This past year could be characterized as up and down for the LA Galaxy.
On the field, the 2022 season could be characterized as a success, as the Galaxy made it back to the MLS playoffs after a two-year hiatus and won a playoff game, though that thought was tempered by the fact that its season ended at the hands of cross-town rival LAFC, who went on to win the MLS Cup.
However, any thought of carrying the momentum of the 2022 season into this season took a major hit in December, when the Galaxy were severely penalized by the league for violating salary budget and roster guidelines in regards to the contract it gave to Cristian Pavon during his time with the Galaxy. The Galaxy had attempted to structure the contract of Pavon, who played with the Galaxy from August of 2019 until November of 2020, to a point that Pavon would be classified at a Target Allocation Money (TAM) player and not as a Designated Player, as the Galaxy at that time already used all three of its DP slots. However, MLS soon found out that Pavon’s salary and contract structure should have classified him as a DP. As a result, the league fined the Galaxy $1 million, took away an additional $1 million in General Allocation Money, and prohibited from signing any international players during the Summer 2023 Transfer window. LA Galaxy president Chris Klein was also suspended through the end of the primary transfer window and former general manager Dennis te Klose will have to apply for reinstatement to the league.
The Galaxy did attempt to mitigate some of the penalties assessed to them, as they sent striker Kevin Cabral to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $1 million in General Allocation Money. The trade also opened up a DP spot, which the Galaxy assigned to midfielder Riqui Puig, who was acquired from FC Barcelona midway through last season and was instrumental to the Galaxy’s late-season run to the playoffs. Still, the inability to sign international players in the Summer could hinder the LA Galaxy’s ability to compete in 2023.
Adding to the bad karma surrounding the franchise to start 2023, its season opener against LAFC, which was slated to be on February 25 at the Rose Bowl, a match in which around 70,000 tickets had been sold, was postponed due to the rainstorms that had pounded Southern California during that weekend and was rescheduled to July 4. That also meant its season opener was now on the road against FC Dallas, a match which it lost 3-1.
Despite the penalties and the delayed season opener, the Galaxy still feature a talented roster. Aside from Puig, they still have Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who scored a team-high 18 goals last season, and are hoping for a bounce back season from Douglas Costa, who currently occupies the team’s third DP spot. The Galaxy are also expecting major contributions from a pair of Uruguayan mid-season signings, midfielder Gaston Brugman and defender Martin Caceres, and during the primary transfer window, added Brazilian Lucas Calegari on loan from Fluminense and promising USMNT forward Tyler Boyd.
With the Summer Transfer Window restrictions being imposed, the Galaxy will be hoping for continued improvement from midfielder Marky Delgado, who had a breakout season in 2022, becoming a regular in the Galaxy starting 11. Also, the Galaxy have to be encouraged by the rise of homegrown defender Jalen Neal, who participated in the USMNT’s January camp. Neal’s presence will be especially important, as the Galaxy transferred right back Julian Araujo to Barcelona, though still expect the Galaxy to be patient with Neal’s development. Also, the Galaxy still have the services of homegrown midfielder Efrain Alvarez, striker Dejan Joveljic and keeper Jonathan Bond.
