LA Galaxy record first point of 2025 in 1-1 draw to Portland Timbers
Looking at the key storyline from the LA Galaxy's first point of the season. Why this match is the start of new chapter of the Galaxy's season.
The LA Galaxy’s 1-1 draw to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park meant the reigning champions picked up its first points of the 2025 season. The SoCal club tied the match after going a goal down in the second half to take a point back with them on the trip to LA.
The Galaxy struggled to find its footing against the Timbers in the first half, with very few attacking moments and more defensive work to hold the home side from scoring.
“I felt like the first half we didn't really settle in great. I felt like defensively what we were looking to do, we were kind of in between which led to them having a lot more possession than we wanted, and us being a little bit on our heels. In attack, I felt like we were rushing things and I felt like we could be a little bit more patient,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney.
That’s how the LA Galaxy has started the 2025 season - rushing possession sequences and having to ball against more the of the ball. That was the pattern in the league matches against San Diego, Vancouver, and St. Louis.
Felipe Mora’s goal in the 49th minute put the LA Galaxy in a losing position with a lot of time left in the game. Providence Park is one of the toughest environments for opposing teams but the LA Galaxy found a way to get a point for this Western Conference showdown.
In the 80th minute, Zanka played a long ball for striker Christian Ramirez inside the Timbers penalty box. The 33-year-old striker showed off his excellent chest control to hit the ball into the back of the net.
The Timbers had the momentum in the final 10 minutes of the game, where a questionable no-call from referee Lukasz Szpala took center stage. Substitute Emiro Garces lunged into Cristhian Paredes during second-half stoppage time. The foul occurred in the penalty box but was not called, nor was the play sent to VAR for review after the end of the sequence.
The Galaxy got away with the decision from the referee crew - in most cases, that play would be sent to VAR and likely be called a penalty. Nonetheless, the Galaxy will take the point and head home to regroup for next week's trip to Minnesota.
“In the end, you've got to kind of see it out. But I thought we had control (of) the second half and deserved to at least get a point out of that thing based on the second half performance,” said Vanney.
John or Novak?
The biggest storyline of this game was the return of John McCarthy as the LA Galaxy’s starting goalkeeper. LA has used Novak Mićović in all of its league games early in the season, while the veteran McCarthy has played in the Concacaf Champions Cup games. Vanney made the call to bench Micovic and give last season’s starting goalkeeper the nod during an MLS game.
McCarthy, who made his 100th career MLS regular season start in the match against Portland, recorded three saves on the afternoon. His vocal presence and confident decision-making are his strengths, which showed in glimpses during the game.
“I'm not making a decision today. I don't pick any of my other positions as starters for the rest of the year,” said Vanney when asked on if he’s made a decision on who will start in goal for the rest of the season.
“We're committed to bringing Novak [Mićović] along. We like his quality and we like his upside. John [McCarthy] certainly has proven his stability and he's done a great job…. So those guys will be competing. We have plenty of games from us in tournaments and everything else. So we're going to move forward accordingly and each guy, when given the opportunity, he has to perform at his level just like every other position,” added Vanney.
This new twist in the starting lineup has made the start of the season much more intriguing. The lineup announcements in the next couple of weeks will be one to keep an eye on.
The Next Step for Garces
The Galaxy wouldn’t have won last season’s MLS Cup if Garces hadn’t been on the roster. His athleticism and defensive prowess are elite for a center back. However, the Galaxy wants to see that next step in development for the 23-year-old defender.
“Zanka played and not Emiro because he's more under control and he's more involved,” said Vanney when asked why Garces was not in the starting lineup.
“When we are in possessions and we're in build, Zanka is seeking to be involved, wants the ball and gives us that extra sort of number in possession; that sometimes I feel like Emi, we need him to be more involved and willing to get on the ball; will help us in possessions,” he added.
Vanney also mentioned he wanted to see more consistently good decisions on the defensive end from Garces. While he did note his incredible ability to make impressive defensive plays, Vanney wants to see Garces be put in less on those situations.
“I want him to grow and understand the positional responsibilities, the priorities, how playing next to somebody, all the things that are, I think, details that are going to be important for him to continue to improve as a player, and for him to be able to reach the next level of what he's able to do. These are things that I want from Emi, and he's aware of that,” said Vanney.
Garces almost had a costly tackle that could’ve led to the Galaxy flying back with nothing from this game. The Colombian’s decision-making is the one area of his game that lacks consistency. Vanney doesn’t want Garces to plateau in his development, but rather make sure he can reach his ceiling.
“He's got some great natural gifts, and now it's about tactically becoming more aware and more connected to the entire group as we continue to build this team forward and what we want it to be able to do.”
“Screw it, 17's down there somewhere”
Ramirez has scored in back-to-back games this season for the LA Galaxy. The SoCal native was excited to open his account for the club he grew up watching during the midweek Concacaf Champions Cup action bit now he finally has his first MLS goal for the Galaxy.
“When I looked up and Maya was passing the ball, I could see out of my eye that Christian was in a good position. I thought, you know, what, screw it, 17's down there somewhere, and just hang it up there and try to see if he can go up and get it. He finished it great, and we took a difficult point with us home to LA,” said Zanaka postgame.
It was great play from Zanka to play a perfectly placed long ball, and Ramirez showed the individual quality to control the ball and finish of the play
“It was a very similar clip that we saw on film from an opportunity that they gave up last week. So when I saw that Nasci [Matheus Nascimento] was coming underneath and Zanka was winding up, I took a chance. And yeah, it was a great ball and was able to provide a goal today for the team; and just glad we got on the board in MLS play with a point, and it will only continue to help us build,” said Ramirez postgame.
The Galaxy is hoping Ramirez can be the solution for the lack of goals in MLS play. LA has relied heavily on Gabriel Pec, and teams have game-planned around limiting his touches in dangerous areas. Ramirez, with his link-up play ability and finishing, can be an answer to one of the biggest issues with the 2025 Galaxy if he can continue this momentum.
“My confidence never waivers. I believe in myself and I put too much hard work into this, and I know the goals will come. For me, the main thing is results for the team, and I'm glad today I was able to get on the board,” said Ramirez.
“I'm not too worried about scoring, and I know it will come. It's coming now, and it's obvious that we're starting to play better and we're starting to understand each other. We've all been bought in and you see from top to bottom, guys like Tucker [Lepley] and Harbor [Miller] stepping up, Julián [Aude]. It's a full-team process and it's the full team that is buying in and seeing the results of that."