(The Athletic)
Welcome to the 23rd Season Preview of the 2023 MLS season! We are continuing this journey with the league leaders in MLS Cups with five, the Los Angeles Galaxy. From missing the playoffs in 2021 to battling through the Western Conference semifinals last season, the Galaxy look to take the next step in this upcoming campaign. For those of you who are new to MLS Now's work, thanks for reading today and check out all of what our podcast and blog site has to offer. Let's get into it below.
2022 Recap
Record: 14-8-12 (50 points/4th in West)
Team Leader Goals: Chicharito 18, Dejan Joveljic 11, Douglas Costa 4
Team Leader Assists: Julian Araujo 9, Efrain Álvarez/Raheem Edwards 6
2023 Outlook
Manager: Greg Vanney (3rd season)
Additions: LM Memo Rodriguez (free from Houston Dynamo/27 years old), CB Chris Mavinga (free from Toronto FC/31 years old), RW Tyler Boyd* (free from Besiktas/28 years old)
Subtractions: RB Julian Araujo ($4 million transfer to FC Barcelona/21 years old), LW Kevin Cabral ($1 million GAM trade to Colorado Rapids/23 years old), CB Derrick Williams ($200k GAM trade to DC United/29 years old), RW Samuel Grandsir (free to AC Le Havre/26 years old), CAM Victor Vazquez (MLS Re-Entry Draft to Toronto/35 years old), CM Sacha Kljestan (retired/37 years old), CB Nick DePuy ($50k GAM trade to Nashville SC/28 years old)
Designated Players: CF Chicharito, RW Douglas Costa
*rumored to be completed soon
Projected Starting XI
Season suspensions, international transfer ban, supporter protests, player looking to lose his dream opportunity from a computer error, star player "getting bored" in the city... the lights always shine bright in Hollywood! In all seriousness, the Los Angeles Galaxy look to take their league play to the next step in 2023. This occurring will come down to two players awaiting a breakout season: Riqui Puig and Efrain Alvarez. Both players have the technical skill that puts them above and beyond others around them, they just have to put it together. Puig looked so smooth with the ball and Alvarez found the back of the net four times in magnificent ways this preseason. Memo Rodriguez has been one of my favorite players in the league and I think he'll make it hard for Vanney to keep him out of the starting 11 as the season goes on. After selling Julian Araujo, the club looks to be going after Fluminense's Lucas Calegari to fill their right back and U22 roster spot. Chris Mavinga joins Marky Delgado to join their former head coach in the West. In preseason, the club ran formations with both Chicharito and Joveljic out there together... with a combined 29 goals last season that's not a bad idea to look into. My last point: Douglas Costa has to get it together. What a poor season from a player who might be on his last legs in his career. Where do you think the Galaxy finish in the West this season? Let us know!
Thanks for viewing our twenty-third 2023 season preview. There will be a new one out about every single day leading up to MLS kickoff. If you are a passionate fan looking to write about your club, we are actively seeking contributors for MLS clubs this season. If interested, message us on either Twitter or Instagram @MLSNowPodcast. We want to provide an outlet for fans to discuss their club on the site and also guest star on the podcast throughout the season.
Bryce Leslie
Twitter: @bleslie19