The LA Galaxy reintroduced themselves to the league in emphatic fashion in 2024 but have since put on the worst title defense in MLS history. Greener pastures may be on the horizon once Riqui Puig returns, but with a third of the season already gone, will it be too late for the Galaxy to save themselves?
It’s been a bleak year for the LA Galaxy. Zero wins in nine league games. One win in 13 games in all competitions. 12 goals scored with 21 goals against in all competitions. The once invincible Dignity Health Sports Park has already seen 3 losses, 2 draws, and just the one victory.
Currently, the LA Galaxy earn just 0.33 points per game in the MLS. With 25 games left and 75 points still available, Greg Vanney’s team will earn an additional 8 points at the current rate, ending the season with a miserable 11 for the entire year. This would be a record-setting achievement, besting DC United for the lowest points-total in a 34-game season since they posted 16 in 2013.
With mistakes and an underperforming attack plaguing the team, the only thing that seemingly might prevent such a drastic sophomore slump is the eventual return of Riqui Puig.
Puig has been working hard to recover from his ACL tear in the Western Conference Final against the Seattle Sounders. He’s already back at training on a very restricted basis, likely aiming to familiarize himself with his new teammates from afar so that he can make his return as tuned-in as possible.
Even with such positive progress, Puig will likely be unavailable until at least August, possibly missing the opening Leagues Cup fixtures. With an estimated return in mid-August, potentially in time for the road game away to Inter Miami on August 16th, Riqui Puig might be available to contribute in the eight remaining league fixtures.
If that ends up being the case, the Galaxy will have to face another 17 games without their star man. Should their current form continue, that will earn them an additional 5 points at 0.33 points per game, bringing their total up to 8 with an additional 24 points still up for grabs.
With Riqui Puig’s contributions last year, the LA Galaxy secured an impressive 2.03 points per game. In this speculative scenario where Puig does return in August and is immediately able to reach the dizzying heights he achieved in 2024 with a new supporting cast, the Galaxy would earn 16 of the remaining 24 points, bringing their hypothetical point total for the entirety of the 2025 to 24.
45 points was the benchmark to secure playoffs last year, but if those numbers end up holding true the Galaxy would do well to avoid the wooden spoon. It’s clear that if Los Angeles wants to make anything of their season, the wins need to start coming fast.
To earn a playoff spot after going winless in the first nine matches would make for one hell of a comeback. Riqui Puig could return and help get the boys over the line, but the current crop must cut out their mistakes and actually earn the wins some of their play has been deserving of.
Gabriel Pec has found more quality chances but has struggled to put them away. Joseph Paintsil must keep his cool and focus on how he can hurt the opposition with goals and assists rather than words. Now that he’s fit, Marco Reus needs to continue to step into his role as a leader. Zanka needs to make more passes like he did in the first game against Portland and make less blunders like he did against Houston.
The LA Galaxy as a whole needs to come together and find the killer instinct that made them so lethal in 2024. They may not have Riqui Puig back yet, but this team is talented (and expensive) enough to be much higher up the table.
Things aren’t looking great after the Galaxy’s record-breaking 2024 season, but as long as there are games left to play, there’s still a chance for the sophomore album to have a couple of hits.
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