I watched all the process. Then the first year, the expansion year. So yeah, a lot of great memories from St. Louis. A lot of friends there. Excited to be back there and see everyone,” said Klauss to the media.

“I think most of the people there have a good relationship. Not all of them, but with the fans, I always showed a lot of respect for them, for the club, for the future of the club, for the owners. So yeah, I’m sure it would be nice to be back there, see everyone, and see the fans again,” he added.

It won’t be the only reunion on Sunday night.

St. Louis Head Coach Yoann Damet spent a sometime with LA Galaxy as manager of LA Galaxy II and a brief stint on Vanney’s coaching staff in 2022. He wasn’t with the club for a long time, but it was a crucial moment in his journey to becoming an MLS head coach.

Seeing Damet lead St. Louis City to positive results didn’t come as a shock for Vanney.

“It doesn’t surprise me, really. He’s a guy that always had interest in working with when he was here. I saw those same attributes, so it doesn’t surprise me really,” said Vanney.

Damet’s first experience in MLS was with FC Cincinnati, where he was briefly the interim head coach at 29 years old. After he moved on from the Galaxy, he spent time as an assistant with Wilfred Nancy’s Columbus Crew.

City gave him his first head coaching job and is now reaping the fruits of giving him time to implement his system, even if the results weren’t there at first

“I spoke to him early in the season when they weren’t getting results. I said to him, “You just guys got to keep doing what you’re doing because you’re just not taking chances when you have moments that you can score,”. They looked solid, and I think they’d won one in 10 to start the season,” said Vanney.

St. Louis keeps rolling and finding ways to keep getting results. Vanney has emphasized that getting a win on Sunday night will come down to more than just grit.

“We got to be stingier on the defensive end, and we’ve got to take advantage because a lot of these games will come down to just moments”, he said.

“We’ve got to be calculated and clean when we have the ball and the build outs, and they are pressing us in man-on-man. I think there’s opportunity inside of those moments, but in seeking those opportunities, we got to make sure that we don’t put ourselves in bad situations. So, I think it’s going to be an interesting game,” said Vanney.

This match kicks off a busy week and one where LA can’t afford to give up ground for the last few playoff spots. This week is an all-hands-on-deck situation.

“In weeks like this, it’s impossible to play 11 players for 90 minutes three times. We’re going to need everyone,” said Klauss.

The call has been made, but will LA answer it?

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is forever an immortalized figure in Mexican soccer.

He’s not in the top 10 of El Tri’s all-time goal scorers, nor was he part of Mexico’s World Cup squad that captivated the hearts of the entire country.

His moment was back in 2018 with his game-winning goal to beat reigning World Cup champions Germany. The photos of his knee slide celebration at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, are forever a part of El Tri’s history and the Lozanos’ legacy.

Eight years after that moment, Lozano is at an inflection point in his career.

He spent nine months in exile from soccer, from the team that wanted him to be the face of the franchise for years. San Diego FC was supposed to be his team; instead, they’re the club that put him in the lowest moment of his professional career.

Lozano was supposed to be a veteran on Mexico’s 2026 World Cup squad. Instead, he was forced to watch the games from home and play the “What-if” game in his head. It was a dark moment in Lozano’s career, and an emotional moment that showed him the cruelty of the game.

“He said it was the hardest decision he’d ever had to make… he had to make a decision between his family’s stability and chasing the World Cup,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Kuntz in August.

“After trying so hard to get to MLS and having a really successful season, and his family having a really stable environment in San Diego. That wasn’t something that he was willing to uproot, and he was willing to miss a World Cup for that,” said Kuntz.

But now, the situation has flipped.

Lozano finds himself as one of the faces of the LA Galaxy. But most importantly, he’s back in the Mexican National Team picture.

Rafa Marquez’s highly anticipated first roster list as the manager of El Tri included the 31-year-old. Lozano’s inclusion was heavily discussed across Mexican media, but one thing is certain: this boost of confidence is what Lozano needs.

In his first eight games with the G’s, Lozano hasn’t filled the stat sheet. A goal and one assist in 564 minutes isn’t elite production, nor has it changed the Galaxy’s fortunes for the better.

Momentum is a key part of sports. It’s something the LA Galaxy’s yet to capture at any point in the MLS season. It’s real for players too – a player going on a scoring streak or finding ways to change the game off the ball doesn’t happen by itself. It needs to be built up through confidence.

For a player who missed the World Cup, being welcomed back into the fold by El Tri is a statement that the door is not closed. That the story is not over and that what happened in San Diego will not define how Lozano’s career ends.

There is a psychological dimension to this that matters for the Galaxy. Lozano is a player who has always performed best with confidence and freedom, especially as a direct winger. During his best years at PSV and Napoli, he didn’t hesitate to take on defenders or escape from tight spaces.

The exile stripped some of that away. The months of training alone, the public scrutiny, and the World Cup absence have stayed with him for months. These are not things a player simply shakes off.

A Mexico call-up is the kind of moment that can begin to rebuild that foundation. Playing in front of his country again, alongside teammates who see him as an icon and in the colors that mean the most to him.

It is the ultimate reminder to Lozano of who he actually is. That player is what the LA Galaxy needed most when he returns from the international break.

The LA Galaxy’s post-World Cup struggles deepened on Wednesday night with a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place.

The Galaxy has recorded two wins in 10 games since MLS resumed after the World Cup break. It’s had 10 consecutive matches with a different starting lineup due to injuries, transfers, and squad rotation. These are both factors in and out of the Galaxy’s control.

The club’s only consistency has been its inconsistency, and Wednesday night in Vancouver was the latest chapter in the inability to build postive momentum.

The Whitecaps took the lead through Brian White, who punished the Galaxy’s backline before it had a chance to reset after losing possession. Thomas Müller delivered a perfectly weighted pass for White to finish.

The second goal arrived in similar fashion. A slip from Erik Thommy in midfield gifted Ryan Gauld the space to double Vancouver’s lead and send BC Place celebrating to start the second half.

The finishing touch came in the closing moments. Substitute Emiro Garces fouled in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. J.T. Marcinkowski got a hand to Bruno Caicedo’s penalty but couldn’t keep it out.

LA has won just twice in Vancouver since the start of the decade and this performance was nowhere near the level required to change that record.

Head Coach Greg Vanney named a different starting lineup from the match before. Isiah Parente, Pablo Ruiz, and Lucas Sanabria all started the previous game against New England on the bench.

Vanney acknowledged the issue directly and pointed to the artificial turf at BC Place as one factor behind Wednesday’s rotation.

“Consistency in terms of our lineups is going to be important down the stretch because we just don’t have a lot of time in games and sessions,” said Vanney. “That’s going to be on me, tonight I chose to make a rotation and protect guys, but I do think we’re going to need some consistency which allows guys to get the continuity we need.”

He was equally vocal about his disdain for the playing surface, describing it as “extremely slippery” with players “very uncomfortable and uncertain about footing.”

“The field play is incredibly slow with no bounce,” said Vanney. “It was important for us to protect the guys we protected tonight. We got through the game without any injuries.”

It is a valid concern, but the rotation problem predates Wednesday’s trip to BC Place. Ten different lineups in ten games is not a small pattern.

