The Los Angeles Galaxy reached a new low point on Saturday, suffering a heavy 7-0 defeat against the New York Red Bulls. This result cemented their status as the defending MLS Cup champions with the worst start in league history, having failed to secure a single victory in their first 12 games. The humiliating loss, a rematch of the 2024 MLS Cup final won by the Galaxy, highlighted their dramatic decline. The Red Bulls` seven-goal margin equaled the largest ever in a rematch and marked only the second time in their history they had scored seven goals, the first since 2016.
Through 12 matches this season, the Galaxy find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They have conceded a league-high 28 goals and have also scored the second-fewest in MLS with just eight. Matters could scarcely be worse for Gregg Vanney`s squad.
While the absence of star midfielder Riqui Puig due to an ACL injury at the season`s start anticipated some challenges, the presence of talents like Marco Reus, Gabriel Pec, and Joseph Paintsil meant goalscoring was not expected to be a major problem. Given MLS`s salary cap structure, roster changes after a championship win are common and can weaken a team. However, the Galaxy`s struggles extend beyond this; their expected goals (xG) figure of just 12.93 suggests they are not even generating significant scoring opportunities.
Here`s a look at how other defending champions in major US sports leagues have fared with poor starts:
NFL: Los Angeles Rams (2022-23)
Following their Super Bowl victory in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams also experienced a difficult start, recording a 3-6 record. After winning two of their first three games, they entered a significant slump, ultimately finishing the season with just five wins, missing the playoffs, and placing third in the NFC West. Quarterback Matthew Stafford played only nine games that season due to injury. While their start was jointly the worst for a reigning NFL champion, it wasn`t as dire as the Galaxy`s current predicament.
MLB: Florida Marlins (1998)
In Major League Baseball, the dubious distinction for the worst start by a defending champion belongs to the 1998 Florida Marlins (now the Miami Marlins). After winning the World Series in 1997, the team traded star outfielder Moises Alou and commenced the subsequent season with a 1-9 record. They finished the year with a dismal 54-108 record.
Adrian Whitmore