Who's the better goalie for the LA Galaxy?

With the Los Angeles Galaxy on a bit of a break from MLS play, we take a look at what a difference a season can make. Last year, the LA Galaxy failed to make the playoffs as they went 8-12-14. They lost almost twice as many games as they won.

This year, they currently sit at first place in the Western Conference (14-7-5). One of the biggest differences is in the team's performance from their goalkeeper. From 2021 to 2023, Jonathan Bond served as the LA Galaxy's starting goalie.

In the first week of 2024, the LA Galaxy announced that keeper John McCarthy would join the team. Earlier this year in February, Bond and the Galaxy mutually parted ways.

Who fared better in goal for the Los Angeles Galaxy?

Is this year's John or last year's Bond? In 24 games for the Galaxy last year, Bond allowed 46 goals. He recorded 80 saves but had a low percentage in goal stopping less than 64% of the shots while logging 2,049 minutes.

He had a similar save percentage the season before in 2022. This was the only year with Bond that the Galaxy qualified for the playoffs.

This year, McCarthy has played in 24 games and allowed 33 goals. He also has more than ten extra saves in two fewer games when compared. Bond was the more accurate passer as he averaged 80% in two of the three seasons.

McCarthy has struggled at times this season. In fact, he's never averaged more than 66% in any season. However, his save percentage is more than 10% than Bond's average last year.

With 2,160 minutes logged already this year, McCarthy has played 111 more minutes at this point compared to Bond's 2,049 minutes last season.

For goalies that have played in more than five games this season, McCarthy ranks eighth best with a save percentage of 72.1 and he also saves total (96) ranks in the top five.

Head coach Greg Vanney joined the LA Galaxy with Bond. But the addition of McCarthy served as the proper replacement for his squad. While this team could be a playoff hopeful with Bond as the keeper, the Galaxy are in first place. Much of that credit deserves to go to McCarthy.