Recap, Concafac Round of 16: LA Galaxy vs. Herediano, Leg 1

FanSided MLS

·7. März 2025

Recap, Concafac Round of 16: LA Galaxy vs. Herediano, Leg 1

Wednesday night was the perfect opportunity to earn their first win of the 2025 (aside from the preseason). A trip to Costa Rica ended the same way as the trip to Vancouver, British Columbia. With a loss.

The Los Angeles Galaxy dropped the first game against Herediano, 1-0, in Cartago. A goal from Elías Aguilar in the 65th minute was enough to send the six-time MLS Cup champions packing back to California with a loss.

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What factors led to the LA Galaxy's defeat?

Traveling nearly 4,500 miles to play a game (one way) is rough on any team. Especially for a team that also experience the type of overhaul it did.

Dejan Joveljic, Marky Delgado, Gaston Brugman and Jalen Neal were all sent packing this winter. Sean Davis who was the first newcomer for the LA Galaxy was released prior to the regular season.

"I thought I thought John had an excellent game again. I think he made very mature decisions in moments throughout the game. The areas around the goals were bouncy, and I think in terms of risk taking and not, he was very calculated in a lot of those moments, and I thought he made some big saves in a couple of situations that he needed to come up big."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

General manager Will Kuntz signed international players Axel Essengue, Lucas Sanabria and Mathias Jorgensen to bolster the lineup. Elijah Wynder, Christian Ramirez and JT Marcinkowski also joined the defending champions.

Head coach Greg Vanney has not found the right formula or lineup to maximize the output and production from his stars, yet. After starting in both losses, Novak Micovic took the bench and John McCarthy returned to the Starting XI in goal.

Another new starter, Harbor Miller, got to start the game in the 4-3-2-1 formation. Miller played on the right end of the four-person middle line, opposite of Julian Aude. Ruben Ramos is another player for the LA Galaxy making his first career start for the team.

Sean Karani, the 24-year-old forward, was added this month to the main roster, too. He checked into the game for Marco Reus.

"I would say, were much more in sync. We got to better areas. We got some looks from good distances. I think we need to finish better. But yeah, I thought some of our coordinated actions were much better tonight, much more in sync."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Surprisingly, the LA Galaxy held possession of the soccer ball nearly twice as long as Herediano. Unfortunately, McCarthy's four saves wasn't enough to wrap up a draw since the LA Galaxy failed to score again.

The second match of this series will be played on Wednesday, March 12 in Carson, California. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. (PT) and 9:30 p.m. (CT) that evening.

Despite going unbeaten last year there, the Los Angeles Galaxy lost their home opener there against San Diego FC. That defeat can be avenged on Sunday when the Galaxy host St. Louis City SC who is also looking for their first win of the 2025 MLS regular season.