Overreactions to the LA Galaxy quest for a sixth title

Remember 1998?

This was the year that Los Angeles Galaxy made history thanks to Cobi Jones, Welton and Mauricio Cienfuegos. These three torched the league by each scoring more than ten goals that season. In only the league's third year, the LA Galaxy had three of its own reach that mark in the same season.

That record stayed in the history books until this season when four players did it for the Galaxy. In 1998, Jones, Welton and company held the top seed in the Western Conference. Yet, they fell short in the semifinals.

Quite a few times, the Galaxy has seen their season end short of the grand prize while entering the playoffs with a top one or two finish and/or the league's best offense.

With strong teams in the West such as LAFC, Real Salt Lake and even the Portland Timbers who recently beat the Galaxy, 4-2, the competition is tight. The Eastern Conference also has an Inter Miami squad along with defending champions, the Columbus Crew, and FC Cincinnati.

In the league's first six seasons, the LA Galaxy held either the first or second seed in the conference. It wasn't until 2002 that the team finally captured MLS gold.

So, yes. Unfortunately, 2024 could end up like 1998.