Where do we start? After missing the playoffs in 2023, the LA Galaxy made an impressive comeback in 2024, securing the second seed in the Western Conference. With 19 wins, a huge leap from just eight the previous year, their offseason moves proved to be a game changer.
The Galaxy signed international stars Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec, along with goalkeeper and former MLS Cup MVP John McCarthy from rivals LAFC.
They set several historic records, including having four players score at least ten goals: Dejan Joveljic, Ricard Puig, Pec, and Paintsil.
Now, let’s dive into three of the most memorable moments from the LA Galaxy’s 2024 regular season.
- The Arrival of Marco Reus
Marco Reus, a star for Borussia Dortmund with 120 goals in 294 appearances, was signed to a two-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him with the Galaxy through the 2026 MLS season.
“Marco Reus is a world-class player who has excelled at the highest level… We look forward to his contributions as we enter the final stretch of the 2024 MLS season and beyond,” said GM Will Kuntz.
In his debut match against Atlanta United, Reus made an immediate impact, assisting the first goal in the 76th minute before scoring one of his own eight minutes later. This performance marked a turning point for the Galaxy, elevating them into the elite ranks and positioning them for a strong finish in the Western Conference, with LAFC being their biggest competition.
- The Comeback Win Over Rival LAFC
After Marco Reus’s debut, the LA Galaxy suffered an unexpected 2-1 loss to St. Louis City SC on the road, which was a setback before their crucial final regular-season match against LAFC.
The Galaxy had lost both previous encounters with LAFC. On April 6, they were defeated 2-1 at LAFC’s home stadium, with John McCarthy unable to prevent an early goal, putting the Galaxy down 1-0 within the first four minutes.
Then, on July 4, the two teams met at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where LA Galaxy again lost 2-1, failing to overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit.
Their third matchup in mid-September seemed like a repeat of the previous two. Once again, McCarthy allowed two early goals, and the Galaxy found themselves down 2-0 at halftime.
However, it only took 15 minutes in the second half for the Galaxy to stage a comeback. Dejan Joveljic scored his first of two goals in the 53rd minute, followed by Edwin Cerrillo’s equalizer just two minutes later.
LAFC’s Lewis O’Brien was shown a red card in the 79th minute, and Joveljic’s second goal, along with a final push from Ricard Puig, sealed the victory for the Galaxy, ensuring they would not let LAFC recover.
What could have been a third consecutive win for LAFC turned into one of the most remarkable comebacks in Galaxy history, also securing a playoff spot with a month still left in the regular season.
- LA Galaxy Make History in Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps
Although the Galaxy had already secured their spot in the postseason, this victory sent a strong message to the rest of the league.
Two games after the previous memory shared here, Head Coach Greg Vanney saw his team facing a slight slump. After defeating LAFC 4-2, the Galaxy suffered a 4-2 loss to the Portland Timbers on the road.
In their third consecutive 4-2 match, the Galaxy came out on top this time, securing a crucial win.
Gabriel Pec scored the only goal of the first half, marking a milestone as he, Dejan Joveljic, and Ricard Puig had already reached double-digit goals, matching the LA Galaxy’s 1998 record where Cobi Jones (19 goals), Welton (17 goals), and Mauricio Cienfuegos (13 goals) each hit ten or more goals.
In the 69th minute, Joseph Paintsil added another goal, making the Galaxy the first MLS team in history to have four players with ten or more goals in the same season.
Additionally, Pec and Paintsil became the first newcomers in MLS history to score ten goals and provide ten assists in their debut season together. This wasn’t the end of the Galaxy’s historic run in 2024, marking one of the best seasons for the club, one of the league’s original teams.
