This article was written after recording The Designated Pundits‘ LA Galaxy preview for the 2026 MLS Season with Edgar from “Corner of the Galaxy.” You can find that video on Spotify below.
2025 Recap
The LA Galaxy won MLS Cup in 2024, and many pundits expected a good follow-up performance in 2025. Although they would be without Riqui Puig, a spark plug for the team, many of the same players would be running it back.
However, the LA Galaxy had the worst start ever for an MLS Cup defending champion, playing 16 matches without a win in MLS. Without their star #10, one might assume it was the goals that were lacking. While that may be true (they scored 46 times, good enough for 8th in the Western Conference), it was the defense that was immediately problematic. They allowed 66 goals, which was second worst in the West.
They did earn aa little winning streak at home. The Galaxy won 7 of their last 10 home matches. However, they didn’t win a single road match all season, going 0-7-10. This led to a disappointing season; they missed the playoffs after a historic meltdown.
Christian Ramirez proved to be a flop as the spearhead of the attack. Joseph Paintsil (right) and Gabriel Pec led the team with goal contributions. LA Galaxy will want those numbers to be doubled for MLS success.
Transactions
For a team that performed so poorly, LA Galaxy made few big changes during the offseason. They let Miguel Berry, Diego Fagundez, and Eriq Zavaleta walk away, and terminated Mathias Jørgensen’s (a.k.a. Zanka) contract.
Of course, three of those cuts were defenders and that came as no surprise. As mentioned above, defense was their biggest liability and the club traded actively to address the problem. They lured Jakob Glesnes away from the Philadelphia Union, adding a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate to their backline. Then they signed NYCFC center back and/or defensive midfielder (he can trust play anywhere in a pinch) Justin Haak. Those two moves alone completely transform the defense.
But the club upgraded their attack as well. Matheus Nascimento extended his loan from Botafogo, and they made a surprise trade for Brazilian striker João Klauss from St. Louis City. Klauss played in Australia and Belgium before scoring 25 times over three seasons for a miserable STL team.
The final move (so far) was to bring in Erik Thommy, a Designated Player who was wasting away at Sporting KC. Thommy struggled with injury and ineptitude there, but still contributed 19 goals and 14 assists over about 75 full 90 minute equivalents.
LA made some great high upside, low downside moves this offseason. They brought in two DP level attackers who are proven contributors without any support. Layer in those dangerous wingers, and those contributions should go way up. I think this LA Galaxy team is primed to find their way back to the top of the standings.
Depth Chart
We already discussed João Klauss and Erik Thommy as the #9 and #10 on the Galaxy. Wingers are always a strength with coach Greg Vanney, and that spine with Paintsil and Pec on the flanks could be the best front four that MLS has seen in a long time (that doesn’t call South Beach, FL home).
Moving back to the midfield, Marco Reus has name recognition and undeniable quality, albeit at another year older he probably falls into the “only slightly above average for MLS” category. Edwin Cerillo, Elijah Wynder, Lucas Sanabria, and Isaiah Parente will all get playing time, and each provide the team with depth.
The fullbacks are another positive for the Galaxy. On the left, John Nelson is a traditional left back, while Julian Aude has more of a wingback profile. On the right, Miki Yamane is the wingback who you can find way upfield serving in crosses, while Mauricio Cuevas is the more traditional defender. In the center back position, Glesnes and Garces are forces on defense, while Justin Haak is a high quality starter. Maya Yoshida is aging, but brings depth to a center back corps that certainly needed a rebuild.
Goalkeeper Novak Micovic has depth behind him, including high upside JT Marcinkowski. The keeper may be a position LA Galaxy can upgrade without breaking the bank.
Questions
- Which player, outside our projected starting 11, has the best chance to win a job?
- Lucas Sanabria. The midfield has a lot of depth, and Sanabria brings an almost unlimited amount of upside.
- What are some realistic expectations for 2026?
- Edgar thinks that LA Galaxy should have goals of reaching the 3rd round of the Concacaf Champions Cup and returning to top 4 in the Western Conference.
- What are some storylines to follow throughout the 2026 season?
- There are a few spots to keep an eye on. With the fullback depth, does LA pick two starters right away? Will Klauss become a top striker in MLS with the right help?
- What styles does this team match up well against?
- LA Galaxy will beat up on teams that don’t have solutions out wide for Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec.
- What styles does this team match up poorly against?
- With new center backs new who need time for chemistry, LA could get exposed by #10s who can pull defenders out of shape.
- What player improves the most in 2026?
- Matheus Nascimento. He instantly made LA better last season when he started over Christian Ramirez, and with Botafogo pedigree, he has every chance to blow up.
- Which player regresses in 2026?
- Maya Yoshida. There were rumors that he was unhappy with salary and other team issues. He’s another year older, another step slower, and there are chances he won’t be in LA after the summer transfer window.
Hear more, and follow along as I preview all 30 MLS teams before kickoff of the 2026 season!
YouTube- youtube.com/@thedesignatedpundits
Audio Links- linktr.ee/thedesignatedpundits
Bob Ventimiglia is a leading soccer podcaster and handicapper, renowned for his sharp analysis and consistent success at the soccer sportsbook.
As a founding member and MLS expert on the BetUS MLS Show, he earned “Capper of the Week” honors four times during his debut season.
Now, he is producer for “The Designated Pundits” MLS podcast and “The High Impact Pundits” NWSL podcast.
💸 BetUS TV MLS Expert (4x Capper of the Week)
📝 Member- North American Soccer Reporters
