The Los Angeles Galaxy managed to block out the noise and have started the 2024 campaign with a couple of impressive performances.
After a decisive victory in San Jose, Greg Vanney’s side is continuing to work to improve as they prepare to reunite with an old friend in Nashville.
The LA Galaxy have always been the muses of loud, controversial opinions. Even during the recent periods of uninspired play, many supporters and pundits have been inspired to comment on the increasingly stale state of the team.
After roughly a year since General Manager Will Kuntz and Head Coach Greg Vanney joined forces last April, the team they have built continues to spark debates. The difference is that this year, the discourse has had a much more optimistic undertone.
Much has been said about what the LA Galaxy could look like after a winter window that saw about 50% of the 2023 roster leave and be replaced with new acquisitions. After so much speculation, the LA Galaxy’s first two matches of the season finally arrived and gave the side the opportunity to define themselves.
For more on the first two games, read Looking Forward to the Cali Clásico
Their opening showcase came at home against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. A record-breaking crowd watched the Galaxy overwhelm Tata Martino’s side for the majority of the match until a now-rescinded red card to Mark Delgado allowed Messi to carve out a devastating equalizer at the 93rd minute.
Not allowing themselves to be impacted by the game-changing call of a non-PRO referee, the LA Galaxy traveled north to San Jose, determined to create their own luck. With the two dropped points still stinging in their memories, the group punished the Earthquakes with three goals that provided exciting glimpses of their potential.
It seems players in every part of the field are finding ways to improve the Galaxy from the unfortunate version of itself that completed the 2023 campaign.
After being hamstrung by injury and inexperience last year, the Galaxy’s backline has matured significantly. Young speedsters Raheem Edwards and Calegari have made way for more experienced players John Nelson and Miki Yamane.
Yamane has quickly become a fan-favorite for his confidence-inducing play and mastery of various tactical concepts. Outlets have praised the Japanese international for the way he plays just as comfortably in the middle of the park as he does out wide, offering much more defensive cover than the incumbent in his position did.
Veteran defenders Maya Yoshida and Martin Cáceres have also impressed beyond the expectation of many supporters. Doubt regarding how long the relatively older pair could last without major injuries lingered as a result of the abysmal situation the Galaxy’s defense faced last year.
Despite these concerns, Yoshida and Cáceras have looked as solid as ever. Together, they have reminded viewers of the value of experience and proper physical preparation. Having hardened themselves at the highest level of European and international competition, they have both acquired the habits that lead to an elite defense and coupled them with a lifetime of the world’s best treatment and preventative care practices.
While their combined age might lead some to question their abilities to keep up with a league as physical as the MLS, the pair’s wealth of experience make them an excellent partnership. Their play in the limited sample seen so far suggests that they are more than capable of protecting the LA Galaxy’s net.
In the midfield, Mark Delgado has begun the season in a vein of form that makes him unrecognizable to the often loud critics that emerged last year. Voices calling for Delgado’s departure rang out after some supporters felt his contribution to a difficult campaign wasn’t in line with his $826,250 guaranteed salary.
This year, Delgado has enjoyed hearing his name in a much more positive context. Most of what has been said about him in 2024 has been praise for his impactful performances to start the campaign.
His working relationship with new winger Joseph Paintsil seems to be off to a glowing start after the pair linked up to great effect throughout the match against San Jose. Already with two assists, Delgado seems primed for a breakout year as his play continues to develop alongside this new version of Vanney ball.
Spearheaded by the new Ghanaian designated player and reinforced by young Brazilian starlet Gabriel Pec, the LA Galaxy’s attack have redefined itself as ones to watch. Dejan Joveljic leads the attacking renaissance with two goals and an assist so far already.
With so much indicating a complete turnaround from 2023, Greg Vanney sounds like a man with a new lease on life. He had this to say to MLS Communications after the 3-1 victory in San Jose:
“I look forward because I see what this team is capable of, even on a night like tonight. Knowing the guys are still coming together and getting healthy and all that kind of stuff, I really am excited about the group we have.”
Despite the trauma endured in 2023, the lessons it provided appear to have been engraved in the walls at Dignity Health Sports Park. Reflecting on how far the Galaxy have come since last fall, Greg Vanney said, “You learn more about your team in tough moments than in good ones” (SiriusXM FC). After finding out what didn’t work last year, Vanney has contributed towards creating a culture that promotes continuous improvement.
The new season has brought new higher standards to Carson. Players are no longer afforded the luxury of relying on their reputation to earn them a spot on the team sheet. Highlighting the new expectations the team has, Vanney shared, “If you’re not here to get better every single day, then you’re an outlier in this group now” (SiriusXM FC).
As the players continue to build on their skills and their relationships on the pitch, there is a feeling that the LA Galaxy will only get better as the season progresses. The next match against Nashville SC and ex-G Tyler Boyd has the potential to become the latest dose of proof to the newly popular phrase: “The LA Galaxy are back!”
Photo: LA Galaxy
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