Los Angeles Galaxy star wins first MLS award

The Los Angeles Galaxy won just eight games last year. They have already been to more MLS Finals as a franchise than wins in 2023. General Manager Will Kuntz followed through on his commitment to return this team to greatness.

During the winter, a number of new faces were brought in to rejuvenate the LA Galaxy and see the five-time MLS Cup winners make the postseason again. Goalkeeper John McCarthy was signed replacing the previous starter, Jonathan Bond. Some international was inked, as well, to give Head Coach Greg Vanney more options in his lineup for 2024.

The Brazilian forward joined Joseph Paintsil in coming to play professional soccer for Major League Soccer. Gabriel Pec was one of four members of the Los Angeles Galaxy to score 10 goals or more. He and Paintsil became the first pair of newcomers to record double-digit goals and assists in their MLS debuts.

How spectacular was Gabriel Pec this year?

The league paid attention and named the 23-year-old talent the MLS Newcomer of the Year this week. Pec won nearly half of the media votes and slightly more than a third of the players' votes.
He beat out other outstanding nominees such as Luis Suarez and Luca Orellano.

Both players had incredible first season's in the league, too. They contributions this year definitely factored in their teams making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Suarez had 20 goals and nine assists in 27 games with Inter Miami FC. Orellano appeared in all but one of the 34 games this season for FC Cincinnati. He produced ten goals and five assists.

The LA Galaxy won 19 games and was a point away from earning the top seed in the Western Conference over rival LAFC. Pec scored in each of his team's last five regular season games. He also tallied three assists and committed only three fouls in that stretch.

Against two Western Conference powerhouses, the Seattle Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake, Pec scored the only goal in 1-0 wins against both teams during the regular season. The newcomer was also responsible for the only score in three of the LA Galaxy's losses this season.

Arguably, Pec had his best game this season on July 7 when the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated a Minnesota United FC team, 2-1. He scored both goals in the contest held at Dignity Health Sports Park where the Galaxy have not lost a game during the regular season.

Since the LA Galaxy swept the Colorado Rapids in the opening round of the MLS Western Conference Playoffs, they will face Minnesota again in the semifinals later this month. The game will be played in Carson, California with the winner advancing to the MLS Western Conference Finals.