Why Diego Fagundez was the savior on Saturday night for the LA Galaxy?

Little to nothing has been going the way of the Los Angeles Galaxy. This season has been quite the disappointment in the team's first two months.

Still in search of their first win of the 2025 MLS regular season, this is quite the opposite spot the defending champions were a year ago.

On Saturday, the LA Galaxy hosted the Houston Dynamo. Coming off their 3-2 loss and exit in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, the six-time MLS Cup winners were hoping for a win in their eighth regular-season game.

Why was this game historic for Diego Fagundez and the LA Galaxy?

With defender Maya Yoshida out for another game, the LA Galaxy appointed another veteran player to be the captain. Fagundez, in his 400th career MLS regular season game, took over that role on Saturday.

For an offense that was heavily focused on Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljic last year, Fagundez had a decent season himself. He recorded five goals and six assists in 41 games across the entire 2024 campaing (not just MLS contests).

On Saturday, disaster struck twice in the first half against the Houston Dynamo. After going unbeaten at Dignity Health Sports Park last season, the LA Galaxy were hopeful the home-field advantage would help give them their first win of the new season.

LA Galaxy keeper John McCarthy was not able to save the Dynamo's shot from Ezequiel Ponce. Within the first 15 minutes, the defending champions were down a goal, already. Before the end of the first half, the team would also find themselves down a player.

Mathias (Zanka) Jorgensen was issued a red card for a foul at the 28th minute. His send-off forced the home team to play with just 10 players. The Los Angeles Galaxy was able to recover in the second half thanks to the game's captain.

Fagundez found the back of the net in the 57th minute on Saturday. His score, the first of the 2025 MLS season, tied the game up at 1-1. Though the LA Galaxy still have not won, the draw prevented them from losing a third game in a row.

Next up, Los Angeles will play another Texas-based team on the road next Saturday. The Galaxy plays Austin FC, a former team of Fagundez. Perhaps he can be the savior and make more history, too.