The one saving grace for the Galaxy on Wednesday night was the results elsewhere. Favorable outcomes around the league mean LA remains just one point from a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“We know on paper we should have a really good team, but we have to work hard now because every single game matters,” said Norwegian defender Jakob Glesnes. “It doesn’t matter if we’re home or away, we have to be better than what we were showing tonight.”

He pointed to the mood in the dressing room after Saturday’s win over New England as a reminder of how quickly things can shift from game to game.

“I know that it’s a hungry group out there that want to win every game, and hopefully we, we’re going to start already on Saturday, and we can build some momentum and some confidence out of that,” said Glesnes.

“It’s not (been) many days since we’re sitting with a totally different feeling than we’re sitting with today.”

LA’s next match is at home against the Seattle Sounders. It’s more than likely that LA will put out its 11^th straight different starting lineup.

After a busy transfer window, the Galaxy now had to make it all work on the pitch. With teams to chase and the uncertainty of the Western Conference, LA’s 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution came at the right time.

Kyogo Furuhashi took advantage of poor control in New England’s own half and sprinted to an open goal. A late lunge from Will Sands that brought the Japanese striker down led to a penalty right at the 10-minute mark.

Marco Reus stepped up and calmly put it past Matt Turner and into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season. It got better for LA as the match carried on.

After great interplay through the Rev’s midfield, Robert Taylor finished off a great attack; it was his first goal since July 2025. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano recorded the assist, his first in Galaxy colors.

Just minutes before the end of the game, the Revs were awarded a late penalty. It ruined the clean sheet opponent, but not the victory. The match provided moments of pure football quality and the potential this retooled Galaxy has.

“When we’re flowing, teams are going to have a really hard time and really think twice about how aggressive they want to defend us because of the pace and the caliber of (Lozano) and Kyogo and Joe (Paintsil) and Robert, with guys who are able to deliver passes like Marco and like Erik (Thommy) and like Pablo (Ruiz) and Sergi (Roberto),” said Head Coach Greg Vanney.

The flow and tempo of the Galaxy attack was dictated by Roberto, who was making his first LA Galaxy start.

“I think we have a high-quality team, with players who are technically very good on the ball. So, we have to believe in that, be strong especially in possession and reach the playoffs at 100%; I fully believe we can do that,” said Roberto postgame.

The Spanish midfielder added a calm presence on the ball in his minutes with the Galaxy. Alongside Thommy and Reus, the Galaxy’s midfield looks different and operates with more technical ability and IQ.

“Tonight, I saw some glimpses of where we’re able to manage the ball better with the ball, and not necessarily the whole time defensively, which I would like to tilt that bar even more,” said Vanney.

Being better in possession is the ultimate goal for Vanney, more so with Roberto fully integrating with the team. This is part of the season where MLS teams need to be at their best, more so with an intense race for playoff position.

“It’s just the conductor… both with and without the ball, from that lower part of the field and the midfield. You've got to have somebody who kind of ties the team together in that way, and I feel like he does a nice job of doing that,” said Vanney about Roberto.

He isn’t the only new addition to the Galaxy that is making a positive impact.

It had been over a year since Taylor scored a goal. Football had gotten more difficult with injuries, and now moving to another club.

But now, the 31-year-old experienced the feeling that never gets old: scoring a goal.

“After a difficult start personally this year, gotten injured and been struggling with that, it meant a lot to get my first goal this year and for the club. I’m grateful for Galaxy for giving me the opportunity, like I said earlier, to be myself on the field,” said Taylor to reporters.

The Finnish winger had earned the starting spot on the right wing over Joseph Paintsil. The work and runs that Taylor has put in since making his first LA Galaxy appearance have always helped the team and made the attack flow better.

“I think Robert’s been really sharp for the last few games, whether he started or he came in. I feel like he’s been playing at a really good speed and a directness with intention,” said Vanney postgame.

Taylor’s form has added much-needed competition on the wings. LA needs to push itself to get better and pick up points; there is no better way than to build that fire internally.

The Galaxy still has work to do to establish itself in the West, as the club sits in 12th place in the West following the victory. There isn’t much time to celebrate the victory as LA travels to Vancouver for a showdown on Wednesday night.

The busiest time of the MLS season has ended with the LA Galaxy making additions to bolster the roster depth.

The summer transfer window is where all the money and players make their moves around the world. The Galaxy wasn’t shy to make moves and retool the roster to aid in the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Gabriel Pec, Matheus Nascimento, Mauricio Cuevas, Edwin Cerrillo, Miki Yamane, and Ruben Ramos Jr. departed the club in the last few months.

The club brought in Sergi Roberto, Kyogo Furuhashi, Robert Taylor, Lucas Calegari, and Pablo Ruiz. It also has Hirving “Chucky” Lozano on loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

LA moved on from some key pillars of the 2024 MLS Cup-winning team, but their replacements are seasoned veterans. No players are coming in that will take time to develop as the race to secure a playoff spot continues.

“I think we’ve made the group a lot more competitive, a lot deeper, and we think we have a lot of high character guys who’ve come in, and who are excited to be here,” said General Manager Will Kuntz to the media.

“I think this is a deep roster. We like it now. We like it in the future. I think it’s got a lot of different ways to combine and play good football. We know where we are, and there certainly is a mentality of ‘hey, it’s time to knuckle down,’ and that goes from everyone throughout the building,” added Kuntz.

The roster is more filled out with players who know how MLS operates and players not yet out of their primes. It’s why this set of moves is seen as more of a team retool rather than a full-on rebuild.

“We do get a little bit of maturity. I think we get a couple of guys who also just the profiles and the way they play the game really settle into what our style of play is,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney after training on Thursday.

Vanney, in the middle of his sixth season with the club, has emphasized the importance of having the right set of players to make his possession-based playstyle work. During his talk with the media, he seemed content with the options he could use in the middle of the park.

“We’ve got space creators and space users… We've got guys who want to receive the ball behind the back line, and we’ve got guys who want to receive the ball between the lines. And so you need the balance of all of these things in order for a team that wants to use the ball to be effective,” said Vanney,

Quality is no longer a question on the roster; can this team gel together to make the playoffs? Will the club be limping into the postseason or cruise with ease?

“I think we have a really interesting group at the moment that does fit together nicely. It’s just how quickly we can get them to fit together, which is going to be the race for all of us,” said Vanney.

“It’s a tight schedule the rest of the way,” said Kuntz.

“That’s why we want to have as much depth as possible. We feel like we’ve really addressed that… Not a lot of time, but I really like our chances.”

Two New Additions

Lucas Calegari returns to the LA Galaxy permanently. The 2023 LA Galaxy Defender of the Year was on loan with the club, but a severe ACL injury prevented the move from becoming permanent.

He spent time in Brazil, Portugal, and Türkiye before his return to the Galaxy. LA signed him through June 2029, and he will take up an international roster spot.

“I’m very excited about Lucas. He’s really wanted to be here ever since he got hurt. I don’t think Lucas has missed a game since his injury. He’s really excited to be back here,” said Kuntz.

