Galaxy acquire Christian Ramirez, begin CVI

INDIO, Calif. -- Before the LA Galaxy had even kicked off in their first match of the Coachella Valley Invitational, they were already in the news cycle. Early Wednesday, news broke that the Galaxy had acquired Striker Christian Ramirez from the Columbus Crew for a reported $500K in General Allocation Money (GAM). 

The deal is designed to lessen the recent sting of losing Dejan Joveljić, who was traded to Sporting Kansas City in the first cash-for-player trade in MLS history. The Galaxy received $4M for the Serbian striker, who scored 22 goals last year during the Galaxy’s championship season, including the game-winners in the Western Conference Finals and MLS Cup.

Los Angeles immediately set out to reinforce the hole left by Joveljić’s departure by bringing in Ramirez. Although Ramirez was pursued by Colombian side America de Cali, he will now be expected to be the Galaxy’s starting striker for the 2025 campaign as they look to defend the MLS crown. 

The 33-year-old carries a wealth of experience, having played for and finding success with multiple MLS teams including, Minnesota United, Houston, LAFC, and the Crew. 

The California native scored nine goals and added six assists last year for Columbus, while his best goal tally was in 2017 when he scored 14 with MNUFC. He will be the fifth player who will play for both LA teams.

Although it remains to be seen if Ramirez can replicate the feats of 2017, he should fit well into LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney’s team. The direct threat that Galaxy wingers pose should open space for Ramirez. Service coming in from the wings will ensure he’ll get chances to get goals as well. 

Ultimately, Ramirez should be able to acclimate to life as a Galaxy player quickly. Columbus’ possession-based system is not entirely dissimilar to LA’s, and as we saw in the Galaxy’s first match of the CVI, as long as the champs follow Vanney’s tactical system, they should make chances and be successful.   

The System is the Star

Despite not fielding Marco Reus, Joseph Paintsil, Maya Yoshida, the injured Riqui Puig, or any of the recently departed 2024 MLS Cup winners like Gaston Brugman, Mark Delgado, Jalen Neal, and Joveljić, the reigning champs didn’t miss a beat.

From the first whistle, the Galaxy controlled the match against Austin, creating several chances all over the pitch. The system and identity that brought LA success last campaign, were easily apparent as they passed around their opponents. 

Gabriel Pec in particular was a terror for the Verde and Black defense. Time and again, the winger got in behind the backline with well-timed passes into space. The 2024 MLS Newcomer of the Year picked up right where he left off last season by putting the Galaxy up 1-0 in the ninth minute for the Galaxy’s first goal of the season. 

Like Pec, Miki Yamane seems in mid-season form already. The fullback’s rampaging runs into the middle caused havoc for Austin, who would collapse on the defender and allow space for LA’s attack to exploit.

But despite changing his entire lineup for the second half, there was little to no drop-off in the Galaxy’s performance. A mix of Ventura County FC, trialists, and Galaxy depth pieces, there were some miscues from the second-half performers, but not enough to set off alarm bells for Vanney as several gave good accounts for why they should make this Galaxy roster.

Everyone, from the starters to the second-half changes, seemed to understand Vanney’s tactical setup, if not the finer points. And even though the second half team conceded, they also created chances at the other end.

“I thought the game was good for both groups,” Vanney explained to the Sporting Tribune about the first and second-half lineups in a post-match interview at the conclusion of the 1-1 draw. 

“You know, out here, you have a group that has some guys who've been with us for the last year, so things seem to move a little bit more seamless. The second half, you hear my voice a lot more, because it's a group that hasn't spent as much time together, and they're having to adapt inside of the game. But, I thought we had good control over portions of game.”

Once Vanney has a full squad at his disposal, the Galaxy should look even more dangerous. 

But the beauty of his tactical vision is that even when certain key players are missing, if the players “trust the process,” Los Angeles should be successful.

A Goalkeeper Battle in LA?

The Galaxy went into the CVI with a surplus of goalkeepers on the roster. 

They recently re-signed Brady Scott and signed free agent JT Marcinkowski from rival, San Jose Earthquakes. The new arrivals now join John McCarthy and Novak Mićović as Galaxy shot-stoppers. 

But even with multiple competitions to play this campaign, one of these players will be the odd man out. 

Besides this decision, Vanney has one from the other side of the coin. Who will be the Galaxy’s starting goalkeeper in 2025?

Even though Goalkeeper John McCarthy just won MLS Cup with Los Angeles, Vanney was hesitant to guarantee McCarthy would be his starting goalkeeper when the Galaxy faces San Deigo FC in their home and season opener on February 23.

“Last year, when the goalkeepers came in, I had a vision for what it was going to look like, and John disrupted that vision, you know? And I think in that position, I have a vision of it for this year, and I still think, like a lot of positions, is still a competition, and we'll see how guys go,” Vanney told The Sporting Tribune of the budding battle.

The news bodes well for Mićović, who vocally called for his inclusion into the lineup last season. For McCarthy, however, it means he must win his position all over again, despite bringing a title to LA. 

“John has obviously shown us, we know exactly who John is and what he's capable of doing and what he brings to the table for our team. In the moments that Novak got opportunities last year, he looked really good as well. And so I think it's important that we allow them to compete for the position. And you know, we're obviously grateful for John and what he did for us last year. But like everybody, it's the start of a new season, and it's a new competition, and they'll work through it over the course of preseason. They're very different types of goalkeepers, so it's important to see in this team which goalkeeper is giving the group what they need on any given day and inside of matches.”

Each made great saves during the match against Austin, with Mićović making several diving stops to keep Galaxy ahead early.

Both keepers will have three more matches during preseason to stake their claims to the starting spot. 

Going Hard in Preseason

You don’t expect fights to break out during preseason, but that exactly what happened during the Galaxy’s match against Austin. 

During a one-on-one battle in the 17th minute, Diego Fagundez was brought down by Austin Defender Oleksandr Svatok. A fairly normal challenge, it was Fagundez’s claim of Svatok kicking out at him after the challenge that incensed the ex-Austin player and caused the scuffle.

Fagundez immediately engaged Svatok, coming at and pushing the defender, who responded in kind. 

Both sets of teams were forced to intervene, as several players restrained both Fagundez and Svartok. 

Although that was the only physical altercation to speak of, the game itself saw several robust and crunching tackles.

It may only be preseason, but the Galaxy and Austin FC sure took it seriously.

The LA Galaxy will face off next against Charlotte FC on Sunday, February 9, in their second game of the CVI.