Galactic Notebook: Observations from the LA Galaxy's flat tire start to 2025
The Good, Bad, and Ugly from the LA Galaxy's start of the 2025 season.
There are no two ways about it: the LA Galaxy’s start to the 2025 season is underwhelming. The reigning MLS Cup Champions sit 14th in the Western Conference with just two points from five games.
The combination of injuries to key players and the current development of chemistry within the roster are the driving forces behind the slow start. There are aspects that are out of the Galaxy’s control, but also some decisions that put LA in a rough position.
Despite the poor results, the season has been quite interesting and not short of interesting storylines. I’ll be taking a look at this season's storylines and analyzing them with data from various different soccer sites. I also jot down some observations that have been on mind my mind as the season has gone on.
The Goalkeeping Fiasco
The LA Galaxy’s goalkeeping situation continues to be one of the major topics of discussion to start the 2025 MLS season. LA’s choice to play Novak Mićović at the start of the campaign has added more questions on Vanney’s plate.
It was an interesting decision to put McCarthy as the second goalkeeper on the depth chart.
Not only was the 32-year-old a key player in last season’s MLS Cup run, but he’s the only LA Galaxy goalkeeper since the start of the 2020s to record a positive Post-Shot xG - Goal allowed (PSxG-GA) record - meaning his saves have directly prevented goals.
McCarthy has started the last two matches for the Galaxy in league play after Mićović started in the club’s first three league matches. A decision that not only affects the confidence of Mićović but also puts pressure on McCarthy to be the solution.
According to FBRef.com, both Galaxy ‘keepers have a PSxG-GA of + 0.6, meaning they are slightly above average at shot-stopping.
Despite his error on the first goal, John McCarthy showed excellent shot-stopping during Saturday’s match in Minnesota. According to FotMob, he prevented 1.08 goals in that match - one of those saves being in a one-on-one opportunity followed up by another save.
“I think John's play is generally really steady. I think he's been able to, over the last year and change now, just come up with the save when he needs to. He rarely makes the mistake like he did today, and that's okay. We can live with that, especially given he made some big saves during it, as well,” said Vanney postgame.
All signs are pointing to McCarhty being the starter for the remainder of the season, while Mićović will be demoted to the second-choice goalkeeper.
Aside from the shot-stopping, McCarhty is a real presence in between the sticks. He’s loud and barks commands to control his box well. It’s rare for McCarthy to second-guess himself. Assurance is a valuable trait for goalkeepers, but the LA Galaxy decided to forgo that to see what Mićović could provide between the sticks.
This was Mićović chance to establish himself instead of remaining a project player for the future. Vanney and the rest of the LA Galaxy coaching staff have continuously talked about the upside of the young Serbian shot-stopper, but at some point, you want to see that on the field. After his three games this season, the Galaxy doesn’t feel he’s ready to be the outright starter.
That might be the nail in the coffin for his chances to be LA’s starting goalkeeper. Now, in Year 3 with the LA Galaxy, this opportunity may not come again.
Marco Reus and Paul George have a lot more in common than you think
As a big basketball fan, I find it fun to draw a comparison between MLS and the NBA. When I look at the situation with Marco Reus, all I can think about is how similar his situation is to that of Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Both are quality players with elite skill sets, but injuries have gotten in the way of them being considered among the best in the world. Now near the end of their careers, their latest move to new teams isn’t going ideally.
While Reus did win the MLS Cup last season, he wasn’t among the main reasons for the victory. He was brought in to be a veteran leader and add extra quality to an already good roster. George was also brought in as a veteran leader and added another player to help the Sixers elevate into one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Both players this season have had their teams get to an underwhelming start to the season and have not made the desired impact on their respective teams. Both Reus and George lack that quick pace and athleticism and, so far, have failed to step up for their injured superstar teammates (Riqui Puig and Joel Embiid).
Talent isn’t the issue for both players; rather, it is how they fit on their teams, given that both are near the end of their respective careers. The oohs and ahhs are not there anymore for both players, and it has not helped elevate the Galaxy or Sixers into the conversation as an elite team in the conference.