“(Calegari) is a player who’s going to want to be out there every day, but he also is going to understand that we have a great young player that we’re also trying to bring along.” Said Vanney.

19-year-old Harbor Miller was the lone right back on the roster following the departures of Cuevas and Yamane. With Calegari, there is competition at the position that the Galaxy looks to develop within the roster.

“Harbor will continue to play. Lucas will continue to find his opportunities. That’s what good teams do, and that’s what good players need,” said Vanney about the competition at the position.

The addition of Pablo Ruiz adds more veteran leadership and MLS experience, but most importantly, he’s a left-footed midfielder.

“Pablo, left-footed midfielder, which is something we’ve wanted for a long time,” said Kuntz.

“We’ve always been talking about we would love an interior player who is left‑footed, who likes to take the game from right to left, because we’re a team that likes to go from left to right a lot… I think it can provide some balance,” said Vanney about the addition of Ruiz.

LA traded $400,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money to RSL for Ruiz. The 27-year-old is signed through December 2026, with club options for 2027 and 2028. Should the Galaxy not feel like he’s the right fit, there are options to not make this a long-term deal.

Other Notes:

• Ruben Ramos Jr. heads to Sporting Kansas City on loan. There is an option for this to become a permanent deal with a sell-on clause included.

• “We were really excited for him. I’m very excited about this opportunity for Ruben and what it means for his and our future,” said Kuntz about the loan for Ramos.

• Vanney says Joao Klauss “trained in full this week”. There will be more work this week to assess if he’s ready to get into game action this weekend against New England. Klauss has been out since April.

• “We didn’t have attacking option beginning of the restart of the World Cup break… but again, there’s no excuse anymore. So now we have to get the results,” said Maya Yoshida about the upcoming games. Yoshida is adamant about getting points and climbing the standings following the end of the transfer window.

The LA Galaxy’s 3-1 loss to San Diego FC on Saturday night highlighted the progress that is still needed for the G’s to become a playoff team.

The home side scored the opening goal of the match through Elias Achouri in the 11^th minute of the match. A ball to the back post led to a loose ball in the box that the Tunisian put away.

LA recorded only two touches in the opponent’s half through the first 45 compared to San Diego’s 23 touches. That stat tells the story of how the home side dominated in possession. It was clear LA wasn’t at the same level as San Diego to start the match.

Just three minutes into the second half, Kieran Sargeant scored San Diego’s second of the night. Just like that, the home side had gained full control of the match.

It seemed like LA’s night was over, but Jeppe Tverskov’s red card in the 50^th minute was the moment. A key pillar for the dominant San Diego midfield was gone and LA took advantage quickly.

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano’s moment scored in the 55^th minute as he finished a loose ball in the box and scored his first goal in Galaxy colors. After almost nine months of no action, Lozano made his former team pay in front of the home crowd that adored him.

LA thought it had the tying goal through Kyogo Furuhashi, but the goal was disallowed after VAR found a foul in the buildup to the goal.

That was the sliding doors moment of the game. Amahl Pellegrino took advantage of a transition moment and scored the third goal for the home side. Even with playing with a man up, LA’s moment to take advantage didn’t grow into anything more.

“This is a team that you don’t want to get separated from back to front,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney postgame.

“I just I felt like we went from the elation of scoring and then scoring being back in the game to sort of the emotional gut punch of ‘we’re going to take that goal back’, and I think the we were having so much success being super aggressive, but when the play stops for five six minutes, right, the opposition has a little chance to reorganize to catch their breath,” added Vanney.

The main theme of the game from an LA Galaxy perspective was the external factors that halted the moments of momentum.

“There were just some really key moments inside of this game that fell down to some calls and some officiating… whenever that happens, the referee is the center of attention,” said Vanney.

The inconsistencies were clear throughout many moments of the match. Whether that was yellow cards getting handout early, inconsistencies for fouls, and the VAR moment that changed the course of the game and momentum for the Galaxy.

Vanney let his frustrations be known to the media.

“For me, the whole game had varying levels of what’s a foul and what’s not a foul, and that’s what I can’t live with,” said Vanney.

The loss drops the LA Galaxy to 13th in the Western Conference.

Lozano’s Return

San Diego FC made Chucky Lozano their North Star, as he was the first-ever player signed for the club. The Mexican winger added the star power to get the people hyped for San Diego’s first MLS season.

That star flamed out, and now he’s aggressively booed by the fans that adored him a year ago.

“I know the circumstances of the match... they are with their team; it’s their team, and they have to defend it. I respect that it’s the emotion of the game. That’s what they come for: to enjoy it, to experience it, and to let out all that emotion,” said Lozano about the atmosphere at Snapdragon Stadium.

Every time he was brought to the ground, the crowd cheered. The boo’s grew louder with every touch.

“I thought he handled himself like a professional. I thought he was excellent,” said Vanney about Lozano.

“I just felt like Chucky did a really nice job of playing with emotion, but not playing with too much emotion. And that’s a very fine line in a game like this,” added Vanney.

The emotion did come out during his goal in the second half of the match. He celebrated with his teammates and started a run of momentum that would propel LA as it searched for a game-tying goal.

“To be honest, I experienced that first goal to the fullest... at the time, we were down 2–1, and then I think about five minutes later that (goal) happened... my teammates were absolutely thrilled, they enjoyed it... But unfortunately, it was disallowed, and well, that’s football,” said Lozano about his moment.

“Sometimes it comes down to small details that are out of your control but well, that’s just how it is,” he added.

He might have lost the game but Lozano was still an impact player. He led the team with nine touches in the box, shots on target, and tied for chances created. This was also his first time playing 90 minutes since joining the Galaxy.

““It’s a process… new players are coming in, players who are just settling in, myself included. So, it’s a process,” said Lozano.

“We’re getting on the same page, adapting to one another; we have very little time and well, I think we’re taking it step by step.”

It’s hard to find a drawback from 34-year-old Spanish Midfielder Sergi Roberto.

The former Barcelona captain arrived in Los Angeles over the weekend to play for the “best club” in Major League Soccer.

“For me, Galaxy has always been the best club since I started following the league,” said Roberto to reporters after Thursday’s training.

“I’m here to give my maximum for this club, to help it win another championship.”

Head Coach Greg Vanney has raved about the Spaniard’s playstyle and his quality on the ball but emphasized his leadership values.

“What I’ve talked about with (Sergi), and what I’ve understood with everybody I’ve talked to around him, is he’s a big communicator, and he communicates with his hands and his voice, and he’s telling people where to go and what to do,” said Vanney.

“To be honest, that’s the leader we need in this group right now.”

Roberto comes at a key time for the six-time MLS Cup winners.

The team is in the rat race for playoff spots and during streak of red cards in its past three games. It’s not the end of the world, but this portion of the season can tip the scales of momentum in favor of or against the LA Galaxy.

“We’re at an important moment in the season, with the playoffs approaching, and we have to be focused,” said Roberto

The quality he had to the midfield comes in the form of his soccer IQ and technical class on the ball. Vanney says that it was clear to see how quickly he can get on the same page with teammates during this week’s training.

“It took 15 minutes of a scrimmage yesterday to see he and Marco just kind of fall into rhythm almost,” described Vanney.

