The Fall from Grace: Galaxy’s Season-Opening Loss
San Diego FC midfielder Anders Dreyer shot in front of Galaxy defender Miki Yamane during the Galaxy’s season-opening loss at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday. The Galaxy, the reigning MLS Cup champions, suffered a 2-0 defeat, marking their first loss at their home ground in 22 games. The defeat was particularly stinging as it made the Galaxy the first team to lose their season opener to an expansion side. The Galaxy’s performance was described as listless and lifeless by many, and it underscored the challenges that come with defending a title.
The Weight of the Title
Before joining the Galaxy, Christian Ramírez spent two seasons with the Columbus Crew, experiencing both the highs and lows of MLS. In 2020, the Crew won the MLS Cup, but they failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs the following year. Ramírez’s experience highlights a crucial lesson: climbing to the top is harder than staying there. This was a lesson the Galaxy, who won the MLS Cup last season, seemed to have overlooked. "It becomes a championship game for teams to prove themselves against us," Ramírez said. "It’s a little bit of the curse of the championship."
The MLS Cup Curse
The concept of the MLS Cup Curse is well-documented. No team has won back-to-back titles since Bruce Arena’s Galaxy in 2011-12. Only two teams, the Seattle Sounders and LAFC, have made consecutive appearances in the final since then. Toronto FC, which won the Cup in 2017, missed the playoffs the next season, losing a record 18 games. Similarly, Columbus, the 2020 champions, missed the playoffs in 2021. Ramírez, along with defender Eriq Zavaleta and goalkeeper John McCarthy, are the only current Galaxy players who have experienced this curse. Their insights will be invaluable in navigating the challenges of the upcoming season.
A New Beginning and Old Challenges
The Galaxy’s loss was not just a matter of performance on the field; it was a reflection of the team’s ongoing adjustments. Defender Maya Yoshida, who led the league in minutes played last season, had to take a pay cut to return. Five starters from the championship-winning squad are no longer with the team, and four new faces appeared in Sunday’s lineup. The absence of key players like Riqui Puig and Joseph Paintsil, along with the departures of Dejan Joveljic and Mark Delgado, left the team with a less dynamic attack. "We didn’t look like a team that just won the championship," coach Greg Vanney said. "We looked like a team that was fitting some things together."
The Road Ahead
The Galaxy’s immediate challenge is to regain their form and momentum. They face a busy schedule, starting with a game in Vancouver on Sunday, followed by CONCACAF Champions Cup play three days later. In the next 27 days, they will play seven games in at least two countries and three states. The pressure is on, and the team will need to rise to the occasion. "This is a new challenge for us, how much they want to beat us," Yoshida said. "We have to be ready for this. We have to fight. We have to be better."
The Spirit of Resilience
Despite the loss, the Galaxy’s players and coaching staff remain committed to regaining their championship form. Yoshida’s call to action—emphasizing that there are no excuses—reflects the team’s determination to overcome the challenges ahead. The MLS Cup Curse may be a reality, but the Galaxy are determined to break it. As Ramírez noted, "The MLS Cup Curse is real, but it’s up to us to fight it." The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Galaxy can rise to the occasion and continue their championship legacy.
