Galactic Notebook: Sergi Roberto Scout Report, Marcinkowski is Thriving, and LA Galaxy Player Grades
Why the Galaxy wanted Sergi Roberto, LA has an elite keeper, and grading LA's key players so far.
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 97th 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.