“When one moves, the other fills the space and it’s just super fluid because they’re playing with their awareness and their mind and their vision,” he added.

Vanney’s been singing the praises of Roberto since this move was announced. He’s made it clear that Roberto is key to this Galaxy team taking that next step forward.

“I think he raises our ceiling a great deal, and I think he raises just our capacity to dominate and control a midfield to another level,” said Vanney.

Roberto knows his value to this team and the way Vanney wants to play.

“We did some video meetings as well, so I can see the way we prepare games and the way the coach wants to play,” said Roberto.

“I’m here for that, for us to play football, dominate matches, create many chances, and be able to win every game,” he added.

It’s hard to ignore the positive energy Roberto has as a member of the Galaxy and playing in MLS. This new chapter of his career provides a new experience, especially as many of his ex-teammates have gone to South Beach.

“Other (Former) teammates have gone to Miami, but the Galaxy is a much more historic club, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” said Roberto.

“We have a very good team, and I think we can fight for everything.”

It was a moment years in the making.

From the LA Galaxy academy to Ventura County FC, the U.S. Youth National Team to a night in Montreal, Ruben Ramos Jr. has been building toward this. The 19-year-old scored his first career goal for the LA Galaxy in the 20th minute of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with CF Montreal.

“Finally happy it came. I’ve been waiting almost two years for it,” said Ramos.

“I’d like to thank God first. It just felt like an unreal moment. I didn’t even know if it hit the back of the net.”

Ramos has never been a secret within the Galaxy organization. The La Puente native was a central figure in back-to-back MLS Next U17 Cup wins and has represented the U.S. at the youth level since 2024.

Most recently, he announced himself on a regional stage at the Concacaf U20 Championship as he recorded four goals, one assist, and a spot in the tournament’s best XI.

He carried that confidence back to LA with a clear intention.

“The confidence I’ve gained from the national team, I definitely want to bring it here because I want to help the team as much as I can,” he said earlier this month.

Saturday night gave him the chance to prove it.

With Marco Reus absent from the trip to Canada, the door opened for Ramos to start. He walked through it with one thing on his mind.

“I wanted to score my first goal. That was at the top of my mind when I knew I was starting. Having that confidence from the coach really helped me out today,” said Ramos.

The moment arrived in the 20th minute. With LA a goal down and searching for a response, Ramos read the play perfectly and found himself in exactly the right position to poke home the equalizer.

“I started running and felt like I was in another world. When I scored, I was just happy overall,” he said with a smile.

Head Coach Greg Vanney liked what he saw from the youngster. “It’s great for Ruben to get his first goal. He has a knack for getting into good spots, and he’s a good finisher,” said.

What will accelerate Ramos’s development at the senior level is the access he has to players who have been at the highest levels of the game. Sharing a locker room with the likes of Marco Reus, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, and Kyogo Furuhashi has given him a daily challenge to push him every training session.

All three are players who have flourished in their careers and know what it takes to become reliable players for their teams.

“I have a lot of questions for them because obviously they have experience in the Champions League and all over the world. I try to get as much information from them and translate that into my game,” said Ramos. “Their advice helped me out today a lot. I’d like to thank them for all the information and advice they’ve given me so far.”

Saturday night will forever be remembered in the mind of Ramos. It can be a moment he needs to go from prospect to reliable squad player for his hometown team.

The LA Galaxy's 2-2 draw with CF Montreal is a draw that feels like a loss. The match in Canada had its highs but also lows that continue to highlight LA’s issues.

Daniel Rios opened the scoring for the home side. He finished off a chance at the far post after JT Marcinkowski got a touch of the ball, but couldn’t parry away from the goal.

19-year-old Ruben Ramos Jr tied the match for the LA Galaxy in the 20^th minute. It was his first career goal in 18 appearances in LA Galaxy colors.

LA extends its lead in the second half from an unlikely source. Defender Maya Yoshida with a back heel in the middle of the box. It was the 7^th career goal for the G’s.

The Galaxy once again continues to make it harder on themselves. A poorly timed attempt to win back the ball by Marcinkowski led to a red card for the 29-year-old in the 68^th minute. It’s the third straight game with a red card for the LA Galaxy.

Montreal took advantage of the red card and scored in the 80^th minute to level the match. Prince Owusu scored his 14^th goal of the season by beating Yoshida to a header inside the box.

The Galaxy had a moment deep into stoppage time with substitute Hirving “Chucky” Lozano in a one-on-one chance against Montreal’s Thomas Gillier. Lozano was unable to get a shot on target, and the Galaxy finished the game with a point.

“We were up, and I thought generally we were getting down to getting pretty close to just kind of close out minutes, the final what 15 or so up a goal. So yeah, I felt like when you do that, you set yourself up for three points. Then you've got to try to see it out,” said Vanney about the game.

He was honest about his thoughts on Marcinkowski's red card, which was the turning point in the match.

“I just don’t think JT needed to come for that necessarily, based on where the player was and the direction he was running. I just don’t think he really needed to try to make a play. He thought he could get there in time, and obviously he didn’t. So leaves us left us in a tough position,” he said.

Three straight games with red cards are something rare in football and something Vanney has never seen in his career.

“Sometimes it’s just poor decisions. Sometimes, you know, lack of awareness, whatever. There’s been different reasons for different choices,” said Vanney about the plays that have brought his side to 10 men in each game this week.

“At the end of the week, if you already said we took three red cards, but we managed to take four points, you probably wouldn’t bat an eye at that, but we’re at that point, especially here by being up a goal where the three points was the mission,” said Vanney about the situation.

The attack also had its ups and downs, especially in transition. Joseph Paintsil, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Robert Taylor had their moments individually, but struggled to get on the same page often when moments in transition arrived.

“Sometimes I think we can make a little bit better runs for each other, and just to sort of unbalance the defense and work together in our movements,” said Vanney about these moments.

“Sometimes I think that’s really good, and then we just miss the pass, we overhit it, or we do something just to not connect in the moment,” he added.

The one moment Vanney and the Galaxy wish they could have back was Lozano’s late miss. The Mexican winger was frustrated for missing that chance at the final whistle as Vanney went to console him.

“I just said [To him] just keep your head up, keep working,” said Vanney. “It’s been what his third game here, and every game we played down a man. So we can also help ourselves, as I said to him. We got to help ourselves by keeping 11 on the field, so that when he’s coming into the game, we’re not scrounging out a 10-man result”.

The Galaxy’s next test is on the road to San Diego. This week of football showed the work LA needs to do to improve on disciplined aggression to stop being their worst enemy.

A smile can tell a lot about a person.

It was hard not to notice Hirving “Chucky” Lozano grinning ear to ear, talking about his first LA Galaxy start to reporters on Wednesday night.

The Mexican star was eager to recount how much excitement there was to be in the starting lineup and compete with his team for the first time in almost 10 months. It also marked his first game at Dignity Health Sports Park wearing LA Galaxy colors.

“With a lot of nerves, with a lot of anxiety, with a lot of adrenaline, Since I woke up I was very restless, already on the way here I was very quiet, because many things come to your mind,” said Lozano on his preparations for Wednesday’s match.

