LA Galaxy Struggle to Regain Past Glory After MLS Cup Win

The reigning champions face an uphill battle to return to the top of the league.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:40pm

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The LA Galaxy, the reigning 2024 MLS Cup champions, have struggled mightily to start the 2026 season. After a dominant title run, the Galaxy plummeted, going winless in a record-setting 16 games to start the year and finishing second-to-last in the Western Conference. Now, the team is trying to bounce back, but injuries and roster turnover have made the road to recovery a difficult one.

Why it matters

The Galaxy's dramatic fall from grace after their 2024 championship highlights the challenges even the most successful MLS teams face in sustaining long-term success. Their struggles raise questions about the psychological and logistical factors that can contribute to a team's decline, as well as the league's parity and the difficulty of repeating as champions.

The details

The Galaxy's downfall was swift, as they set a league record by going winless in 16 straight games to open the 2026 season. They finished the year with just seven wins in 34 games and a goal differential of -20, narrowly avoiding the Wooden Spoon. Injuries to key players like Riqui Puig and roster turnover, including the departures of Mark Delgado and Dejan Joveljić, contributed to the team's struggles.

  • The Galaxy won the 2024 MLS Cup.
  • The Galaxy went winless in a record-setting 16 games to start the 2026 season.
  • The Galaxy finished second-to-last in the Western Conference in 2026 with 7 wins in 34 games.

The players

Riqui Puig

A star midfielder for the LA Galaxy who missed the 2026 season due to injury.

Mark Delgado

A former LA Galaxy player who departed the team for LAFC.

Dejan Joveljić

A former LA Galaxy player who departed the team for Sporting Kansas City.

Greg Vanney

The head coach of the LA Galaxy, who has experienced both the highs and lows of the team's recent history.

João Klauss

A new striker signed by the LA Galaxy, who has scored 5 goals in 5 regular-season games so far.

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What they’re saying

“There's a history in MLS of turning things around, and nothing motivates a team quite like epic failure following epic success.”

— Rachel Blood, Author

“Vanney's making moves to get the team back to the high point, but it's not happening overnight (or even over a single offseason). The rest of these guys need to start performing on a higher level to really get back to glory.”

— Rachel Blood, Author

What’s next

The LA Galaxy will face Liga MX giants Toluca in the Concacaf Champions Cup, which will be a major test for the team as they try to regain their form.

The takeaway

The LA Galaxy's dramatic fall from grace after their 2024 MLS Cup triumph serves as a cautionary tale about the difficulty of sustaining success in MLS. Their struggles highlight the importance of roster continuity, injury prevention, and consistent high-level performance for even the most dominant teams in the league.