The regular season started in February and it took the Galaxy time to find their way.
Before Major League Soccer went into the World Cup break, the Galaxy had finally figured some things out, securing positive results in seven of their last nine games.
Then came the break.
“We were playing well at the time, I would say,” midfielder Marco Reus said. “It was nice to have a little break, but now we had almost four weeks of a second preseason. The first one or two weeks was just about to try to get the rhythm back, to get the connection back with each other. It was a bit frustrating that we didn’t have that many players in training in the last weeks, but we trained and, like I said, we are prepared.”
The Galaxy (5-5-5, 20 points) kicks off its second start of the 2026 season Friday in the first El Trafico against the Los Angeles Football Club (7-5-3, 24 points).
“It couldn’t be better to start this way, honestly,” Reus said. “A derby, rivalry, playing at home. I love these games. I think we are well prepared for this game. In these kind of games, it’s more about really how you’re going in mentally and like physically. It’s not a problem for us, so I’m really, really excited.
“It’s nice if you have a heated game. I mean it’s a lot on the table for both sides, nobody wants to lose, I’ve played in two (El Traficos), so it’s time for another win, I would say, to start the second season in a good way. That’s our goal.”
The Galaxy head into their restart with a different look. Gabriel Pec, Mauricio Cuevas and Matheus Nascimento have all departed since their last game – a 1-1 draw with Houston on May 23. The list of available players was so short for Saturday’s friendly against Club America that the Galaxy had to call up five players from their second team (Ventura County FC) and had an additional goalkeeper on the bench.
The transfer window opened Monday. The Galaxy figure to be busy and the first arrival landed Thursday with the signing of forward Robert Taylor, who scored 18 goals with 18 assists in three seasons with Inter Miami CF (2022-2025).
“He’s a guys that helps gives up some depth and quality, especially in the wing positions where we’ve been bit light at times and we’re a little light at the moment,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said.
Taylor was signed through the remainder of the 2026 season with an option for 2027. Taylor dealt with injuries in his previous stop with Austin FC, but said Wednesday that he’s fit and healthy. That’s a good thing because he’s stepping into a busy stretch for the Galaxy, who have three games in the next nine days.
“It’s a hell of a way to get started,” Vanney said. “The break was exciting, watching and following the best World Cup ever, in my opinion. I think it gives everybody the energy to get going again. Then you’re looking at the end of this, call it preseason, and you have LAFC right in front of you, which is the biggest rivalry, heated game that we’re going to get.
“It gives purpose, you know, and gives a certain kind of intensity. I thought the Club America game was great for us, it had some emotion in it and it had a good opponent across from us, who asked some questions for us too. I think all those things are really positive. We’re looking forward to playing, we’re looking forward to competing. I don’t know that either team will be the perfect version of themselves, coming off such a long break, but it won’t change the emotion and the competitive spirit that’s going to be in this game for the both the fans and the players and everybody else around it.”
The Galaxy needed some late-game magic to secure a pair of draws in the rivalry series last year. The Galaxy secured a 2-2 draw thanks to an 87th-minute Reus free kick at Dignity Health Sports Park. In the second meeting, the Galaxy trailed 2-0 and 3-1, but rallied for a 3-3 draw at BMO Stadium.
The Galaxy hold a slim 10-9-7 edge over LAFC heading into the 27th all-time meeting.
“The eyeballs are going to be all on this game, because it’s the first game back and we’re days off from the World Cup final, so people’s attention will still be inside the United States,” Vanney said. “It makes for an exciting moment.”
LAFC (7-5-3, 24 points) at GALAXY (5-5-5, 20 points)
When: 7:45 p.m. Friday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: FOX (Ch. 11), Apple TV