Recap, Matchday #3: Second loss at home for LA Galaxy adds to dismal start to season

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·10 mars 2025

Recap, Matchday #3: Second loss at home for LA Galaxy adds to dismal start to season

The LA Galaxy usually don't have a history of struggling against their opponents. On the third game of the season, both teams took the field at Dignity Health Sports Park in search of their first win.

It was St. Louis City SC that earned their first victory of the season. The win gave them three points in the MLS Western Conference Finals. The Los Angeles Galaxy are both winless and pointless in the standings after their first three games.

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– lundi 10 mars 2025

What went wrong again for the Los Angeles Galaxy?

After John McCarthy's strong showing on Wednesday in Puerto Rico against Herediano, he should have started over Novak Micovic. The Serbian native is now 0-0-3 for the team. It's the most games he has started in any one season.

McCarthy has the better track record of success and the more extensive resume to resume goalkeeping duties for the LA Galaxy. JT Marcinkowski is also on the roster and may have his name called by head coach Greg Vanney.

Goals from Cedric Teuchert (44'), Marcel Hartel (49'), and Simon Becher (84') were more than enough to put this one away for St. Louis City. They now have beat the LA Galaxy three times since entering the league. In fact, the Los Angeles Galaxy have not won against St. Louis City since their first regular season meeting years ago.

"We created enough chances to score three goals ourselves today and we have zero. In the grand scheme of things, in their goal creation, they didn't create many opportunities, aside from some transition moments, set piece stuff. But we give them hope by giving them goals."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Injuries have killed this lineup. The team is without Riqui Puig for possibly the entire year. Joseph Paintsil is still weeks away from returning. Defender Miki Yamane missed another game for the Galaxy, too.

Vanney went with the 4-2-3-1 formation for a second time this season. It still isn't the 4-3-3 lineup used frequently with success last year including the LA Galaxy's epic postseason run.

The teenager, Harbor Miller and Isaiah Parente got their first starts of the 2025 MLS season. Vanney is mum on possible changes to the lineup or Starting XI.

More production from the team's offense is vital if this team looks to turn their season around. Gabriel Pec is the only player with a goal for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The six-time champions have been blanked twice now, both in Carson, California.

"Every position on the field for us is a competition, and I think for young goalkeepers, they need a few games, three, four, five, whatever it is, games, to show whether they can catch a rhythm, whether they are ready for the moment. It's different than when you are projected to be a starter than when you are stepping in to take a game here or take a game there, and it's how can you manage that situation."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Next up for the LA Galaxy is Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions tournament. The defending MLS champions will host Herediano as they are already down 1-0 (aggregate).

Then, the Los Angeles Galaxy travel to Oregon to play the Portland Timbers. These two teams split meetings last season with each squad winning at home.