“I’m very happy, very happy to be back on the pitch, to step onto the pitch, and to be with the team; I’m really enjoying it,” he said.

The fans are also enjoying the addition of Lozano. The crowd roared every time he received the ball and was serenaded with applause as he walked off the pitch in the 68^th minute.

“From the moment I started playing, they supported me, they shouted at me, and every play I made they cheered me on… it’s a bonus for the players, and especially for me, which motivates me a lot to continue helping the team and the club and bringing joy to the people,” said Lozano.

With nine months of no first-team action, building fitness is the main goal in these first few games Lozano is playing. He himself admits that he needs it to get back to feeling his best.

“Cleary I still need to build up a lot of match rhythm and physical conditioning, but I think I’m feeling really good right now so, so we’re taking it step by step,” said Lozano.

“Yeah, honestly, I feel like I’m at about 70%, I don’t feel 100% yet. I’m still missing a lot of those football-specific elements but well, that’s normal; I hadn’t played for a long time. Honestly, though, I feel really good right now; I think I’m taking it step by step, and physically, I feel great,” he added.

Lozano’s match sharpness isn’t fully there yet but the glimpses of what he can bring emerged in the 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

His quality first touches to receive the ball, not being afraid to take on his man, and the runs to move the backline around were some his best moments in the 68 minutes of action.

Lozano is clearly motivated to rewrite the narrative around him following his exit in San Diego. His hunger to prove himself again is noticeable,

“For me, he’s playing like he has a story to tell about himself, and he wants to tell it on the field, not anywhere else,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney to reporters.

“I’ve been really impressed with just his mentality as he’s come in. He obviously misses playing the game and wants to be out there playing the game,” added Vanney.

With Lozano in the front line, the Galaxy has quite the amount of talent to be a real headache for every team they face. Kyogo Furuhashi and Joseph Paintsil complete the trident upfront with Marco Reus pulling the strings in midfield. It’s a recipe that, given some time, could be a main dish for fans across the league to watch.

“Honestly, the quality is very high. They are great players who have played for major teams and in top leagues,” said Lozano about the potential of the attacking line.

“I haven’t been with the team very long, and we are adapting and getting to know each other... but there is still a bit more to do; they need to understand me, and I need to understand them.”

It’s still way too early to determine if Lozano will end up a success at the LA Galaxy. But he has the right mentality to prove himself during this six-month loan.

“He’s doing everything that you want of a teammate and of a DP and a guy who is going to make our team better,” said Vanney.

“I look forward to how much further he has to go and how much better he’s going to start integrating and get to work with his teammates.”

The LA Galaxy’s winless streak comes to an end following a 1-0 Cali Clasico win in Carson on Wednesday night. Joseph Paintsil was the hero of the night with his lone goal bringing the crowd to life.

This was a gritty win as LA had to finish the game a man down. Lucas Sanabria was late to tackle and received his second yellow card of the night just before halftime. It is the second consecutive match with a red card for the G’s.

The second half saw the Galaxy grow into the game and eventually break the deadlock. LA’s best moments of quick possession saw Harbor Miller send a pass across the goal and find the Ghanaian winger at the far post.

Paintsil’s last MLS goal came against the Quakes in Stanford Stadium in late July. He’s become a regular tormentor for the Northern Californian side.

“If we can keep building his confidence and keep getting him more confident and cleaner in those final actions, the amount of goal contributions he can have can be off the charts,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney after the match.

“I’m happy for him because it’s a confidence thing,” added Vanney.

“You just need to always raise your head high and just keep trying. The most important thing is trying. But if you stop trying, then you are failure,” said Paintsil about his recent form.

Failing to score against the Quakes is something Paintsil doesn’t tend to do. He has six goals in his nine games against the Quakes since joining the LA Galaxy.

“I just do my run. I just do whatever I need to do. I think the goal just came because I was at the right position,” said Paintsil.

Paintsil is now tied with Joao Klauss with five goals in MLS this season, the most on the LA Galaxy. Should Paintsil be a regular on the scoresheet, LA will establish itself as a playoff contender.

“We did better with the margins”

The LA Galaxy’s fight after going down to 10 men was the main talking point of the game. Another game of going down a man to a quality team isn’t ideal when trying to end a winless run. But the LA Galaxy fought and expended a lot of energy to get a win in front of the home fans for the first time since April.

“Sometimes winning the hard way is even better for the mentality and the spirit of the group as you embark upon an important last part of the season,” said Vanney postgame.

J.T Marcinkowski had multiple quality saves to keep the clean sheet. With Sanabria out, Justin Haak elevated his involvement in both the defensive and attacking phases of the game. Harbor Miller’s engine didn’t give out as his pace became a real issue for San Jose’s backline as the game went on. Everyone did their part to work for a positive result on the night.

“I just felt like the mentality grew as the game grew… I thought the guys started to believe that they could get a win out of the game, and they found their moment,” he added.

There are still many questions about the LA Galaxy that remain following this game. It wasn’t a convincing win, and LA didn’t look up to par when the game was 11v11. Either way, Vanney is happy that the team executed in key moments to keep all three points.

“Tonight we did better with the margins. We didn’t make mistakes that really cost us,” said Vanney.

“This team has the capacity… to show the qualities that we have, but also the maturity and what it takes to understand how to win different types of games.”

This game wasn’t sexy. It wasn’t satisfying to watch. Nor does it feel like a real turning point just yet.

But the Galaxy showed that when it needs to show grit and heart, it will fight with everything it’s got.

With Joao Klauss out until at least the end of the month, according to LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney, the majority of the load at striker will come from Kyogo Furuhashi.

The Japanese striker spoke to the media for the first time since his arrival at the LA Galaxy.

“First and foremost, I’m very happy to be here. I’m glad that I got my first game under my belt… It’s been a very good experience so far,” said Furuhashi via interpreter.

He played in 23 minutes off the bench in LA’s scoreless draw with FC Dallas. But in his limited time with the team, he’s excited to compete and see how he can help LA climb the table in the Western Conference.

“I know my time here has been short so far, but the Galaxy’s offensive style is holding the ball and at times hitting them with the counter. I’m especially proficient in both of those areas. Through practice, I want to incorporate myself and use my strengths, as I believe my talents really blend well with what the Galaxy’s game plans are,” he said.

Aside from football, Furuhashi is looking forward to being part of the Japanese community in Los Angeles. He revealed that he talked to Maya Yoshida about the lifestyle, MLS, and the Galaxy before making a final decision on his future.

Furuhashi built a great legacy at Celtic during his time in Scotland and is looking forward to hopefully establishing something similar in LA.

“I want to be obviously first and foremost be remembered as a great player, but also I want to be a player that kids look up to and kids watch my game and say, ‘Hey, I want to play soccer. I want to be like him,” said Furuhashi.

“So yeah, that’s his biggest legacy that I want to leave behind.”

Importance of Sergi

With all eyes and attention on Chucky Lozano, it was fellow new signing Sergi Roberto that Vanney couldn’t stop raving about following Thursday’s training session.

“You can’t play the way I want to play the game without a midfield that is able to control the game, dictate the game,” said Vanney.

