“I Feel Really Miserable”: Maya Yoshida’s Emotion Reflects Galaxy’s Historic Struggles
After 16 games without a win, Maya Yoshida has run out of ways to hold it in.
The LA Galaxy captain fronted the media Wednesday night after a 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at Dignity Health Sports Park—a result that made history for all the wrong reasons.
With the defeat, the Galaxy have now tied the longest winless start to a season in MLS history since the shootout era ended in 2000. But in Yoshida’s voice, the real weight of that number could be felt far beyond the stat sheet.
“I feel really embarrassing,” he admitted. “I feel really miserable for the fans who support us even midweek. Still, we not winning the games. Still, they support us after the game.”
Yoshida, normally composed, looked on the verge of tears as he spoke. There was no hiding how deep the rut has gotten—not just in terms of form, but belief. He spoke of Schalke, of playing at the bottom of the table in Holland, of years in battles for survival. “Still better than that, better than this situation,” he said.
And it’s hard to argue. Throughout the month of May, the Galaxy have found new ways to lose: an own goal against Kansas City without facing a shot on target, two stoppage-time collapses in Philadelphia and San Diego after points seemed secured, and now a home defeat to a rival they’d gone unbeaten against in their last eight meetings. The methods change. The result doesn’t.
Calling for Mentality and Accountability
Yoshida emphasized that now is not the time to nitpick individual errors. “ It's easy to point or blame the people,” he admits, “but I think in this moment, it doesn't help the team.” Instead, he called for a shift in mentality and referenced an example from their recent 2-1 loss in San Diego.
“[Hirving] Lozano from San Diego last game, 83 minutes, he sprints back to defense against Gabri [Pec] to get the ball, then Marco [Reus] makes a foul, then they got the ball. This kind of effort we need from everybody, from the team.”
But the captain also reflected inward, admitting his own focus has slipped in recent games. “I need to bring back my best performance to convince the people. And I shout against my teammates a lot, but if I don't play well, then this, it doesn't make sense.”
Eyes on Saturday, Nothing Else
With the club still bottom of the Western Conference, fans and media have speculated about the playoff picture and the overall outlook of the team halfway through the campaign. Yoshida isn’t entertaining any of it.
“We need one game, one win, as quick as possible, then we will think about this longer-term future,” he said. “Otherwise, there's no point in thinking about the playoffs…it’s just meaningless, I feel.”
That next match comes this Saturday at home against Real Salt Lake. Another loss would give the Galaxy sole possession of the longest winless run in MLS history.
“But this moment we have to step back to the basic, basic level, which we shouldn't talk. But now we have to talk. And I understand my explanation now can't convince anyone, any fans, so only we can convince with winning.”
For Yoshida, it’s not about a quick turnaround right now, it’s about survival, pride, and honoring the fans still showing up.