Just like before the 2024 season, the Galaxy will have a long offseason and it starts in less than 20 days.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the Galaxy – who have gone from MLS champions to last place – will soon embark on another important offseason as the work begins to forget about 2025.
With the Galaxy set to play at FC Dallas on Saturday, here is an early look at their roster:
The Designated Players will be together for at least another two seasons, with Joseph Paintsil and Riqui Puig signed through 2027. Gabriel Pec is signed through 2028. Puig has been sidelined all season after the star midfielder suffered a torn ACL in November’s Western Conference final.
Getting Puig back on the field will definitely be beneficial for Paintsil and especially Pec, as the forward saw his production fall off this season.
Matheus Nascimento arrived on loan from Botafogo. The big question is whether the club has seen enough to extend the loan or make it permanent. He has the makeup of the perfect forward for Vanney’s possession style and has showed flashes at time.
The club has an option for next year on Diego Fagundez’s contract. Fagundez has been an valuable and versatile piece to the roster, especially this season, since arriving in August 2023. One downside: He’s on a high salary ($1.25 million base). Could there be a path to buy that down?
Emiro Garces, who has battled through ankle injuries, is signed through 2028. He’s the fastest defender and is still developing into the center back spot. The upside continues to be extremely high. Marco Reus and Miki Yamane are signed through 2026. Yamane didn’t have the same level of season as last year. Reus has battled injuries, but when healthy the midfielder showed the quality that the club expected when he arrived last season.
John Nelson’s contract also contains a team option for 2026. It would be a shock if the defender’s option isn’t picked up. Steady and solid, that’s John Nelson.
Miguel Berry’s contract also is up after this season, but the club holds an option. Berry provides a good veteran presence, but heading into Saturday’s game, the forward hasn’t scored a goal this season.
Edwin Cerrillo has grown into the defensive midfield role. His contract is through 2026, with a club option for 2027. The same is true for goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. After sitting out all of 2024 following a major knee injury late in 2023, Marcinkowski made his debut last month. He could challenge for the starting spot next year.
Isaiah Parente’s contract ends this season, with a club option for next year. Solid midfielder at best.
Christian Ramirez scored four goals early, but fell off as the forward’s playing time diminished. His contract is up after this season.
It took some time, but midfielder Elijah Wynder finally settled in for the Galaxy. His contract is through 2027 with an option for 2028.
Veteran defenders Maya Yoshida and Zanka are signed through 2026.
Homegrown Player Mauricio Cuevas got a lot more playing time this season, displaying the talent that made the defender one of the rising Academy products before he departed for Belgium. His contract ends after this season, but the club holds options for 2026 and 2027.
The same goes for midfielder Tucker Lepley. When given time, no one works harder than Lepley. He’s on a low budget number, so it might work for him to stay, but he could find more time elsewhere.
Goalkeeper Novak Micovic showed flashes as well as inexperience in his first season as a starter. Vanney said at some point the young goalkeeper label has to go away. His contract ends after next season with an option for 2027.
Homegrown Players Harbor Miller and Ruben Ramos Jr. are signed through 2027 with options for 2028. Miller’s emergence has been the bright spot in a dismal year. His confidence as a defender is that of a player much older than 18. Ramos is in a crowded midfield, but offers a bit more attacking style than Wynder and Lucas Sanabria.
Speaking of Sanabria, like Wynder, he took some time to get acclimated as the club tried to find the perfect position for him. The midfielder had good moments and some bad. He’s signed through 2029.
Julian Aude is the other U22 Initiative signing. His contract is through 2027, but the defender has been mentioned as a target for South American clubs.
Chris Rindov initially joined the first team as a short-term loan from Ventura County FC and was soon signed to a first-team contract. He’s young, but carries a veteran presence on the backline. His contract is through 2026 with club options for 2027 and 2028.
Eriq Zavaleta doesn’t play much. He’s made just 24 appearances in four seasons. The defender makes less than $200,000. The team holds an option for 2026.
Third-string goalkeeper Brady Scott’s contract is also up, with the club holding an option. Scott earned his playing time down at Ventura County FC.
Gino Vivi, who returned from loan from Saprissa in the summer, has been at Ventura County FC. His contact expires this season with an option.
It is expected to a busy offseason. The first roster-building date is Nov. 26, the deadline for when clubs have to announce who is getting their options exercised or declined.
GALAXY at FC DALLAS
When: 1:30 p.m. PT Saturday
Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
How to watch: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)