Oppo Research: 5 Things about LA Galaxy

In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke to Josh Guesman of Corner of the Galaxy Podcast to learn more about LA Galaxy, New York City FC’s opponent to start the 2026 season. Here is your NYCFC vs LA Galaxy preview.

1. LA Galaxy is much improved

Hudson River Blue: After winning MLS Cup in 2024, LA Galaxy took a massive step back last season and missed the playoffs. But the Galaxy significantly rebuilt this winter, bringing in two center-backs – Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak – as well as winger Erik Thommy and striker João Klauss. With these moves, did the Galaxy do enough to fix the weaknesses and compete for a playoff spot?

Josh Guesman: The Galaxy started the 2025 season with young players and lots of injuries. Now, there’s never a good excuse for why the Galaxy were winless in 16 games, but on the backside of 2025, they were playing competent soccer. The young kids are a year older, and the depth on this squad seems to be its strength. And perhaps they figured out how to play without Riqui Puig along the way.

The new signings not only raised the floor of the Galaxy significantly, but also raised the ceiling. Glesnes and Haak are top prospects in the offseason, and their addition should mean the Galaxy are better defensively. Joao Klauss isn’t a prototypical No 9, but he gets to work with two fast guys on the wing – Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec – and his distribution from that top spot means the Galaxy can utilize Marco Reus more without having a traditional No 10. The Galaxy should be well above the playoff line just based on how they finished last season. So there is definite optimism that they’ve found pieces that have only raised that level.

2. The Galaxy has several goal scorers

HRB: The Galaxy’s attack looks dangerous on paper: Marco Reus, Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, Christian Ramirez, Erik Thommy, and João Klauss. Pec and Paintsil had a disappointing 2025, but do you think they could bounce back this year and contribute to a stacked offensive core? Or will other players step up and handle the goal scoring? After all, there’s plenty of mouths to feed.

JG: When the Galaxy succeeded in 2024, they had four players with more than 10 goals. I think this could be a similar season where the goals are spread out, but dominated by Pec and Paintsil.

But there are other guys I’m watching: Matheus Nasimento, Marco Reus, Lucas Sanabria, and Elijah Wynder all seem to be in positions to score goals. Klaus, Pec, and Paintsil are going to be the tip of the spear for the Galaxy on attack. But this seems like the Galaxy is in a position to keep everyone happy, and Vanney Ball loves to spread the love around on offense.

3. A trip to Panama last Thursday

HRB: After finishing third in Leagues Cup last season, the Galaxy qualified for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw at Sporting San Miguelito in Panama on Thursday night. Do you think the travel and quick turnaround will affect the Galaxy ahead of Sunday’s game?

JG: A 6,600-mile round trip is certainly not ideal for your first home game, but Panama is just about as far as you can get in Concacaf, so it’s not surprising. That being said, a hectic and condensed preseason seems to have set the Galaxy up for a hectic and condensed start to the season. They’ll play four games in 10 days (three of those at home) and will likely be fielding two different lineups.

It’s assumed the “B” lineup will start down in Panama, and the “A” lineup will make the Galaxy’s MLS debut against NYCFC. But if something weird happens in Concacaf (which it always does), don’t be surprised if there is a change to the “A” lineup. It’s definitely something they’ll have to contend with, and it will ABSOLUTELY affect the game.

4. The X-Factor: Justin Haak, the defense

HRB: What’s the X-factor that could decide this game?

JG: The Galaxy’s defense and Justin Haak. The Galaxy has never had a great defense under Greg Vanney, but this could be his year. Jakob Glesnes, Emiro Garces, Justin Haak, Miki Yamane, Maya Yoshida, John Nelson, and Julian Aude are all primed for a big 2026. And it doesn’t hurt that Haak is playing his previous team and will likely be starting in midfield for the Galaxy. (Edwin Cerrillo is suspended for yellow-card accumulation from the last game of last season.) Maybe it’s more hope than evidence-based, but if the Galaxy’s defense shows up the way that some expect, this could tilt the game in LA’s direction.

5. Predicted score, Starting XI

HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?

JG: Prediction 2-2 draw. If the Galaxy’s defense stands up to NYC, that could tip it.