Recap, Matchday #9: LA Galaxy leaves Austin, Texas with another loss

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·20 April 2025

Recap, Matchday #9: LA Galaxy leaves Austin, Texas with another loss

The six-time MLS Cup champions are off to their worst start in franchise history. Nine games deep into the league's 30th season, the Los Angeles Galaxy are on pace to have the worst season ever.

In 2023, the LA Galaxy struggled to win eight games. They are on pace to win less than that a year after they won a sixth MLS Cup.

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On Saturday, the day before Easter, the Los Angeles Galaxy suffered their fourth shutout loss of the season. It is also their second consecutive shutout on the road.

Was there anything to celebrate in Match #9 for the LA Galaxy?

While neither the offense or the defense has looked the part of defending champions, the defense has done slightly better as of late.

In the LA Galaxy's first three games of the regular season, they gave up seven goals. In their last two contests, the Galaxy have only allowed one goal in each.

Brandon Vazquez of Austin FC ended the scoreless tie late in the second half. He was responsible for the game's only goal in the 81st minute. Once more, the LA Galaxy ofense could not capitalize on the defense doing their part in the first half.

"I think we all have a reasonable idea and vision of what we want things to look like. I think, again, executing is a big part of it for us. think it's a work-in-progress in the way we want to play the game. And I don't think we are going to do a 180 on the way we want to play the game which is to be ball-oriented and to use the ball well and to create our opportunities."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Veteran defender and regular captain Maya Yoshida has been hurt and missed the last few games. Fellow Japanese teammate Miki Yamane has also been left out of the Starting XI, too.

The newcomers have not meshed well yet, either. Mathias Jorgensen was not listed available for Saturday's game. He was issued a red card less than 15 minutes into the match against the Houston Dynamo.

Head Coach Greg Vanney's nephew, Eriq Zavaleta was called upon to start in his first game of the season. Alongside him were Yamane, John Nelson, and Carlos Garces.

The 4-2-3-1 formation used by Vanney on Saturday did not produce a goal. The LA Galaxy have only found the back of the net six times. That's ten less goals than they have given up.

Hence why the defending champions (0-3-6) are back to the bottom of the MLS Western Conference standings. The Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City are the only other two teams, besides the LA Galaxy, without more than one win.