Takeaways: LA Galaxy Draw 2-2 Against Club America In Friendly
LA closes the book on 2025 with an exciting draw against the Mexican giants
With the nightmare of a season over and a longer-than-anticipated offseason ahead, the Galaxy looked to 16-time Liga MX champions Club America to shorten that extended break with Saturday’s postseason friendly.
The Mexican side would open the scoring in the 13th minute after an Isaiah Parente turnover just outside the box made its way to Victor Davila, putting it past Novak Mićović for the goal.
But the lead wouldn’t last long, as a cross from Mauricio Cuevas found Christian Ramirez in front of goal to make it 1-1.
Both sides would trade blows soon after. America regained the lead in the 39th with a brace from Davila, but Gabriel Pec answered immediately in the 41st – finishing a full-volley cross from Cuevas, his second of the night.
The second half wouldn’t feature as much action, eventually ending early in the 86th minute due to lightning in the area.
More Than A Right Back
Mauricio Cuevas showcased why he is one of the Galaxy’s most versatile young talents, delivering two assists and influencing both wings despite primarily being a right back. His ability to drift into attacking positions and contribute to the offense was a highlight in a match against a strong Liga MX side.
“I grew up playing every single position, and I’m very comfortable. I’m just trying to help the team,” said Cuevas on his performance.
That adaptability allowed him to exploit space effectively, arriving late into the attack and delivering decisive crosses, including the full-volley assist to Pec in the 41st minute.
Coach Greg Vanney echoed this sentiment, highlighting the balance between Cuevas’ natural position and his contributions elsewhere. “Ultimately he’s a right back,” Vanney said. “But when you’re a good soccer player, you can do other things. He can operate as a right or left winger if we need him to, and that’s valuable for the team.”
Vanney also emphasized that Cuevas’ timing and crossing ability make him a threat in the final third. He noted how Cuevas’ movement helps the Galaxy maintain offensive momentum, particularly in transition when defenders are unsettled.
Cuevas’ development reflects a broader strategy for the Galaxy: blending positional intelligence with versatility. His ability to perform outside his primary role adds depth to the squad and creates tactical options for Vanney. The 2-2 draw against America demonstrated that Cuevas is not just a defensive asset but a player capable of influencing games in the attacking third.
“It’s all about helping the team,” Cuevas said, summarizing his approach. For a squad looking to build continuity into 2026, Cuevas represents a bridge between defensive stability and attacking creativity, proving that he can contribute meaningfully in multiple roles while continuing to grow as one of the team’s most dynamic young players.
Ramirez Finished Strong
Christian Ramirez continues to prove his value as a versatile forward capable of combining tactical awareness with clinical finishing. In Saturday’s friendly, Ramirez scored the equalizer in the 20th minute after Cuevas’ break on the right wing, showing his ability to read defensive lines and exploit spaces behind America’s backline. “We played with high intensity, good rhythm, and pressed really well,” Ramirez said. “My goal came from experience in reading situations.” His movement allowed him to be in the right position at the right moment, highlighting a key skill that the Galaxy will rely on heading into next season.
Ramirez’s contributions go beyond individual scoring. He also plays a pivotal role in linking midfield and attack, offering a constant option for passes in transition. He explained, “This kind of game puts training into play and leaves us on a good note to build from in the offseason.” Even when struggling with match fitness, Ramirez demonstrated awareness and positioning that maximized opportunities for his teammates, making him an important piece in both the pressing game and in finishing chances created from wide areas.
Vanney praised Ramirez for his ability to integrate experience and intuition, noting how his runs and timing complement the movements of younger players. “Christian shows a great ability to help lead us in some of the controlling moments of the game,” Vanney said. “He found himself in front of the goal behind the back line, which is exactly the type of impact we need.”
Ramirez’s ability to read plays, anticipate defensive mistakes, and act decisively provides a foundation for the Galaxy’s offensive strategy. His performance against America is a clear example of how intelligent forward play, rather than sheer athleticism alone, can dictate the flow of a match and create scoring opportunities for both himself and teammates.
Vanney’s Blueprint For Growth
The friendly against Club America underscored Vanney’s focus on squad depth and player development, particularly as the Galaxy prepares for the 2026 MLS campaign and the World Cup break. Vanney used the game to rotate players, integrate returning starters, and provide minutes for younger talent like Gino Vivi and Cuevas. “The game served exactly what we needed,” Vanney said. “We got some minutes for guys coming back and for younger players to continue their growth. The mentality and compete of our guys were fantastic.”
Vanney also reflected on the importance of giving players opportunities to adapt to tactical systems at their own pace. He praised Elijah Wynder and Lucas Sanabria for their versatility, noting how the team adjusted formations mid-game to accommodate their energy levels and positional strengths. “These guys have really come into understanding what our system looks like,” Vanney said. “It’s not easy. We do a lot of place changing and moving, and you can see teams from Mexico don’t see that movement often. They’ve learned it, and that helps push the group deeper.”
Depth was further highlighted by the Galaxy’s substitutions and positional experiments. Vanney noted that integrating players like Vivi, who had limited previous appearances, provides valuable experience and strengthens the squad’s competitive options. “We want to keep pushing the top level of the group, but also have depth,” he said. The friendly served as a testing ground for combinations, giving both coaches and players insight into rotations and tactical flexibility.
By the end of the match, the Galaxy demonstrated that their offseason focus will be on maintaining high-intensity performance, developing young players, and creating multiple ways to attack and defend, ensuring the team enters 2026 with the aim of being a playoff-level team.