LA Galaxy drop last preseason match, 1-0, to Chicago Fire

INDIO Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy lost their preseason unbeaten streak and last match of the Coachella Valley Invitational to the Chicago Fire 1-0 on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in their final tune-up before their home opener next Sunday. 

In a match that saw Midfielder Marco Reus start in his return to action, playing his first minutes of preseason, new signing Lucas Sanabria start, and new Striker Christian Ramirez also log more time in the starting 11, the Galaxy were unable to avoid defeat to a physical and defensively stubborn Chicago side. 

A Brian Gutierrez goal in the 22nd minute was enough to sink LA, as Tom Barlow took advantage of heavy Chicago pressure, which caused a Galaxy miscue in their defensive third, to pick up a loose ball and feed Gutierrez for the curling effort past Goalkeeper Novak Mićović for the game’s only goal.

Although the Fire earned the victory, LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney’s team had the majority of possession. But despite controlling large portions of the game and having several clear chances, LA could not find their goal. 

It was one of the few negatives from an otherwise positive performance from Vanney’s side on the day. 

“In general, I was pleased with the group,” Vanney told The Sporting Tribune of the Galaxy’s performance in a post-match press conference.  “I thought there were some really good actions. I felt like we lacked a little bit in the final piece you know, just putting the ball in the back of the net, the final choice on the cross, a little bit of decisiveness in the finishing zones if you will.” 

A slick passing exchange in the first half between Reus and Defender John Nelson almost led to the match’s opening goal, with their quick touches leading to a pass that found Defender Miki Yamane at the top of the box. The Japanese rifled a shot that would have put the Galaxy ahead in the 18th minute, only for the effort to rattle the top crossbar.  

The Galaxy had a golden chance to even the game in the 58th minute through Midfielder Elijah Wynder. After being played in by Diego Fagundez on the left side, Wynder found himself one-on-one with Fire Goalkeeper Chris Brady. However, the new Galaxy midfielder seemed to be in two minds about whether to shoot or pass, and he ended up shooting straight at Brady in what was the Galaxy’s most clear chance of the game.

Fagundez also had a chance to tie the game through a free kick in the 66th minute. 

The winger’s well-placed shot forced Brady into an acrobatic diving save to his right to keep Fagundez’s shot out and preserve the shutout for the fire. After Fagundez's shot, the Galaxy kept the ball well, but created very little to trouble Brady on the way to their first dropped match of the invitational.

The defeat gives the Galaxy a 1-1-2 record in four matches played during the 2025 CVI. But the reigning MLS Cup champions will need to put the defeat behind them with their home and season opener just a week away when they host new MLS team San Diego FC on February 23, at Dignity Health Sports Park. 

“I think it's a wonderful way to start the season, because preseason sometimes feels long, and they start to wear on teams and players,” Vanney said about the Galaxy’s season opener against the league debutants.

"But when you have a, you know, a special game to kind of start off, whether it's Miami or a rival for a new team like San Diego, it has the guys’ attention, and they're excited to get things going." 

With the Galaxy’s home opener just a week away and their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign kicking off the week after, there is plenty to look forward to for LA as they kick off their championship defense.