3 reasons why NOT to panic about the LA Galaxy's rough start in 2025 | OneFootball

Last season, the Los Angeles Galaxy had a historic, turnaround season in 2024. They not only lead the MLS Western Conference in scoring but the were able to capture their sixth title.

That's a vast improvement from the year before. The LA Galaxy won just eight games during the 2023 MLS regular season. They won 19 a season ago.

This year looks to be shaping up to be more like 2023. However, there are three key reasons for fans and the LA Galaxy's locker room not to stress (too much) about their 0-2-3 start in their first five games in 2025.

1. The teams that the LA Galaxy have played are really good.

In 16 games played at Dignity Health Sports Park last season, the LA Galaxy went unbeaten in all of them. So far in 2025, they are 0-0-2.

While dropping the season opener against newcomers San Diego FC was not expected, it is now understandable. They are 2-2-1 in their first five games this season.

As San Diego FC is currently in the top six spots in the MLS Western Confernce as of March 26th three other LA Galaxy past opponents sit there, too. St. Louis City SC and Minnesota United FC are two more of those top teams in the West, now.

The Vancouver Whitecaps sit at the top with a record of 4-0-1. They lost for the first time this season last weekend against the Chicago Fire.

Other than the Portland Timbers, every team that the LA Galaxy has played so far has a positive goal differential thus far. So in conclusion, the defending champions have faced some rather stiff competition early on.

2. Team chemistry is taking time to develop among player movement during the winter.

General manager Will Kuntz was quite busy this off-season. Despite the LA Galaxy winning another title, he knew that the roster had to undergo some changes. Salaray cap and contract situations dictated a number of the moves he made this winter.

The first domino was the trade of 2024 MLS Cup Finals MVP Gaston Brugman. He was shipped to Nashville SC in the same month the Galaxy won the title against the New York Red Bulls.

Sean Davis, who was acquired for Brugman, has since been released by the team. Midfielder Marky Delgado was also sent packing as he was traded to cross-town rival, LAFC.

Young defender Jalen Neal found a new home in Canada. A transaction had him going to CF Montreal.

The most crushing blow to the LA Galaxy was the trade that saw leading scorer Dejan Joveljic leave the team. He is now with Sporting Kansas City, the only team in the West that is below the Galaxy in the standings entering this weekend.

With those departures, spots became available for newcomers Axel Essengue, Mathias Jorgensen, Lucas Sanabria, Elijah Wynder and Christian Ramirez.

Ramirez is the team's leading scorer after the first five games. His second goal of the season helped the Galaxy earn a 2-2 draw last weekend at Minnesota.

His development and growth with this revamped roster will be something to look at closely. The former Columbus Crew forward was brought in to make up for the loss of Joveljic. As we have come to find out, those are some big shoes (or cleats) to fill.

3. Injuries have hurt this team early on.

Midfielder Riqui Puig is still not 100% from his ACL surgery. There is no set timeframe regarding his return. He could very easily sit out the entire 2025 MLS regular season.

Teammate Joseph Paintsil is also healing from a leg injury. It is predicted that the Ghana native will return to action for the Los Angeles Galaxy sometime in April.

Between both Puig and Paintsil, the two combined for 31 goals and 29 assists in 2024. That's 45% of the team's offense a season ago.

Furthermore, LA Galaxy defender Miki Yamane has missed multiple games already. However, he has since comeback to the lineup and taken the field since.

These injuries have certainly affected the LA Galaxy's ability to score and defend. They have lost via shutout twice already.

With their next game at home against Orlando City SC this Saturday, look for the Los Angeles Galaxy to earn their first win of the regular season. That should remind the league why the six-time MLS Cup champs are capable of winning another title.