“We’ve become, over the last couple of years, a team that works from outside in, when we were once a team that worked from inside out. My hope is Sergi and the relationships he’s able to build… can give us something that’s a little different,” said Vanney.

The veteran midfielder is a high-IQ player, and his technical ability is what makes him stand out against the rest of LA’s current options in the middle of the park. Vanney used the word vital multiple times when talking about his importance to the team.

Vanney also praised the type of leader and person he is.

“With Sergi Roberto, I’ve just heard nothing but amazing things about him as a leader and as a member of a team, but also a guy who can really coach and direct out on the field in a very positive way,” said Vanney.

“Some of his greatest strengths, in talking to people who have worked with him, are one, his defensive game reading and his capacity to help you just lead a defensive press or a plan, but secondly is his recognition of when to move into forward spaces and to add himself into the attack or through a line,” added Vanney,

The Spaniard is still awaiting completion of the Visa process to train and play with the team. There is no doubt that Vanney is ready for him to arrive at training and bring that extra quality that’s needed for the Galaxy.

“I can be a Bitch”

Although the U.S didn’t win the Concacaf U20 Championship, Ruben Ramos Jr. impressed the most and showed his abilities among the region’s best youth players. The LA Galaxy academy product scored four goals and one assist in six games.

“It was just a great experience, and me being able to get that shows how I came up through my youth and be able to play there is a good experience for me,” said Ramos Jr.

Ramos has built his way up the youth ranks. He’s been among the best players in the LA Galaxy academy in youth tournaments and has become a regular for the US U20 Youth National Team. It was in this recent tournament where he learned more about himself and what he can truly be capable of.

“One thing I learned for myself was I can be kind of like a bitch…when I’m like that, I started get mad and I started doing my stuff,” said Ramos.

He explained that losing to Mexico a few years ago brought on a chip on his shoulder and it felt like an itch he couldn’t scratch. That motivation and desire to get back to final led to him being a key part of the US journey to the final.

With the tournament behind him, Ramos is focused on developing into a contributor at the club level.

“The confidence I’ve gained from the national team. I would definitely want to bring it here because I want to help the team as much as I can in any way I can,” said Ramos.

“Do whatever I can to just help out the team as much as possible is my goal”.

With goosebumps and the joy of getting to train with a team, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is looking forward to starting his LA Galaxy career.

The Mexican International was in exile in San Diego due to disciplinary issues from the 2025 season. Lozano was told he was not in the sporting plans anymore and would be forced to train on his own if he stayed with the club.

“Coming here with a group, with great players is something very beautiful, very special for me... I get goosebumps when I start being part of a group again,” said Lozano in Spanish to the media after Tuesday’s training.

The reaction to the signing of the Mexican international has been polarizing for much of the fan base. Reactions from both Los Angeles and San Diego have fueled the discourse surrounding Lozano.

“I know who I am as a person, and I believe I am a great person... I am going to give my absolute best for this club. I am very ambitious, and I believe I can really help this club,” said Lozano.

“I have to think about the here and now; I have to prove myself, win over my teammates, and fight for a spot,” added the Mexican winger.

The disciplinary questions surrounding Lozano take over when you talk about the former Napoli and PSV winger. But LA Galaxy manager Will Kuntz made sure to dig into the weeds and find out as much about the person Lozano is before pulling the trigger to make this move official.

“We called everybody from sporting directors to team admins, video analysts, data analysts. We really tried to get a full picture of everything as a player and a person, said Kuntz about the process of finding out more about Lozano.

“We talked to enough people in and around it in San Diego, and it came back across the board: like a good guy, a good teammate, does everything for the club, you know, does everything for the fans,” said Kuntz.

Lozano will be with the Galaxy on a six-month loan with a purchase clause that the SoCal club can activate. There are 15 games left to go, but Kuntz believes that is more than enough time to decide on Lozano.

“This is the type of thing that we’re going to know in weeks rather than months how the fit is,” said Kuntz

“The one thing we told Hirving throughout this process is, look, doesn’t matter what I think, doesn’t matter what my bosses think, doesn’t matter what Greg thinks. The one person who can control whether or not Hirving stays is Hirving.”

“That’s something to be commended”

The 2026 World Cup was supposed to be a special moment for Lozano. Just a year ago, he looked on pace to be selected on the Mexican National Team roster for his contributions in San Diego. Getting to play a home World Cup is a dream for any player, especially for Lozano, who would’ve been called up for his third World Cup.

That never ended up happening.

With San Diego forcing him to train alone, the only option to get back into the World Cup fold was to move away. But that would come at the cost of the stability his family was enjoying.

“The one question I had for Chucky throughout all of this was, you know, how do you miss the World Cup in your home country?” said Kuntz about talks with Lozano during this signing process.

It was at this moment that Lozano got emotional about the situation and shed light on why.

“He said it was the hardest decision he’d ever had to make… he had to make a decision between his family’s stability and chasing the World Cup,” Kuntz.

“After trying so hard to get to MLS and having a really successful season, and his family having a really stable environment in San Diego. That wasn’t something that he was willing to uproot, and he was willing to miss a World Cup for that,” said Kuntz

“And I actually think that’s something to be commended”.

Sergi Roberto inbound

Lozano isn’t the only notable incoming. Former Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto is on his way to the Galaxy and will arrive once his P1 Visa is approved.

“Sergi and several other players are very, very important players of great quality and I’m really excited to be part of a dressing room like that. It’s a real plus,” said Lozano about the addition of Roberto to the Galaxy.

The 34-year-old has been on LA’s radar for some time. With Edwin Cerrillo leaving and Roberto available as a free agent, this was the perfect chance to bring him to the Galaxy.

“We always knew that we were going to look to add a defensive midfield presence, but we also wanted to make sure that we had somebody who brought a lot of character to the group, a lot of experience, and Sergi does that,” said Kuntz about the signing.

Kuntz made sure to look into who Roberto is as a leader and off the field presence. He held talks with Cesc Fabregas, his coach at Como, and other people within the club to see how the Spanish midfielder could fit in the locker room.

“There’s no game he hasn’t played in, no big moment he hasn’t been in,” said Kuntz. He hopes Robertro can be a good reference point for younger players like Lucas Sanabria, Elijah Wynder, and Harbor Miller.

Kuntz isn’t done with making roster moves. He told reporters that the club is in the process of transferring away Miki Yamane. Kuntz also made sure to say they are looking at players to fill the vacant U22 spot on the roster, but will not rush to make the signing.

For Kuntz, it's about being ready once the tree leaves change color and the MLS Cup playoffs come around.

“The most important thing is that we put together a squad that can make a real run down the stretch in the playoffs.”

The LA Galaxy’s 2026 season has been a study in frustration and flashes. This season has felt like a slow-burning show that has its dull moments but can also pick up the pace.

Moments of genuine quality are buried under defensive lapses and injury setbacks to players. That’s been one of the themes of the season.

But the roster is shifting. This summer has seen some big decisions being made for the future spine of this roster.

Sergi Roberto is here. Chucky Lozano is here. And with the second half of the season ahead, now is the right time to take stock and grade the players honestly, though this first half of the MLS season.

