Recap, Match Day #11: LA Galaxy suffer 8th loss after perhaps their best game | OneFootball

Of all chances this season, the Los Angeles Galaxy had their best shot at winning after a ten-game streak of nothing but ties and losses. Entering Sunday, their opponent was in 14th place of the MLS Western Conference, one spot ahead of the Galaxy.

After 90 minutes of play, plus stoppage time, the result became all too familiar for the six-time MLS Cup champions. They failed to produce a win.

This season looks even worse on paper than the 2023 MLS regular season. That year, the LA Galaxy won just eight games and missed the playoffs.

There's no place like Kansas... for an abnormal soccer game.

No one on Sporting Kansas City scored. Yet, the Los Angeles Galaxy were down 1-0 after the 13th minute mark.

An unfortunate own-goal from defender Maya Yoshida was the only time the scoreboard needed to be adjusted in this contest. However, the rest of the game was some of the best soccer the Los Angeles Galaxy displayed.

LA Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil had a good look to tie the game. This would be one of the few chances the six-time champions threatened to find the back of the net against Kansas City.

The LA Galaxy were unbeaten in the last five matches against Sporting, including a pair of wins last season. Los Angeles pressured against near the 85th minute on of their 12 corner kicks.

Statistically, the Galaxy should have won this game. Yet, as the 2025 MLS regular season has played out, bad luck and despair have struck this roster on the field. The loss adds to the worst start by any defending champion in Major League Soccer history.

Paintsil and Gabriel Pec both appeared to have sustained injuries and were subbed out after the stars went down on separate plays. Matheus Nascimento went in for Paintsil in the 80th minute, and Mauricio Cuevas came in for Pec in the 74th minute.

Just as the Los Angeles Galaxy appeared to be fully healthy (aside from Riqui Puig), the team couldn't capitalize on their dominant performance in this game. The LA Galaxy still find themselves at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference.

The LA Galaxy defense not only held Sporting forward Dejan Joveljic scoreless, but Kansas City failed to get off a legitimate shot on goal against John McCarthy. Joveljic was one of the major contributors to the Los Angeles Galaxy winning their sixth MLS Cup five months ago.

Next up for the Galaxy is a rematch of last year's MLS Cup Finals against the New York Red Bulls. The 2024 MLS Eastern Conference winners are 4-3-4 (15 points).