What’s the Galaxy’s best path to a trophy in 2024?
It’s a minor miracle we’re having this discussion at all.
Following a nightmarish 2023, the LA Galaxy have pulled off an remarkable turnaround this season establishing themselves as one of the top sides in the league. GM Will Kuntz and the newly restructured front office deserves massive credit for wisely investing 20 million bringing Gabriel Pec, Joseph Painstil and Miki Yamane to Los Angeles. Opinions can vary on manager Greg Vanney, but if you told the supporters at the beginning of the year he’d have the Galaxy in a three-way tie atop the West, who would have complained?
This is a group who can realistically compete for silverware. The question is, which of the three remaining trophies up for grabs is LA most likely to win?
U.S. Open Cup
Bzzz wrongo. The first team chose not to participate in this year’s edition, sending Ventura Country FC who crashed out in a second round 3-0 defeat to Irvine Zeta.
Strategically it was probably the right call, as the additional schedule congestion would have put added miles on already tired legs. And let’s be real, with less than a 1/3rd of the league fully participating it’s a bastardized version of the tournament anyways.
Think of the Galaxy pulling out as sacrificing one trophy to have a better shot at winning three others.
Leagues Cup
In theory, make it to the group stage and you’re five wins from a trophy. Simple enough right? And with the basement dwelling San Jose Earthquakes joining Atlas in their group, it’s a strong possibility.
Except the Galaxy aren’t really the type of team built to string off a series of wins. Only last month at Real Salt Lake were the Galaxy able to pull off their one and only three game winning streak 3 1/2 years into Greg Vanney’s tenure.
And with the exception of Mark Delgado, this team has little experience against the Mexican clubs LA would surely face in later rounds. Roughly half the currrent squad participated in last year’s 1-0 loss to Leon in the group stage.
Though the path to victory is certainly inciting, the odds are against LA winning the competition.
Supporters’ Shield
A few weeks ago, heck a few days ago it seemed the East had a small edge in the Supporters’ Shield race with Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati favorited to finish at the top of the standings.
The past 48 hours have certainly shaken things up. LA, LAFC, RSL and FC Cincinnati all lost over the weekend, but more importantly, a majority of the teams competing for the shield now have issues heading into the stretch run.
Current Supporters’ Shield Standings. A five-point gap separates LA and FCC.
Leo Messi’s return to action for Inter Miami is uncertain after the Argentine soccer god suffered a painful looking ankle injury during the Copa America final. FC Cincinnati have lost starting center backs Matt Miagza and Nick Hagglund for the season and Miles Robinson is heading to the Olympics. Chicho Arango is suspended for RSL’s next four matches for violating the league’s anti-harassment policy. Olivier Giroud is arriving soon for LAFC but Steve Cherundolo could potentially leave the club to manage the U.S. Men’s National Team.
None of these developments are fatal for their clubs, but with 10 games left the Galaxy suddenly find themselves with a bit of breathing space to make a run for the Shield.
Four of the next five matches are at the friendly confines of Dignity Health Sports Park. Colorado and Portland are formidable opponents, followed by two very winnable games at St. Louis CITY and Atlanta United at home, capped by another El Trafico.
If the Galaxy make the most of the upcoming five-game stretch, and that includes figuring out how to unlock Riqui Puig against a LAFC side who’ve had his number, they’ll be in contention for the Shield. Anything less and the focus shifts to winning the West. (Not a bad consolation prize, I might add)
MLS Cup
IMO, going all the way and winning MLS Cup is the likeliest path to a trophy for the Blue White and Gold. Winning the SS might be too difficult, but winning the West? A much easier ask.
Even a top 2 finish means LA needs a single road result at worst to head to MLS Cup. The Galaxy have proven on their day they are capable on beating any team in the league regardless of the venue. (Expect for maybe Columbus who buzz sawed 5-1 LAFC and look like the clear favorites to win the SS)
“I keep saying it over and over; that this team is unbelievable and we are really good, so when we play a good game, I don’t think there’s a team that can last with us.”
Whether LA can get to MLS Cup may very well depend on the aforementioned LAFC problem, but Greg Vanney’s squad will have one final matchup before the playoffs to solve the Black and Gold puzzle.
The other major factor? The Galaxy gotta get healthy and stay healthy. Dejan Joveljic has been an instrumental cog in the attack with 12g/5a. When he’s out of the lineup, the goals dry up.
Get him back healthy and/or potentially find a reinforcement or two during the summer transfer window? The Galaxy’s got a shot at a title.