"Last year, it doesn't matter anymore" LA Galaxy struggles continue with loss to St. Louis
Following a 3-0 loss to St. Louis CITY SC on Sunday, the LA Galaxy is the first MLS Cup champion to lose the first three MLS games of the following season.
CITY came to Dignity Health Sports Park and recorded its first win and goals scored of the 2025 MLS season. Goals from Cedrick Tuechert, Marcel Hartel, and Simon Becher put the LA Galaxy away during the primetime matchup.
The LA Galaxy played its best soccer of the season despite losing at home. LA’s attack recorded an xG total of 1.82, according to FotMob - the highest total of the season. The Galaxy had chances to put a dent in CITY’s lead but lacked the finishing ability to get past Roman Bürki. There were better moments in possession and LA won the possession battle on the night.
“We controlled the first half, I would say, with good chances, and then you could see that one unnecessary goal -- but yeah, we have to build from this,” said Marco Reus postgame.
“Mentally, our thinking has to be higher, the standard has to be higher for each of us in our dressing room, and we have to be positive. I mean, the worst thing what you can do now is just heads down and shouting to every player,” he added.
The Galaxy is still working in new players to the team and with that comes times to build chemistry and cohesion on the pitch. Game by game, the Galaxy is improving in that aspect.
“For us, the margins are thin in terms of being able to turn an action from a possession into a real attack and that turns into a real chance because it becomes really precise about the timing,” said Vanney.
“I felt like we are much better at those things today than we had been in the previous; the timing of movement, the coordination of movement. Two and three guys working off of each other to unbalance the opposition and get to the space behind them was much better through stretches of the day,” added the LA Galaxy Head Coach.
While these improvements are good, the Galaxy needs to be getting results on the pitch. The club has its upcoming match with C.S Herediano on Wednesday March 12 where the club needs to win in order to advance in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The adjustment to new players on the roster and injuries to two Designated Players and other first-team contributors is why LA is struggling to move forward in 2025. The loss to CITY on Sunday night highlighted just how dire the situation is growing.
“The whole situation is very frustrating for all of us, not only for me, for the team, for the fans, as well, especially after last year. But like I said, last year, it doesn't matter anymore,” said Reus.
The German used that phrase in his postgame presser multiple times and revealed that was his message in the locker room at halftime.
“We have to build a new mentality of winning. And like small details, are very, very important, especially in this league, in these kind of games like today when the opponent was not playing well, like in the first 45 minutes and they are just waiting for our mistakes, and we give them the mistakes,” said Reus.
The Galaxy had a good opportunity to get something out of this game but let the opportunity pass them by. LA needs to record a win soon to start moving forward as clubs pass them by in the standings.
“Sometimes, in all sports, you just need a win, and then it feels much better and easier for us to do the next step,” said Reus.
“The good thing is in three days, we have another chance. We have to focus now on this.”