To a man, the Galaxy knew this season had to be better.
Last season, the Galaxy allowed a whopping 67 goals and finished in 13th place in the Western Conference. There really wasn’t anywhere else to go this year but up.
That’s what has happened through the first six games of the 2024 season, heading into the first city rivalry match against the Los Angeles Football Club.
The Galaxy sits on top of the Western Conference standings (3-0-3, 12 points) and are tied for the MLS lead in points.
“Stronger mindset, just sticking to the plan and sticking in games even when a few things go against us,” Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado said. “Getting results makes everything better, changes the energy in the building, people are happier, walking around with a smile on their face, joking around for no reason, just getting results changes everything and makes a difference in everyone’s attitude.”
Through the first six games, the Galaxy have gotten results, leaning on some of that resiliency. The Galaxy trailed 2-0 against Nashville SC, but scored in the 67th and 82nd minute to get a draw. Against Sporting Kansas City, the Galaxy trailed 2-0 at halftime, but scored in the 72nd, 75th and 80th minutes for a 3-2 win.
“We’ve started really well, from preseason to now, I think you see this team, we’re all a unit, everybody is working hard defensively … and we have some good attacking threats,” midfielder Diego Fagundez said. “It’s one of those things that sometimes we go down and we all still believe we can come back and I think that’s huge.
“We’re at the top of the league and we want to stay there, but Saturday is another big game and if we want to stay there, it’s another challenge for us that we need to accomplish and I think the squad is definitely up for it.”
It is also a team that has been tested on the road. Including Saturday’s trip to BMO Stadium, the Galaxy have already had trips to Nashville SC, Sporting Kansas City and San Jose. Next Saturday, the team will again be on the road at Vancouver.
“These challenges that have been presented to us at the beginning, when I looked at our schedule to be honest with you at the start of the season, I thought, this is going to be a really difficult start to the season,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “Because a number of these games are on the road against really good opponents that are hard to beat that we don’t have particularly great record against and the guys have managed each of these in our own way.
“We’ve managed each of these to get something out of them, which has been special. This (game with LAFC) is going to be no different from that way and it’s going to be a huge challenge, but the resiliency of the group and the quality of the group makes me excited to go in there and see what we can do.”
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One reason for the Galaxy’s early-season momentum is on the defensive end. Through the first six games, the club has allowed nine goals, one of which is an own goal.
“We knew what the problem was (last year),” defender Maya Yoshida said. “I feel like we’re still improving, but still some games, I can see that we’re still lucky to get a point, so we still need to improve some things. I know Los Angeles people like to have their entertainment, but I’m prefer to have more solidarity (defending) and stability as well.”
Galaxy at LAFC
When: 4:45 p.m. Saturday
Where: BMO Stadium
TV: Fox, Apple TV (free)
