The LA Galaxy struggled to a 2-1 loss in their last match, but the numbers show they are still having an incredibly impressive season.
The upcoming derby against LAFC presents an opportunity for the Galaxy to crown their revival with a strong case at the 2024 MLS Cup.
Any week that the LA Galaxy don’t play leaves fans with plenty of time to speculate and (over)think about the state of their team.
While it’s understandable that supporters might still be feeling the bitter taste of the 2-1 loss against St. Louis City SC, the fact remains that the Galaxy are currently enjoying some of their best form ever.
Not just their best form ever this season, but their best form ever, ever.
Hearing this so soon after the LA Galaxy had a historically bad year in 2023 might send some fans into whiplash.
Last season was easily one of the worst in club history. The Galaxy ended in 13th place, second to last, in the Western Conference.
They consistently conceded (1.9/gpg) more than they scored (1.5/gpg) and matched their all-time high in terms of goals against with 67.
This topsy-turvy scoring record made it difficult for the team to build on what they were working on, leading to a disappointing mix of results.
At home, where MLS clubs define their seasons, the Galaxy won 6 games, tied six games, and lost 5. That home record alone would have defined the season as mediocre, but considering the Galaxy’s awful record on the road (2-6-9), that definition gets downgraded to outright bad.
With all this on the record last year, the calls for Vanney’s firing were loud to say the least, but a coach can only do so much without his best players.
According to stats collected by Josh Guesman of Corner of the Galaxy, 2023 was an awful year for the Galaxy’s DP’s. With the inclusion of Javier Hernandez’s season ending injury and Douglas Costa’s multiple absences, the Galaxy’s designated players only played an average of 48% of all available minutes.
Last year, the Galaxy played most of the season without their best players, let far too many points go at home, and were awful on the road. That’s not even mentioning the laundry list of long-term injuries they suffered in key areas. It’s no wonder they had such a rough go at it.
Fortunately, it’s been a totally different story in 2024.
The LA Galaxy have corrected many of their defensive woes and have nearly inverted their scoring record from 2023. This year they’ve scored 1.89 goals per game while conceding just 1.3.
Improving the goal differential has led to improved results, both at home and away.
So far in 2024, the Galaxy are undefeated at Dignity Health Sports Park, with their lone home loss taking place at the Rose Bowl against LAFC. On the road they’ve been much more proficient at stealing points, getting a point or better in 9 out of 14 away games.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, the Galaxy have been able to rely on their designated players this year. Gabriel Pec looks invincible and has played nearly 87% of all available minutes. As a group, Riqui Puig, Joseph Paintsil, and Pec have played 80% of available minutes, a club record (since Guesman began tracking the stat in 2018).
The Galaxy have played nearly the entire season with their best players in the lineup, have made Dignity Health Sports Park a fortress, and are managing to steal points on the road.
They also seem to have shaken off the loser mentality by course-correcting whenever they do lose, managing to never lose twice in a row… so far.
The upcoming game against LAFC at DHSP is likely going to be the most important game of their season. A win against the noisy neighbors in black, who currently have two games in hand, would give the Galaxy a 7 point lead and make it impossible for their rivals to catch up.
Locking up first place in the Western Conference would be crucial for the Galaxy’s return to the playoffs. In a year where the home field advantage has proven so effective for the Galaxy, securing as many home playoff games as possible would allow the original Angelenos to kickoff their Cup run in front of their supporters, who they have yet to disappoint in Carson.
This could be difficult as the Galaxy have been bested by LAFC every time they’ve faced each other in 2024.
With the season on the line and a couple of weeks of rest under their belts, the LA Galaxy will have to come with everything they have to overcome the visitors on Saturday, September 14th.
Regardless of what happens, the turnaround this team has shown is worthy of praise.
Greg Vanney, Will Kuntz, and everyone involved deserves massive praise for what they’ve achieved at this point of the new project. With consistent accountability seemingly guaranteed by the new direction the club has taken, the future looks extremely bright for the LA Galaxy.
For supporters, all that’s left is to trust the process and enjoy the show.
PHOTO: LA GALAXY
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