{"id":46042,"date":"2023-02-24T21:25:14","date_gmt":"2023-02-25T02:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=46042"},"modified":"2023-02-24T21:36:52","modified_gmt":"2023-02-25T02:36:52","slug":"l-a-galaxy-2023-season-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2023\/02\/24\/l-a-galaxy-2023-season-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 LA Galaxy Season Preview: Riqui Shoots for MVP"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Los Angeles Galaxy will be an MLS Cup contender if Riqui Puig can display MVP form. (Photo Credit: Los Angeles Galaxy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Preview<\/strong> – The eyes of the world could have been on Los Angeles on February 25 as the recent union between MLS and Apple bears fruit with the LA Galaxy facing off against their city rivals, LAFC<\/a> at the Rose Bowl. Now, instead it’ll be played on July 4, 2023. That game will witness a celebration of just how far soccer has come in the United States, with MLS Season Pass already being praised for its content. Likewise, they\u2019ll witness “opening day” coverage that will surely spare no expense for the that edition of El Tr\u00e1fico between the current MLS Cup champions and the team usually considered the jewel of MLS.<\/span><\/p>\n

Viewers will witness a jewel lacking luster<\/a>, though, as an incomplete Galaxy team is still trying to fill the missing pieces of its roster just two days from its opening match against FC Dallas on March 4. And while this should be a team that easily makes the playoffs thanks to stars like Riqui Puig and Javier \u201cChicharito\u201d Hern\u00e1ndez, off-field distractions like their own supporters boycotting them and a transfer ban, threaten distraction. Lack of depth means they are just an injury or two away from danger, but if Galaxy Head Coach and newly-minted Sporting Director Greg Vanney can get his last Designated Player signing right, an MLS Cup challenge isn\u2019t out of the question.<\/span><\/p>\n

2023 LA Galaxy Season Preview<\/h2>\n

Key Departures\/Arrivals: LA Galaxy Season Preview
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Key players out: Juli\u00e1n Araujo (Right-Back) FC Barcelona, Derrick Williams (Center Back) D.C. United, Cameron Dunbar (Right Winger) Minnesota United, Carlos Harvey (Defensive Midfielder) Phoenix Rising, Nick DePuy (Center Back) Nashville SC, Samuel Grandsir (Right Winger) AC Le Havre, V\u00edctor V\u00e1zquez (Attacking Midfield) Toronto FC, K\u00e9vin Cabral (Left Winger) Colorado Rapids<\/h4>\n

Vanney went into the off-season expecting that the core of his team would be returning for the season. Instead, Vanney can field almost an entire team of players who left. The unplanned departures of Samuel Grandsir and Julian Araujo were massive hits, with Araujo especially hard to replace because of his age, ability, and potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lompoc-born right-back made his dream move to FC Barcelona just days before the MLS season. And while the move is beautiful for Araujo, it presents a problem for the Galaxy as they\u2019ll look to match Araujo\u2019s production from other areas. Araujo led the Galaxy last year in assists (nine), completed passes into the opponent\u2019s box, completed crosses into the opponent\u2019s box, and was tied second for key passes and passes into the final third. On defense, the 21-year-old was usually one of the most dependable on the back line and his passion and energy for the badge are currently unmatched. Add the departures of defenders Depuy and Williams as well, and Galaxy fans could be looking at a brand-new back four this season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Out wide, Grandsir and his compatriot, Kevin Cabral vacated the wings in Los Angeles. Homegrown Right Winger Cameron Dunbar also left to get playing time in Minnesota and the rumor all off-season has been that Douglas Costa is on his way out too. If Costa does leave, LA will certainly suffer for lack of width. Even if he doesn’t, the Brazilian\u2019s recent injury will almost certainly keep him out of the Rose Bowl El Tr\u00e1fico. <\/span><\/p>\n

The team might lack leadership as well, with both veteran midfielders V\u00edctor V\u00e1zquez and Sacha Kljestan leaving LA. The latter will join Apple\u2019s coverage of the league, where his valuable insight will fill the airwaves instead of the Galaxy locker room. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The 21-year-old Mexican right-back Juli\u00e1n Araujo has landed in Barcelona and is ready to sign as a new Bar\u00e7a player on a three-and-a-half-year contract from LA Galaxy! \ud83d\udd34\ud83d\udd35\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd (Via @FabrizioRomano<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/f2jpRNA5D1<\/a><\/p>\n

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n