Given Reus’ lack of availability, it’s hard to really see him be a key player this season. He won’t play 90 minutes; he’ll play the game at his own pace, and don’t expect him to carry the Galaxy on his back.
The Galaxy will get better this season, but how much of that will be because of Reus?
I see Diego Fagundez as a more influential player than Reus as the season goes on. The Galaxy is lucky he isn’t on a Designated Player deal.
One to Watch: Julian Aude
Last season was supposed to be Aude’s year. In his second season with the LA Galaxy, the young Argentine was playing great soccer, but an injury sidelined him for months, and John Nelson's emergence kept him on the bench.
This is a make-or-break year for Aude. Is he going to be the starting-caliber player the Galaxy envisioned when it spent millions to buy him from Club Atlético Lanús or will he spend another season on the beach?
The Galaxy’s offensive struggles and lack of creativity have been the major issues with this Galaxy team to start the 2025 season. Nelson is a defensive-minded full back who has minimal contributions to the attack. With Aude in the lineup this season, the LA Galaxy has added a bit more attacking flavor in the buildups.
The Argentine hasn’t been afraid to show his skills on the ball, as he welcomes the opportunity to beat his opponent on the dribble. His overlapping runs and positioning are more ambitious than those of Nelson. The one major difference between the two is the volume of touches that both handle. Take a look at the heat map below for the season so far, according to SofaScore.com.
The Galaxy gets Aude involved higher up the pitch at a higher volume than Nelson. The Argentine has already scored for LA this season with a goal in the Concacaf Champions Cup against C.S. Herediano, a game where LA needed to be on the front foot offensively.
Through five MLS matches, Aude leads the team with 31 passes into the final third, according to FBRef.com. In contrast, Nelson has recorded 12 passes into the final third.
The Galaxy has looked much better in possession and creating attacking moments when Aude is on the pitch. In the games against Portland and Minnesota, the 22-year-old has been one of the bright spots on the pitch on both sides of the ball.
On the defensive end, Aude is second on the team with 13 tackles and interceptions recorded. He's still prone to moments where he can get caught in behind, but playing more minutes with the backline should see him be more in sync with the movements of the rest of his teammates.
He’s not been perfect, but the attacking dimension he’s brought has helped LA take positive steps forward. Staying healthy and making strides on the defensive end will ensure Aude not only stays in the starting lineup but also recognized around the league.
Other Notes
Gabriel Pec’s Impact
With the other Designated Players out, a lot of the offensive load and spark has fallen on Pec. After his incredible first season with the Galaxy, which won him Newcomer of the Year, it’s not been as flashy or full of goals so far in 2025.
A key reason for this is obvious: he’s being double-teamed on the right wing, and teams are limiting his touches closer to goal.
According to FBRef.com, Pec is averaging 4.4 touches in the penalty box on a per-90 basis this season compared to last season’s average of 7.1 per 90 minutes.
The decrease in penalty box touches is made up farther back the field, as his touches in the middle third of the pitch have gone up so far this season. Pec is averaging 24.2 touches in the box per 90 compared to last season's tally of 20.9.
Without last season’s midfield core, Pec has to be more of a playmaker and possession starter rather than playing the role of finisher that he succeeded in last season.
Once Pec is able to increase the number of touches in the box, I expect the uptick in scoring and assists to follow soon.
Keep tabs on Fagundez’s Playmaking
As mentioned earlier, I think Fagundez is going to be an influential player down the stretch for the Galaxy.
The 30-year-old midfielder leads the LA Galaxy with nine key passes, 14 passes into the penalty area and tied for first with 22 progressive passes through the club’s first five games of the season.
Fagundez is reaching the stage of his career where he isn’t going to be an explosive winger and stretch the field. But his reading of the game and situations in the attack is a trait he’s using more and more.
With Joseph Paintsil set to return, this could move Fagundez into a more central playmaking role rather than playing out wide. With more touches on the ball, Fagundez can be more influential in the game and give the Galaxy another option in the middle of the pitch.
It’s still a very small sample size to really put weight on stats, but this is something I recommend keeping an eye on. He’s also one goal contribution away from 150 in his MLS career.