Where we left off last year
2023 season: 36 points, 13th in the Western Conference
Total failure. That’s where we left off with the LA Galaxy in 2023 as they missed the playoffs for the fifth time in seven years.
With a porous defense and the worst goalkeeping record in the entire league, it didn’t matter that the Galaxy had one of the top playmakers in all of MLS in Riqui Puig running the show in possession. Age and injuries limited Douglas Costa and Chicharito (LA’s other two DPs), leaving Puig far too isolated far too often as he pushed forward from the left side of central midfield.
While the on-field product was exceedingly poor, fan protests added a silver-lining: actual change inside the organization. The LA Galaxy fired president Chris Klein in May, midway through his 11th season with the club. After Klein, technical director Jovan Kirovski was let go during the offseason.
What changed in the offseason
Notable arrivals:
- Will Kuntz, CSO: Kuntz officially joined the LA Galaxy in April of last year, but was elevated to the club’s top front office decision-maker in December. He’s well-regarded around MLS after spending time in LAFC’s front office and inside the league office. Kuntz brings fresh ideas to a club that desperately needs them.
- John McCarthy, GK: Like Kuntz, McCarthy joins the Galaxy after a spell with LAFC. McCarthy filled in as the starter during Maxime Crepeau’s absence last year and performed at a solid level. The 31-year-old could very well see action in 2024.
- Miki Yamane, RB: The Galaxy opted not to pick up Lucas Calegari’s purchase option, so they needed a new starting right back. Enter, Yamane. The 30-year-old has spent his entire career in Japan and has reached the fringes of the Japanese national team.
- Gabriel Pec, W: Signed from Vasco da Gama in Brazil for a club-record deal, Pec scored eight goals and added four assists in 2,600 minutes last year. According to FBref, the new Young DP finished in the 91st percentile in non-penalty xG per 90 minutes among his positional peers in Brazil. Pec, a left-footed winger, does some of his most dangerous work off the ball, rather than on it but he can provide good service from the wing with well-weighted balls into the box.
