What the LA Galaxy's New Year's Resolution should be

The Los Angeles Galaxy should prioritize avoiding this one stat in 2025

LA Galaxy v New York Red Bulls: Final - MLS Cup 2024
LA Galaxy v New York Red Bulls: Final - MLS Cup 2024 | Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/GettyImages

This year was one of the best ever for the Los Angeles Galaxy. It was a vast improvement from 2023.

After missing the playoffs a season ago, the Western Conference powerhouse ended their decade-long MLS Cup Title drought

The 2024 season certainly came with its ups and downs, highs and lows, and then some. A record sixth title in ten appearances in the MLS Finals. A game prior, one their top stars is out for a year with an ACL tear.

While Head Coach Greg Vanney is ready for the challenge of repeating as champion in 2025, there are a couple of things he must be aware of.

This is the resolution that the LA Galaxy should have going into the new year and season.

Avoid the early deficits

Yes, the six-time MLS Champions has rebounded nicely from a few early holes. The mid-September classic against LAFC is an example.

The LA Galaxy were down early in the first 15 minutes of play when goalkeeper John McCarthy failed to make a pair of key saves. After being down 2-0. the Galaxy came roaring back with four goals of their own in the second half.

However, not all games ended in glory like that one.

Jonathan Pérez, Eddie Segura
Los Angeles Football Club v Los Angeles Galaxy. | Ronald Martinez/GettyImages

The first loss of the Galaxy's season came in the first of three match ups against LAFC. Timothy Tillman scored on McCarthy in the game's fourth minute.

Julian Aude's goal in the game's 29th minute wasn't enough as Dénis Bouanga scored on a penalty kick six minutes later. The LA Galaxy could not overcome the 2-1 deficit going into halftime.

After scoring seven goals in their next two games, the Los Angeles Galaxy were then blanked on the road by Austin FC, 2-0. Diego Rubio and Jáder Rafael Obrian both scored in the first 20 minutes of this contest.

After going unbeaten in February and March, this was the LA Galaxy's second loss in the month of April. Both games were played with early deficits.

Mark Delgado
Los Angeles Galaxy v St. Louis City SC | Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Late in the season, the LA Galaxy traveled to play St. Louis City SC. They lost 2-1 as they could not fully make up for the early goal scored by Cedric Teuchert in the 9th minute.

Gabriel Pec's score in the opening minute of the second half would eventually be negated by Marcel Hartel finding the back of the net at the 68th minutes.

One last example came against the Portland Timbers. Jonathan Rodriguez scored the game's first goal inside of 20 minutes. That led to three more goals before the end of the match. The LA Galaxy would go on to lose, 4-2.

As we know, the LA Galaxy went on to win or tie all 16 games at Dignity Health Sports Park. They were unbeaten during the regular season and postseason in Carson, California.

All of these early deficits and losses came on the road. Thus, it is vital in the Los Angeles Galaxy's quest for a seventh MLS Cup to avoid giving up early goals.

That would make for a fairly solid New Year's Resolution for 2025.