But first, more on LA’s newest signing and why he might be the floor raiser nobody expected.

Sergi Roberto Scout Report

The Sergi Roberto news came out of left field for everyone in LA Galaxy land. There had been some minor links to the former Barcelona player a couple of years ago, but that had died down completely.

The transfer of Edwin Cerrillo to Club America meant that there was a need to add depth in the middle of the pitch. Roberto, 34, joins LA after two seasons with Como in Serie A where he made 37 appearances.

The Spanish midfielder fills a need that LA desperately lacks – a technical deep-lying playmaker midfielder. While Lucas Sanabria and Elijah Wynder provide the tenacity and bite on the defensive end, they lack the technical ability to be consistent connectors and build up possession.

The high football IQ is there as he came up through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, where reading the game and technical ability are etched into the minds of players. These traits alone are why Cesc Fabregas wanted to bring the former Barcelona captain to be part of his project in Como. And now why LA is bringing him over across the Atlantic.

Playing time in the last few years hasn’t been one of Roberto's strong suits. He’s battled through injuries that have limited how much playing time he’s gotten in Italy. Here’s a look at his injury record over the past few years.

With a player like Roberto, LA has someone who is more than comfortable getting a high volume of touches. In watching his last few meaningful starts for Como, he’s always scanning the spaces to occupy in possession to be an outlet to recycle the possession to. He’s a smart player who will read how possessions are building up to vacate space or tell others to move into it.

Not to mention, he’s not afraid to make those deep runs from midfield to add an extra body to the attack. He’s been trained his whole life to take up space even if it means he won’t get the ball – that’s something that LA’s current midfield struggles to grasp for 90 minutes.

The one drawback is that Roberto isn’t going to be an asset on the defensive side of the game. He’s going to look to cut out passing lanes rather than get into tackles.

Given that Lucas Sanabria’s playstyle strengths are the opposite of Roberto's, LA has paired a Yin-Yang of playing styles that, in theory, should complement each other very well on the pitch.

Elite JT

One question that has been answered this season is who the man between the goalposts is.

J.T Marcinkowski’s story from devastating injury to one of the top MLS goalkeepers this season is nothing short of remarkable.

“I think I possess great leadership within the locker room. I think I can help the backline with my communication. I think at the end of the day it’s just about making saves,” said Marcinkowski back in April about what makes him stand out compared to Novak Micovic.

The 29-year-old ranks sixth in America Soccer Analysis’ Shot stopping metric (calculated via post-shot expected goals – goals). His 72.9% save percentage is currently the highest of his career, according to data from FBRef.com.

The eye test backs that up as he’s made crucial saves at critical moments for the LA Galaxy.

“I’ve really tried to focus my attention this entire year of just being in the moment and being present, and not thinking about the result… just taking the match in five-minute segments and working from there, and I think that’s been beneficial,” said Marcinkowski after LA’s 1-1 draw to San Jose in July.

Midseason Player Grades

(Only players with 600 or more minutes played)

J.T Marcinkowski: A-

Just gave the data and reasons why he’s been great for LA this season. His recent formed combined with what Mićović was providing beforehand make it easier to see how much of an asset he is for the club.

Julian Aude: C+

The Argentine has struggled to be a starter in his four seasons with the club. This season has shown more inconsistencies than usual. It makes me wonder if this second half of the season is his last chance to put it all together

John Nelson: B

Solid player that does his job. No notes other than we all wish we had co-workers like him. His contract extension looks like a good bit of business as well.

Jakob Glesnes: B+

The quality he has is so clear to see when you watch him. He’s had a dip in form since the restart of the season, but he’s still able to make defending look effortless.

Justin Haak: B-

Center back or midfielder? That’s the one question I really want to have decided. In LA’s recent game against Dallas, Haak dominated and played smoothly when in possession. He’s been good but not elite this season. He’s not been bad, nor has he been essential to LA’s season.

Maya Yoshida: C+

A couple of errors this season where Yoshida has been at the root of. His importance to the team culture and locker room cannot be overstated but he’s not at that level on the pitch anymore.

Emiro Garces: F

I was really high on Garces growing into one of the best center-backs in MLS. He has all the tools to become that, but he struggles to control his aggressive manner on the pitch. Two clumsy red cards this season, he’s losing the trust of Greg Vanney with almost every passing game.

Miki Yamane: B-

Yamane’s been a steady presence in his three years with the club. He holds his own on both sides of the ball, but you can see that his athleticism is starting to decline a bit.

Harbor Miller: B

The 19-year-old plays like he has no tomorrow. The energy and work rate he brings, either as a full back or winger, is much needed. Still a very raw player and lacks consistent decision-making, but looks ready to have more responsibility fall onto his shoulders now.

Lucas Sanabria: B

Similar to Haak, Sanabria has held a couple of different roles in LA’s system. He’s played the 6, 8, and almost like a target striker when it comes to fighting for long balls. I see that he’s greatly improved his possession numbers compared to last season and should benefit from the arrival of Roberto to the squad.

Elijah Wynder: F

The project to develop Wynder into a quality MLS player has hit a wall. The athleticism and physical gifts are present when you watch him play, but his influence in games is similar to a ghost.

He can’t create, he’s not going to break through lines from a deep position, nor is he really a threat to crash the box when he should be.

The moments are there, but you’d expect to see more things he can build upon rather than glimpses.

Marco Reus: A

Without a doubt, the LA Galaxy’s best player this season. He’s been keeping LA’s floor high all season.

He ranks in the 97^th percentile of MLS when it comes to chances created (3.07) on a per 90 basis according to FotMob. His 26 chances created are tied for second, according to FotMob.

Joseph Paintsil: B

The best way I can describe Paintsil this season is as a one-trick pony. He’s amazing at capitalizing on open space with his pace and directness. But subpar at everything else. If he is more consistent at finishing his chances, without a doubt, he’d be one of the best players in MLS.

The LA Galaxy didn’t provide much to celebrate in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with FC Dallas. But when the final whistle blew, the most interesting conversation of the day was in the press conference room.

General Manager Will Kuntz stepped in front of reporters ready to take questions about the club’s ongoing roster changes. A new Designated Player arriving by the end of the week. Edwin Cerrillo on the verge of departure. Tampering allegations surrounding Casemiro. A frank admission that this season hasn’t gone the way anyone planned.

Kuntz’s press conference felt like a “State of the Galaxy” moment that doesn’t come very often. Here’s everything noteworthy from Kuntz’s chat with the media.

Designated Player on the Way

The open Designated Player spot on the LA Galaxy will mold the direction the club takes to get back into contention for the MLS Cup.

They can either get an ageing star and have a smaller championship window or buy a younger player with high potential to develop into a star. The LA Galaxy took the ladder route with Gabriel Pec, and it ended up winning a championship.

LA’s did not leave a trail to follow for any of its recent signings but Kuntz made it clear this upcoming week will be a moment to reveal the new face of the G’s.

“I think we are very close to our third DP… our expectation is that he’ll be here by the end of the week,” Kuntz told reporters.

“We’re very close to two more pieces that are going to be additions on top of what we’ve seen from Robert [Taylor and Kyogo [Furuhashi] so far,” he added.

