Previewing Houston Dynamo at LA Galaxy with Galactic Tribune
(image via LA Galaxy)
The Houston Dynamo head back to the west coast for a late night match tomorrow in Carson, California. We talked to our friend Alex Ruiz from Galactic Tribune to get some insight on the LA Galaxy ahead of Saturday’s match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): The Galaxy lost a number of key pieces from last season's MLS Cup winning side. What is the feeling around the fanbase early this season without a win still?
Galactic Tribune (GT): There is a sense of frustration from the fanbase and the team. Coming off an MLS Cup win, you’d expect the club to still be competitive, but that’s not been the case. The fanbase has been frustrated with key players like Dejan Joveljic, Gaston Brugman, Mark Delgado and Jalen Neal departing the club over the offseason. Those departures have played a role in the club’s poor start this season.
The Galaxy hasn’t been played off the park by the team, but rather, it’s the club’s mistakes on the pitch that have been its demise in games. Individual errors and struggles in possession have held LA back from getting back. Both Head Coach Greg Vanney and multiple veteran players on the team have called out these moments as to why they are in their current predicament.
BCS: The defense has struggled this year, allowing two goals a game. What are some reasons behind the poor showing of the back line this season?
GT: The backline has been injured, and there has been little consistency this season. When John McCarthy, John Nelson, Maya Yoshida, Emiro Garces and Miki Yamane start together in the backline, LA is undefeated. That group has only played one game together in 2025 – and it only lasted 31 minutes due to Yoshida suffering a hamstring injury in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup against Tigres.
It's hard to be a solid defense when there are so many moving parts, especially early in the season. The backline should improve as players start to get healthy and the group gets more playing time together.
BCS: With the Galaxy being eliminated from Champions Cup midweek, is there a bit of a silver lining now that they can focus all their attention on MLS?
GT: Yes, the Galaxy want to climb the standings. Many of the players on the roster still believe that they will start to pick up results and are confident that they aren’t one of the worst teams in MLS.
The Galaxy now has time during the week to integrate its new players on the team. When playing in the Champions Cup, the Galaxy had limited time on the training pitch to really dig into the small tactical details. The focus for the players is solely on the league play and nothing else.
BCS: We saw Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil take the league by storm last year. Do they have it in them again to carry this Galaxy team again, even with all of their player losses?
GT: It’s been hard for Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil to find a rhythm this season. With Paintsil injured at the start of the season, Pec has been the main focal point for the LA Galaxy attack. Teams are developing their gameplans around Pec, and it's forcing him to get the ball farther away from the goal compared to last season.
Paintsil looked good in the 3-2 loss to Tigres. His pace and threat on the backline add another dimension that teams have to take into account. He’s still ramping up, and LA is hoping that he can continue to carry this positive momentum.
Pec and Paintsil have very little time playing together this season, so this match against Houston could be where both players can jumpstart the attack. Time will tell if they can lift the LA Galaxy out of the bottom of the Western Conference.
BCS: Who are some players on this new-look Galaxy team that Dynamo fans should be on the lookout for that they may not know as much about?
GT: Christian Ramirez has found a rhythm in the league in the last month. He leads the LA Galaxy with three goals this season. He’s been the bright spot in the attack this season, and with Pec and Paintsil in the starting lineup, Ramirez needs to capitalize on the chances that come his way.
He’s not a new player, but Julian Aude has looked good this season. The left back adds a bit more attacking flair on the left wing and if he starts, he will help LA’s attack down that side of the field. Even if he doesn’t start, the Galaxy will likely call him off the bench to add an attacking spark.
New signings Lucas Sanabria and Matheus Nascimento have had little playing time this season. They have yet to really provide any contributions to the team on the pitch. Expect the pair to come off the bench during this match to get needed playing time.
BCS: Do the Galaxy have any other injury concerns and what do you predict their lineup to be?
GT: Maya Yoshida and Marco Reus will miss this game due to injury. I’d expect to see the same lineup that played on Tuesday night in Mexico. That is LA’s best possible lineup, given the club’s current circumstances.
It would be quite surprising to see rotation on Saturday night.
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We want to thank Alex for his time and wish our friends in Los Angeles the best of luck tomorrow.
