Greg Vanney has urged his LA Galaxy staff to cope with being each MLS staff’s standout recreation of the season forward of dealing with the Vancouver Whitecaps this weekend.
Vanney watched on because the Galaxy kick-started their title defence with a shock 2-0 defeat to San Diego FC, who had been making their debut within the American top-flight.
The Galaxy, in fact, shall be assured of backing up their MLS Cup victory with one other sturdy displaying this marketing campaign, however Vanney stated his gamers should get used to the sensation of developing towards groups desirous to knock them off their perch.
“I imagine that the Galaxy are at all times going to get all people’s finest shot. Everyone needs to beat the Galaxy,” Vanney stated.
“And , due to the membership that it’s, that’s one thing you cope with on a regular basis. I believe being the champion, for positive.
Vanney additionally insisted that the loss to San Diego doesn’t have an effect on the potential of the staff, saying: “I’m not scared. I believe it’s including some new gamers.
“It’s the profiles of the gamers generally which can be on the market and ensuring we discover the best steadiness of men who can provide us some stretch and guys who’re trying between the strains.
“It’s one thing we’re going to be very conscious of to verify it doesn’t grow to be a behavior. It’s one thing we modify. It was one in every of my potential considerations of the day.”
Closing. pic.twitter.com/0WZcH5hFun
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 24, 2025
Vancouver, in the meantime, began their season with a powerful 4-1 win over 10-man Portland Timbers, who noticed Kamal Miller despatched off after simply 11 minutes.
Jesper Sorensen’s facet adopted that up with a 2-0 win over Costa Rican facet Deportivo Saprissa to ebook their place within the subsequent spherical of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
That victory was impressed by Brian White, who scored each objectives at BC Place in midweek. He additionally signed a contract extension with the Whitecaps that runs by till 2027.
Since becoming a member of Vancouver again in 2021, White has scored a franchise-record 57 objectives in 148 appearances throughout all competitions, and is able to cause them to success this yr.
“Vancouver has grow to be a second residence, and it’s particular to be part of this membership and this neighborhood,” stated White.
“The followers have at all times voiced their help, not just for myself however all the staff, and that motivates us to at all times attempt greater.
“We’ll proceed to push to make historical past collectively. I’ll proceed giving every little thing I can to deliver success to Vancouver.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver – Jayden Nelson
With a aim and three assists on Sunday, Nelson began the season in high quality kind for Vancouver and shall be eager to proceed that towards the Galaxy.
Certainly, he turned the fifth participant in MLS historical past to document 4 aim contributions in his staff’s season-opening match, together with Daniel Gazdag for Philadelphia Union in 2023, Brian Ching and Dwayne De Rosario for Houston Dynamo in 2006 and Jason Kreis for FC Dallas in 1999.
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
With final yr’s high scorer, Dejan Joveljic, departing for Sporting Kansas Metropolis, Pec shall be seeking to lead the road for the Galaxy of their quest for glory this season.
The Brazilian scored in every of the Galaxy’s final 4 street video games final season. Solely White for Vancouver between July and September 2024 has scored in 5 right away matches since 2020.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy received each conferences with Vancouver final season, together with a 3-1 win at BC Place in April. They’d managed only one win of their earlier seven towards the Whitecaps in all competitions (D2 L4).
However they opened their title defence with a 2-0 loss to growth facet San Diego, ending a run of 18 straight matches in all competitions with a aim. Solely two reigning champions in league historical past have misplaced their first two matches of a season (D.C. United in 2000 and Toronto FC in 2018).
The Whitecaps, in the meantime, turned simply the fifth staff in MLS historical past, and the primary for the reason that Columbus Crew at D.C. United in 2014, to win their season-opening match on the street by a margin of a minimum of three objectives.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver – 32.4%
Draw – 25.5%
LA Galaxy – 42.1%