Kutz made it clear: This is the week for LA to unveil the player they believe will turn this team back into contenders.

Cautious with the U22

Aside from the Designated Player spot, the LA Galaxy also has a U22 roster spot open. This allows the Galaxy to sign a young prospect without worrying about the transfer fee making the player a DP. The cap hit is also lower for these players.

Kuntz emphasises that they’re looking for the right player who can develop properly and be a real asset for the club.

“It’s really important to get the right U‑22. If you look at the history of the position in the league, a lot of these guys take a little while to develop and come along so we want to make sure it’s the right kid,” Kuntz told reporters.

Cerrillo on the Move

The Galaxy has seen Pec, Matheus Nascimento and Maurico Cuevas leave the club in the last few months. Everything looks set for Edwin Cerrillo’s name to be added to the list.

Kuntz confirmed with reporters that Cerrillo is in “late stage negotiation” to leave the G’s. No team was named but he made it clear that it was very close to becoming official.

Cerrillo has been part of the club since 2023 and played a key role in the 2024 Championship team. The 25-year-old rolled his ankle in training at was left out of the matchday squad “out of abundance of caution, with a potential deal pending” according to Kuntz.

Losing the midfielder will be a major blow to the depth in the position but Kuntz was reassuring in getting another body in that sector of the pitch.

If Edwin goes, we’re going to need some more support in the midfield… we will definitely look to bolster our midfield.”

Casemiro Investigation

The LA Galaxy’s interest in former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro was real. The G’s looked to add his experience and pedigree to the squad, but the Brazilian chose to make Inter Miami his home in MLS.

The league released a statement following the official transfer announcement, saying it was looking into tampering allegations. The tampering has to do with LA holding the Brazilians discovery rights and right to negotiate with him.

Casemiro has stated that he told the Galaxy that he always had the intention of playing for Inter Miami, but Kuntz told that story from a different perspective.

“It is true that Casemiro called and said that he always wanted to play at Inter Miami. It’s also true that that came two months after he told us that he only wanted to play for the Galaxy,” Kuntz told reporters

“So I think, do with that what you will.”

Managing the Calendar Change.

Aside from thinking about making improvements for now, Kuntz’s main job is responsibly managing LA’s roster.

“There’s a sort of three‑legged‑stool conversation… this year, which is incredibly important for us… you’ve got the sprint season next year, which is going to be its own kind of animal… and also realigning everything such that we’re at full strength when we flip the calendar,” said Kuntz about what he’s thinking about during this time of roster management.

The return of Riqui Puig, Joao Klauss’ future, the new designated player, and roster flexibility to make win-now moves are something Kuntz will have to consider over the next year.

“We want to manage these three different aspects to keep flexibility alive… it’s a sort of rotating list of priorities.”

Performance Assessment

There’s no doubt that this LA Galaxy hasn’t gone the way many would’ve wanted. After the draw at home to Dallas, the G’s sit in 12^th place in the Western Conference.

“We haven’t been good enough so far this year. I think everybody would acknowledge that. I think we have a better group than we’ve shown,” said Kuntz about the season.

“This is a league where playing your best later in the season matters more… I’m glad we haven’t played our best yet, and I feel really positive that as we get healthy and as these new guys come in and gel with the group, we have a chance to be pretty dangerous,” he added.

When asked about Head Coach Greg Vanney, Kuntz made it clear he’s backing him despite the growing critics.

“We’ve seen what happens when we’ve got the right group for Greg and everybody’s healthy. His track record speaks to that,” said Kuntz.

“if Greg is feeling pressure, it’s because I’m not doing something right.”

“We need the three points at home.”

John Nelson and the LA Galaxy haven’t had the ideal start to the MLS season after the World Cup break. Back-to-back home losses and leaving San Jose with a point after leading the match have made the desire for a win strong among LA’s players.

“We need to get the momentum going. You know, something for us, something for the fans,” said Nelson.

After this Saturday’s game against FC Dallas, LA will not return to action for 14 days due to the two-week break for Leagues Cup. The team can either enter the break with the feeling of victory or with the sour taste of defeat.

“We don’t want to go into this break with, ‘oh we should have done that, or that should have been better’ so that’s why three points are that much more important,” said Nelson.

To get closer to victory, LA’s worked all week on defending and being more connected on the pitch.

“We need a clean sheet,” said Nelson.

“I think we’re just letting in goals way too easily, and then again, it’s not just the back line…there’s too many times on the field we lose the ball in a bad spot and we’re so open and the counter is so easy for teams to break through us.

Head Coach Greg Vanney agreed with that and brought up the struggles in possession.

“I don’t think we’ve been as smooth at times in some of our longer in our possession moments, so we’ve defended a little more and played a little more in transition,” he said.

In the reverse fixture, Dallas made sure to capitalize on LA’s sloppy possession moments. Defender Maya Yoshida had a bad touch that led to Dallas’ first goal and back pressing on Gabriel Pec was the genesis of their second goal that day.

“They’re a team that plays with a high risk, high-reward approach defensively, very aggressive in the way they press and counter-press,” said Vanney.

It was in that game that Joao Klauss was injured, and now this weekend’s game could feature another striker playing up top. Kyōgo Furuhashi is available for selection this weekend and could make his LA Galaxy debut. The Japanese striker was recently acquired from Birmingham City.

Adding the Japanese attacker to the squad is the bit of momentum Nelson and the Galaxy are seeking.

“If we can get the first goal, get the crowd on our side, just momentum, just something, a little spark, then I think we’re fine,” said Nelson.

One of the major stories of the week was Dylan Vanney joining La Liga side Real Betis on loan for the 26-27 season. The attacking midfielder is the son of coach Vanney and has come through the LA Galaxy academy.

He led the LA Galaxy’s U-19s to an MLS NEXT Cup Championship, where he earned MVP honors in 2025. With MLS Next affiliate Ventura County FC, Vanney has 12 goals and six assists in 47 appearances.

“There’s no secret, it’s complicated at the Galaxy with him and me being in the position I am in,” said Greg Vanney

“(Dylan) coming through the system, lots of things are complicated. Young players need space to make mistakes, to grow, to learn, to evolve, get lots of minutes. All those kinds of things exist.”

Despite having his moments at youth tournaments or with Ventura County, Dylan Vanney has never made an appearance for the first team. Other academy teammates of his have played with the first team, but not Vanney, despite his credentials as one of the most accomplished players in the academy.

“You can ask any of the coaches in the league who’ve had sons that have been coming through their academies, and it’s just a complicated situation,” said Greg Vanney.

Nonetheless, Dylan Vanney’s move to Betis has been in the works for some time. The 18-year-old visited the Spanish side in January and set up the loan during the trip.

“He’ll go to a club in a system, in a style, in a culture of football, that I think he really fits,” said Greg Vanney.

“He’ll learn, and he’ll grow… he’ll learn another language, he learns another culture… No matter what, he’s going to grow from it. Hopefully he excels from it.”

“In our household, it’s always been: don’t worry about all the other stuff. Just stay focused on making yourself better every single day. The noise, the distractions, you don’t really need them,” added Vanney.