Los Angeles, Calif. -- It’s been almost a week since the LA Galaxy started their 2026 competitive season.
Two matches and 180 minutes later, they are still searching for their first win.
The points are shared in LA. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/wOjGNg3d4N
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2026
A disappointing 1-1 draw in their opening match of the year, a first-leg tie against Sporting San Miguelito in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Thursday, February 19, was followed up by a nervy, yet gritty 1-1 draw against NYCFC at home on the first Matchday of the MLS calendar.
Yet, there have been signs of improvement from the Galaxy.
“Even though we haven’t been able to win either of the first two matches, the good thing about the team is that we came out with the right mentality. In the first game, we started off being behind 1-0, and we were able to tie it. In the second match, we started off winning, and then with one less, we maintained the result,” LA Galaxy Left Back Julian Aude shared in a press conference ahead of leg two against Sporting San Miguelito.
“In preseason, and in these first two matches, we’ve shown the intensity needed to stand firm at the end of the 90 minutes.”
But even though the Galaxy was able to rescue the tie in Panama and “stand firm” for a point in their MLS home opener, the feeling is that the Galaxy should’ve gotten more out of these first two matches.
On paper, the Galaxy should’ve had enough talent to easily dispatch San Miguelito, yet they struggled with Sporting’s low block. Against NYCFC, the Galaxy played well enough to take all three points, but a moment of (controversial) madness by Emiro Garces denied them the win.
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Galaxy defender Emiro Garces (25) fights for possession during an MLS game, Sunday February 22nd, 2026 in Carson, Calif
Two games in, two opportunities wasted, and the inkling of a familiar feeling has started creeping in.
New signing Midfielder/Defender Justin Haak admitted that even though the Galaxy has faced challenges early; a congested schedule, early-season injuries, etc, the six-time MLS Cup champion should have taken maximum points from its first two matches.
"I think it's been a fast start to the season. It's always difficult to travel to Panama, play on an interesting field, different circumstances, and then come back home,” Haak said in a post-match press conference after the NYCFC draw.
“I agree with you that we probably should have gotten more from both of these games. I think today, especially, we showed really good character to still come away with a point in a difficult situation, going down a man.”
Despite the slow start to the season, LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has already spoken about making tactical switches that should help the Galaxy. Although LA has faced two very different teams, the same thing has ailed the Galaxy in both fixtures: a lack of attacking threat. Vanney is calling on his team to learn from the games.
"So what's beautiful about these moments and playing these different teams is the team is facing different challenges, and from each of these challenges, we need to learn from these challenges, and that's where I think these games can be beneficial to us,” Vanney shared in a press conference pre-Sporting.
Week 4: Six tickets to the Round of 16 up for grabs 🎟️@Hilton pic.twitter.com/AOxHjY1wFE
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 23, 2026
Hopefully for Galaxy fans, Vanney and his team have taken all the lessons from these first two matches, learned from them, and will use them to spur themselves to victory over San Miguelito and into the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Winning could be the springboard the LA Galaxy needs to jumpstart their season.
A loss to San Miguelito would mean they’ve taken nothing from and lost those early-season lessons as well.
