The LA Galaxy quintupled their 2025 goal total in the team’s first win of the year against Costa Rican Champions C.S. Herediano on Wednesday night.
Their 4-1 victory sees the team progress to the quarter finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup where they’ll challenge Mexican outfit Tigres for a spot in the semis on April 1st.
However, domestic duty calls and the team will first have to focus on a string of MLS fixtures, beginning with a road trip to Portland on Sunday.
Christian Ramirez asserted that “the first win is always the hardest” following the team’s first win of the year and his first goal in blue, white, and gold.
The LA Galaxy made it look relatively easy with a decisive 4-1 victory in the return leg of their round of 16 tie with Herediano, breaking a four-game losing streak that began with a 0-2 loss to San Diego FC.
While winning on the night seemed easy, the Galaxy have had to work hard and come a long way from that first defeat.
Young players Isaiah Parente, Tucker Lepley, and Harbor Miller have each stepped up in a huge way, transforming the side which looked clueless in consecutive defeats to San Diego, Vancouver Whitecaps, Herediano, and St. Louis City SC.
“Isaiah has really stepped in and given us some stability”, said Vanney after Wednesday night’s match. He first appeared as a substitute against Herediano in the away fixture before earning his first MLS start against St. Louis.
Besides the stability to play alongside Edwin Cerillo, Parente contributed two assists against Herediano in his team’s 4-1 win.
A presence like Parente’s is massively important for the Galaxy after losing Gaston Brugman and Mark Delgado to intra-league trades. Both were experts in supporting Edwin Cerillo and driving the team forward.
Now that Parente has proven himself as a more than capable substitute, Greg Vanney enjoyed the freedom to introduce another new variable in Tucker Lepley.
Lepley made just his second-ever start for the LA Galaxy in the most recent game against Herediano. He performed when called upon and earned credit from Greg Vanney, “Tucker who stepped in having not played this season was excellent”.
Lepley was clear after the match that he’s always working and learning from his teammates so that he can stay ready, rather than quickly have to get ready. “I wanted to be as sharp as I could, not only for myself but for my teammates as well”.
That effort paid off with a great contribution in the 38th minute. Despite not getting credit with an actual assist, he lofted a great ball across the box towards Isaiah Parente who settled it for Miguel Berry to tap in, creating the team’s second goal.
Lepley’s is a mentality that is shared throughout the team. Harbor Miller is a 17-year academy product who showed just how ready he is with some impressive performances.
Miller became the fourth youngest player to represent the Galaxy in the match in Costa Rica, impressing immediately. He then earned his first MLS start against St. Louis alongside Parente, standing out at right back. He capped off a great run of performances with his best yet against Herediano at home.
Miller combined with Parente and Julian Aude for the first goal and set up Gabriel Pec for the third to earn his first assist as a professional and become the youngest player to log a Concacaf Champions Cup assist for an MLS team since Alphonso Davies in 2017.
“He steps in and now you know you have a player who can help in the run of the season”, said Vanney.
Parente, Lepley, and Miller have each helped the Galaxy transform themselves from the lifeless team first seen against San Diego. Greg Vanney’s side are back to dominating games with threatening play after showing continued improvement with every game and receiving help from depth players taking ownership of their opportunities and stepping up.
The upcoming trip to Portland will be a chance for this side to take another step forward. The Timbers are having a difficult year themselves, scoring just one goal more and conceding just one goal less than the Galaxy in league play so far, not accounting for the four LA just scored in international play.
While traveling is never easy in the MLS, the Galaxy’s recent improvements fueled by a youthful renaissance may be enough to help them secure their first MLS win on Sunday, March 12th.
The LA Galaxy have seemingly found their way again after a difficult start to the season. The best way to confirm that they are back (again) is with more victories.
PHOTO: Andrew Hernandez/LAXSportsNation
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