Column: Evaluating potential backup striker options for the LA Galaxy
As the transfer window approaches, the Galaxy could look to add to the quality in the striker room ahead of a playoff run.
The LA Galaxy’s trip to Dallas was defined by one moment, which was the ultimate difference between the two sides.
Petar Musa’s goal in the 28th minute showed the value of a striker and how they can be the difference between wins and losses.
The Galaxy had started the game without a striker due to Dejan Joveljic being ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The backup striker, Miguel Berry, didn’t start this game as coach Greg Vanney used Diego Fagundez as a false nine.
LA only had two shots from inside the box (none were on target) while the other seven shots were from outside of the box. When Berry came into the game, it was similar to his other performances leading the front line; lacking dangerous shots towards the goalkeeper and underwhelming holdup play when in possession of the ball.
Vanney mentioned in his postgame presser that looking for a backup striker is something the club would consider as the transfer window nears. Joveljic is developing an injury history and Berry isn’t cutting it with his lack of goals this season.
“Will (Kuntz) and the guys are figuring through our resources and what options are available. Certainly things we've talked about,” said Vanney.
I’ll be putting on my General Manager hat and look at a few possible players within MLS that the LA Galaxy could chase after. Acquiring the following players will raise the ceiling of the striker room and have a track record of scoring goals in MLS.
Gyasi Zardes, Austin FC
This would be the best story and ideal trade the Galaxy could make.
Zardes started his career and won the 2014 MLS Cup with LA Galaxy before departing after the 2017 MLS season. The Hawthorne, CA native scored 34 goals in MLS play in his five seasons with the G’s.
Since leaving the Columbus Crew in 2022, Zardes has had stints with the Colorado Rapids and he’s currently playing with Austin FC. At 33, he’s no longer among the elite strikers in MLS - only recording two goals and two assists in 804 minutes this season.
Zardes ticks off two boxes; a striker with experience in this league and a track record of scoring goals. A potential homecoming would be a move that would most likely be well received by the fan base.
He is under contract until the 2025 season, which means LA would have him for the final months of the ‘24 season and the entirety of ‘25. His role as a backup striker would be clear and could start games every now and then. He’s a mature player who’s been a part of possession-based systems for multiple teams, so being part of Vanney’s system won’t be something new for him.
The only major risk is that he will be expensive (base salary is $1,000,000.00 per MLSPA) and the Galaxy would have him until the end of his contract. It’s a risky move but one that will certainly improve the depth of the position until the end of 2025. But does the Galaxy want to make a move that will require commitment past this season?
Josef Martinez, Montreal CF
The Venezuelan was one of the deadliest MLS strikers of all time during the late 2010s with Atlanta United. An ACL injury in 2019 changed his career; he wasn’t the same physically and struggled to provide a consistent impact. He’s now a bench player with Montreal where he has three goals and three assists in 757 minutes played.
Unlike Zardes, a potential trade for Martinez doesn’t mean LA is tied for him past 2024. The 31-year-old has a club option for the 2025 season, it would be up to the Galaxy to decide if he would be in their plans for another season in SoCal.
Like Joveljic this season, Martinez finds himself at the right place at the right time. He’s put a respectable .51 non-penalty xG (83rd percentile in MLS) for Montreal this season. Since playing more as a backup, Martinez’s injury woes have not been much of a concern.
This is the most expensive option for the Galaxy - Martinez makes $1,309,091.00 according to the MLSPA. Acquiring him would complicate the salary cap room and make it almost impossible to sign the heavily rumored Marco Reus. If the Galaxy was fully set on getting a backup, the Venezuelan would be the top option to bolster the quality in the striker room.
This is the move LA would make if it were truly in win-now mode and fully dedicated to getting the best possible backup striker within MLS- I don’t think the club is there just yet to swing for the fences considering the salary cap impact.
Willy Agada, Sporting KC
The option with the best quality combined with a lower salary is Kansas City’s Agada but will be the hardest to acquire. The 24-year-old Nigerian has seven goals and two assists for 12th-place KC this season.
This season is the last guaranteed year on his contract but does have an option for the ‘25 season. Agada is making $475,000.00 according to the MLSPA. Acquiring him would give LA a striker starting to enter his prime and could potentially be starting material. He has 20 goals in 55 appearances for Sporting KC.
With KC having such a poor season and the current core of the team heavily underperforming, the Galaxy could try to sway the midwestern club to get something for a player they might be hesitant to give a big play increase to (considering KC signed Alan Pulido to a new Designated Player contract).
It will be harder to acquire Agada but doing so would show LA’s ambition and its swiftness to improve the level of a position on the roster. A potential trade would most certainly include a player and a good amount of General Allocation money.
With Joveljic having injury troubles this season, the level doesn’t drop too much with Agada on the field. LA would get a striker who puts lots of shots on target (1.74 per 90) and multiple years of MLS experience under his belt.