Could the LA Galaxy Pluck Any Forwards from the MLS All-Star Team This Winter? | OneFootball

Wednesday night was for the MLS All-Stars. In Major League Soccer's 30th regular season, the LA Galaxy were without a representative with this honor for the first time ever.

That's right! Other than in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles Galaxy have always fielded an MLS All-Star until now. With a number of their own players set to be free agents (such as goalkeeper John McCarthy and defender Eriq Zavaleta), general manager Will Kuntz is expected to be active for a third winter in a row.

Teams like the Philadelphia Union, San Diego FC, and the Vancouver Whitecaps boast multiple All-Stars this year. As multiple defenders and a midfielder are free agents, the LA Galaxy could acquire those players and add them to their own roster.

Here are the potential forwards from the 2025 MLS All-Star Roster that Will Kuntz could pry.

He's a winner by the name of Tai Baribo.

Just like his Philadelphia Union teammate, Jakob Glesnes, if they don't pick up his 2026 club option, Baribo could also be a free agent. The LA Galaxy wasn't afraid to sign one of the MLS Eastern Conference's lucrative forwards last winter when they added Columbus Crew's Christian Ramirez.

In 20 games this season, Baribo has 14 goals on just 37 shots. That's a shooting percentage of 37.8% this year. The 27-year-old Israeli sensation has surpassed last season's numbers.

During the 2024 MLS regular season, Baribo made just nine goals on 50 shots attempts. While not known for his passing or racking up assists, the LA Galaxy still have Marco Reus, Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec and a returning Riqui Puig to facilitate that aspect of the game.

The LA Galaxy had a 2-0 lead going into halftime against Philadelphia two months ago. When it appeared they were going to win their first game of the 2025 MLS regular season, Baribo had other plans.

After his teammate, Nathan Harriel, scored within the first three minutes of the second half, the All-Star forward added two more goals. His decisive score in the sixth minute of stoppage time before the end of the game proved to be the winner for Philadelphia against the LA Galaxy.

Expect the Los Angeles Galaxy to at least look into the availability of the three-year MLS veteran. With their young Brazilian forward Matheus Nascimento under contract for only this season, the defending MLS Cup winners may need more help at forward than ever before.