The Los Angeles Galaxy made an impressive signing after nearly two months of working in silence. The moves haven’t stopped there as there ain’t no rest for those building towards titles.
Will Kuntz has been a very busy man since joining the LA Galaxy.
After a disastrous 2023, adding pieces that would meaningfully improve the club’s prospects seemed like an awfully tall order. Fortunately, the supporter’s boycott was successful and resulted in the hiring of a man whose capability (and stature) matches their ambition.
Kuntz’s work began when he left LAFC for the LA Galaxy last April. Despite arriving midseason, he made his impact felt from the jump. That summer, Kuntz helped complete the signings of players who immediately improved the squad. These included cult hero Billy Sharp and current contributors Diego Fagundez, Edwin Cerrillo, and captain Maya Yoshida.
In December, Kuntz would receive the promotion fans were expecting as he was named the Galaxy’s new General Manager. In this role, Kuntz would take over budgeting, scouting, and player acquisitions (among other responsibilities) from Greg Vanney, who was severely overextended under ex-president Chris Klein.
With both hands firmly on the reins in Carson, Kuntz prepared to make further improvements in the Winter window.
Boy did he prepare well.
After adding crucial roster depth by signing Miki Yamane, John Nelson, Miguel Berry, and John McCarthy, Will Kuntz had his eyes set on securing two top-tier designated players.
Rumors involving the Galaxy had circulated like crazy since the end of the season last October. Some were old rumors, like those for Atletico Madrid striker Álvaro Morata. Others were based on the Galaxy’s old modus operandi of signing older players from Europe, such as Inter Milan’s Alexis Sanchez.
There were also plenty of completely baseless rumors, including the rumor involving 32- year old Honduran free-agent Romell Quioto which was spread as a Día de los Inocentes prank (April Fool’s analogous holiday celebrated in Catholic Countries) by Eduardo Solano.
The hottest and most real rumors involved CA Talleres’s Ramón Sosa and River Plate’s Santiago Solari. The Galaxy submitted 8-figure offers to both clubs, but were rejected at each approach.
Shortly after both these rumors fizzled out, it was reported that the LA Galaxy had come to an agreement to sign Gabriel Pec from Vasco de Gama. It wouldn’t be long until the deal became official. Yesterday, Pec touched down in Los Angeles and met G’s for the first time.
Although Pec signed before him, the Brazilian was beat to LA by Joseph Paintsil. Paintsil arrived in LA on February 16th. After nearly two months of speculation his acquisition as the Galaxy’s third DP was finally made official to the tune of Paintsil’s original music.
With some solid depth pieces secured and having added exciting DP’s, there was a feeling that Kuntz had cooked and was ready to step out of the kitchen.
Fortunately, Kuntz almost immediately proved that he is not one to sit on his hands after a job well done.
Mere hours after announcing Paintsil’s signing, the Galaxy shared that defender Chris Mavinga has been placed on waivers. For the next 48 hours following the announcement other teams across the league have the chance to pick him up and pay him whatever they deem he’s worth. If selected by another team, Mavinga’s new club would pay part of his nearly $500k/season salary with the Galaxy paying the difference. After those 48 hours Mavinga becomes a free agent and the club will take the full club hit.
Mavinga’s departure was followed up by the news that goalkeeper Jonathan Bond mutually agreed to part ways with the LA Galaxy. The club will receive salary cap relief for the full value of Bond’s $475k/season contract.
These moves seem to be making space for something coming in the future. Whether that comes in this transfer window or the next, it is evident that Kuntz and the Galaxy are not done rebuilding the team. With limited options at center back and striker it will be interesting to see how those positions evolve over time.
Regardless of what happens, Kuntz is building a project worth backing. IKWT.
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