3 Reasons Why the LA Galaxy Have to Re-Sign this Young Forward

The LA Galaxy have been one of the league's most disappointing teams in 2025. Yet, they have regained some of their form from last season that saw the soccer club capture it's sixth MLS Cup.

It took 16 games before the Los Angeles Galaxy remembered how to win. It wasn't until their 17th regular season game that they managed to outscore an opponent for 90 minutes or more of soccer.

"First of all, it's an honor to be with the Galaxy. It's the place that I would like to be and I'm glad that I'm here. My adaptation has been great. There's a lot of Brazilians around and that helps me. Also, with the team, and the whole coaching staff, they welcome me in, I felt like I was already part of the team for a long time. I'm so happy with the welcome they gave."

Matheus Nascimento, LA Galaxy forward

Dating back to that 2-0 victory at home over Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy have gone 2-2-1 in their last five games. They were minutes away from a 3-2 win at St. Louis City and their only major blemish is the 2-0 shutout on the road against the Colorado Rapids.

Head Coach Greg Vanney has had to rely on Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, and Marco Reus to provide the offense for a team struggling to score this year. Friday night's contest against the Vancouver Whitecaps was just the second time all season the LA Galaxy scored more than two goals in a game.

All three of those players were a part of last year's championship team. One shining star that has been infused in the LA Galaxy's recent burst is a young Brazilian star who is not under contract after this season.

The LA Galaxy must lock up Matheus Nascimento long term.

After earning his first-ever goal contribution in the league with an assist, Nascimento followed that up with another. He tallied an assist in the win over Real Salt Lake as well as one of the three goals against St. Louis City SC. The 21-year-old forward added another assist in that contest.

During the 4th of July game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Brazilian sensation found the back of the net for his second goal of the season. Nascimento has taken over where former Columbus Crew forward Christian Ramirez was playing at the beginning of the season.

Nascimento has made scoring contagious. In both games that he has scored, a teammate has score twice in the same match. Pec had a pair of goals in the 3-3 draw vs. St. Louis and Paintsil added two in the second half of the win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Both are not under contract after this season and could be free agents. Ramirez is making slightly more than Nascimento ($25,000 more) as both clear a half million dollar salary on the season.

Ramirez is a former MLS Cup champion, having won with the Crew, but he will turn 35 at the beginning of next season. Whereas, Nascimento will turn only 22 that same month.

"[Matheus Nascimento] He's got a good skill set. He's a good athlete. He's play strong. He can link up the play. He's reading games and combining with Marco and the others. So I think for a lot of it was just him settling into the league and into what we're asking from him. You know, gaining confidence, I think understanding tactically. All those things I think, again, for him are all kind of coming into a place where he's comfortable."

Greg Vanney, head coach of the LA Galaxy

General Manager Will Kuntz needs to work his magic this winter. Lucas Sanabria is the only member of the Los Angeles Galaxy that is locked up past the 2028 MLS season. Gabriel Pec and Emiro Garces are signed for three more seasons with about a half dozen more through the 2027 MLS season.

Nascimento is giving the LA Galaxy's front office and locker a number of reasons to remain with the team. First, he is demonstrating that he is capable of scoring. Two, he can also pass while playing comfortably along veteran players like Reus, Paintsil and Pec. Third, Nascimento has been open and public about his experience being pleasant.

With a pair of goals and assists in his last five games, it is a no-brainer to ink Nascimento to a long-term deal. His play has shown that he can be one of the many bright stars in the LA Galaxy.