The best and worst defender for the LA Galaxy so far this season | OneFootball

The last time the LA Galaxy missed the playoffs was not too long ago. In 2023, the team won just eight games.

So far in 2025, the defending MLS Cup winners have managed to win only once. Their streak of 16 games with tasting victory was the longest of any team in league history to open up a season.

Their goal differential of -21 is a strong factor contributing to the Los Angeles Galaxy poor season. With just 15 goals recorded, their defense has given up more goals than any other team in the MLS Western Conference.

Is there anyone on defense to celebrate as the best for the LA Galaxy?

Veterans Maya Yoshida and Miki Yamane are in their thirties and are closer to retirement than another long-term deal. Their best playing days are behind them.

Both defenders for the LA Galaxy are responsible for an own goal this season. Yoshida, the captain, had his come during the 1-0 loss on the road against Sporting Kansas City. Yamane had his the very next game against the 7-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls.

As old as Yoshida is, he has 47 aerial duals on the season so far. That's nearly twice as many as the next two players, Christian Ramirez and Elijah Wynder.

The LA Galaxy added Mathias Jorgensen (aka Zanka) this winter. He has struggled, too, at times. In the game against the Houston Dynamo, Zanka was issued a red card for a hard foul early on in the first half.

That put the his team in a precarious position having to play down a player the rest of the game. The LA Galaxy still managed to pull off a 1-1 tie against their MLS Western Conference foe.

Emiro Garces has been one of the few bright spots on this LA Galaxy defense. The 23-year-old logged less than 400 minutes last season in nine games. This season, Garces has started 12 times (subbed another two) and recorded over 1,000 minutes already.

He scored his first goal with the LA Galaxy during the 2-2 draw against Minnesota United FC back in March. Garces added another in the Concacaf Champions Cup game against Tigres UANL on April 8.

Mauricio Cuevas and Harbor Miller have played some for the LA Galaxy this season. Their youthful presence has been appreciated as their future has the potential to be bright. Veterans Julian Aude, John Nelson and Eriq Zavaleta round out the roster on defense, as well.

With the MLS Western Conference's worst defense, the LA Galaxy's front office will be hard at work in six or seven months revamping and retooling the back line once again.