LA Galaxy 2019 MLS preview

After suffering from the offseason blues for months, MLS is finally back! Join us as we reflect on the past and preview the future.

How did they finish in 2018?

The Galaxy went 13-12-9 as the original LA club’s rollercoaster of a season featured extreme highs (Zlatan’s debut, El Trafico) and lows (Missing the playoffs on the final day).

Who’s in? Who’s Out?

Biggest change from 2018?

After capturing three MLS Cups in four years, a culture of complacency slowly but surely crept into the organization. When manager and general manager Bruce Arena left, the facade was exposed. And after the LA Galaxy missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, the party was over.

General manager Peter Vagenas was fired and replaced with Dennis de Kloese, someone ESPN reporter Eric Gomez describes as the best El Tri executive of the past 25 years. Te Kloese has turned to South America to right to club, tasking Boca Juniors manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto and his coaching staff with leading the club in a modern direction.

What are the expectations this year?

Schelotto has taken a measured stance when discussing his ambitions, merely confirming the goal of this year’s squad is to make the playoffs. While the words of the new Galaxy boss may seem conservative in nature, a loaded Western Conference means no one will have an easy time qualifying for the postseason.

What’s the biggest concern for this season?

Collectively the Galaxy have to perform the double act of winning on and off the field while allowing the technical staff to rebuild a roster unbalanced in talent, pay, and most importantly, cohesion. Not an easy task. Though it came as a shock to fans, the impending transfer of Ola Kamara is an example of the delicate balancing act the organization must endure.

And with just days left before the roster compliance deadline, there’s still no word as to whether Giovani dos Santos will restructure his contract or accept a buyout from LA.

What’s the new jersey?

LA Galaxy

Dubbed “Night Navy”, LA’s new secondary kit features vertical blue stripes and a glitch pattern.

We have to say, we’re fans of the kit. More than a few fans on social media have trashed the new look, but complaining about new jersey launches has become something of a ritual among the supporters. Even the now classic 2011 black and gold third kit was criticized at the time for having a “boring” style while some fans mocked the “Punjab and Hollywood Light Oil” color descriptions. (In their defense, those were kinda goofy)

Projected starting XI

Lineup11