Three Questions ahead of LA Galaxy vs. San Diego FC

CARSON, Calif. -- The MLS regular season is finally here.

After a little more than two months since they lifted MLS Cup, the Los Angeles Galaxy will open its campaign by facing off against the league’s newest team in a season and home opener on Sunday, February 23, at 4 pm.

By the time this match kicks off, the rest of MLS will have already played, and the eyes of soccer fans nationwide will be on LA to witness the Galaxy play San Diego FC in their first-ever professional match. 

The fact that the contest will be the first Sunday Night Soccer match on Apple TV, should draw more eyes, as well.

But what kind of LA Galaxy team will viewers see?

It was an offseason spent battling salary cap constraints that saw more than one departure of players vital to last year’s success. Add in a few key injuries to Galaxy DP’s, and some fans and pundits might be tempted to count the Galaxy out before a ball kicks off in LA. 

But LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz and his staff should be commended for the work they did in bringing in replacements capable of “making up the aggregate,” as Kuntz told MLS.com in the lead-up to the season.

Greg Vanney’s possession-based system should make up the rest of the slack, with the core of the team having had a full season under his tutelage to absorb the intricacies of the tactical plan.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few questions about the champs heading into opening day, however.

These are the things to watch for during the LA Galaxy vs. San Diego FC opener on Sunday.

How Much Will Marco Reus Play?

The Galaxy already knew they’d be without star Midfielder Riqui Puig for the majority of the season. But an injury to Winger Joseph Painstil has forced Vanney into a further reshuffle of his lineup.

Had Painstil been available, he most likely would have started on the left wing, leaving the versatile Diego Fagundez to cover the attacking midfield role. In his absence, Vanney will be forced to bring Fagundez out wide, and most likely hand the start in midfield to Marco Reus. 

Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem. 

On his day, Reus oozes class, calm, and technique. The German’s quality is such that he can single-handedly turn a game in the Galaxy’s favor if needed.

The fact that he barely touched the field during preseason and there are questions about his fitness is the worry here.

During the Coachella Valley Invitational, Reus only featured in one match. His 45-minute shift in the Galaxy’s 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire was encouraging, but brief. 

Although a half might be all the Galaxy needs to dispatch the expansion side, if this match is close to start the second half, will Reus be able to give Vanney more minutes?  

Who Will Be the LA Galaxy’s Starting Goalkeeper?

Normally, a two-time MLS Cup-winning goalkeeper wouldn’t have to worry about his starting job. But Galaxy Keeper John McCarthy has had to watch from the bench as his understudy last year, Novak Mićović, has gotten most of the minutes in preseason.

Further complicating matters, Vanney has been hesitant to guarantee McCarthy’s place. 

After the Galaxy’s first CVI match, the Galaxy boss told the Sporting Tribune, “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.”

There wasn’t much of a competition, though. Despite playing the entirety of the Galaxy’s third match, a 2-1 win over Minnesota United, McCarthy featured only once more - the second half of the Galaxy’s first match of the invitational. All of which does not bode well for the championship shot stopper.

In the Galaxy’s last media availability before Sunday’s opener, Vanney stated he’s chosen his starter.

“The decision is made, and the keeper knows who’s gonna be in the goal, and you have to do that to give everyone the right runway to prepare,” Vanney shared about the goalkeeper battle.

Based on Mićović’s involvement during preseason, do all signs point to him being the Galaxy’s number one come kickoff on Sunday? 

Will the LA Galaxy Take the Next Step?

Ever since the Galaxy lifted MLS Cup in December, they acquired a target on their back. 

Every team in the league will be hoping to knock the champion down, so the Galaxy will need to raise its level or risk letting their opponents catch up. Even San Diego will fancy a go at the Galaxy on opening day, knowing that a tie, or even more improbably, a win, might set the tone for their season.

Fortunately, the players are well aware that they must raise their game even further, as complacency could cost them. Pointing to the multiple competitions the Galaxy will play this season, Captain Maya Yoshida called on the team to stay prepared. 

“Players need to be ready for any opportunity,” Yoshida urged.

He was more direct about the things the team must improve upon on the field.

“Tactically, also we need to improve set pieces, which we conceded a lot last season. Also, counterattack, counter-press, high press to increase our possession time, which is our strength,” Yoshida shared. 

The experienced Japanese defender also explained how the Galaxy hopes to cope without Puig, one of LA’s main attacking and creative threats last season.

“Of course, we’re going to take care of Riqui’s creativity, which was also our strength. So, we have to cover and support each other to create the attacking ideas.”

Should the Galaxy find success in conceding fewer set-piece goals, they will already find themselves in a good place this year. If they are somehow able to replace the creativity that Puig brings to the team, they couldn't reach another level, could they?