Why Maya Yoshida Needed to Be the LA Galaxy's Hero on Saturday Night | OneFootball

Say that 'the Los Angeles Galaxy have struggled during the 2025 MLS regular season' is certainly an understatement. While the offense has lacked a number of times (shutout eight times this year), their defense has been epically disastrous.

The LA Galaxy had allowed 45 goals in 23 games entering this weekend. Their defense gave up three more to LAFC in the latest installment of El Trafic Clasico.

Last year's Newcomer of the Year Award winner, Gabriel Pec, did his part for his team. He scored a goal in each half, including a penalty kick inside the game's first 40 minutes.

Denis Bouanga, LAFC's leading scorer, also had two goals on Saturday evening. Javairô Dilrosun's goal made it 2-0 before the LA Galaxy could respond and counter with any offense of their own.

Wait, so the LA Galaxy didn't lose 3-2 to LAFC?

Some people may have turned their television or streaming device off after LAFC was up 3-1. Despite Gabriel Pec making it 3-2 in the 79th minute mark, hope was not fully restored.

And the unthinkable happened. In the opening minute of stoppage time during the second half, Eddie Segura was issed a red card. That immediately removed him from the field and LAFC played a man down in the closing minutes.

The LA Galaxy capitalized on the one-man advantage. The captain, Maya Yoshida, scored six minutes later, tying the game up. Mauricio Cuevas was credited with the crucial assist that tied the game 3-3.

Both the Galaxy and LAFC came out of this one with one more point in the MLS Western Conference. Unlike last year, the two LA-based soccer clubs aren't jockeying for first place. LAFC entered Saturday in fourth and the defending MLS Cup winners are still at the bottom.

The LA Galaxy are in last place because of games like their historic 1-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City. Yoshida's own goal was the only score KC needed to win despite not taking a single shot attempt. That blemish only added to the Galaxy's winless streak to open the season, which went on for 16 straight games.

This time, Yoshida was the hero. If LAFC won, the series would be tied 10-10-6 in El Trafico Clasico. Instead, the LA Galaxy hold the slim lead at 10-9-7. The two teams won't face off against each other again until next season.

Yoshida expressed after the game that his team could still make the playoffs, though. "I can't be happy for the season so far, but we still have a chance to go to the playoff. Next game is very important again. Every game is important now for us," said he LA Galaxy defender.

With just 10 games remaining in their season, the LA Galaxy (3-7-14) will travel to Texas to play the Houston Dynamo after the All-Star Break.