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LA Galaxy

Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience

Famous soccer player David Beckham smiling before a charity game in 2007.

The LA Galaxy are an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Los Angeles area. They play in Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of the Western Conference. The Galaxy started playing in 1996 and are one of the league's original teams.

Founded in 1994 and owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, the Galaxy first played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Since 2003, their home has been Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The team has important rivalries, including the California Clásico with the San Jose Earthquakes. In 2018, a new rival, Los Angeles FC (LAFC), joined, creating another exciting match called "El Tráfico".

The Galaxy have won many big trophies, including a record six MLS Cups and eight Western Conference titles. In 2007, they signed famous English player David Beckham from Real Madrid. Other well-known players who have played for the Galaxy include Robbie Keane, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Marco Reus, Luis Hernández, and American star Landon Donovan, who is the club's top scorer of all time.

History

Further information: Soccer in Los Angeles

Early years (1996–2000)

Cobi Jones, who played for the club from their inaugural season until his retirement in 2007

The LA Galaxy started in 1996 as one of the first teams in Major League Soccer. The team’s name, “Galaxy,” comes from Los Angeles’s fame as a home to famous people in Hollywood. They began playing in the league’s first season that same year.

In their first season, the Galaxy finished first in their group but lost the final to D.C. United. Over the next few years, they played in the playoffs many times but faced strong teams like Dallas Burn and Chicago Fire.

David Beckham with the Galaxy in 2007

First MLS Cup (2002)

In 2002, the Galaxy won their first big title by beating the New England Revolution in the final. They kept playing well and won another title in 2005.

Beckham era (2007–2012)

In 2007, famous player David Beckham joined the team, bringing excitement and attention. The Galaxy reached the final again in 2009 but lost. They worked hard and won titles in 2011 and 2012.

First to five league championships (2013–2016)

The Galaxy reached a big milestone by winning their fifth title in 2014, becoming the first team in the league to do so. They added more talented players and stayed among the top teams.

Wooden Spoon and rebuilding (2016–2023)

After some changes in the team’s leaders and players, the Galaxy had hard times. They finished last in 2017 but brought in new players like Zlatan Ibrahimović, who helped them play better. Even with some wins, they often did not make the playoffs.

MLS Cup championship return (2023–present)

In 2023, the Galaxy came back strong, winning their sixth title by beating the New York Red Bulls. However, key player Riqui Puig was injured and missed the next season, making it hard for the team.

Colors and badge

The LA Galaxy's team colors are navy blue, gold, and white. Their main uniform is white, and their other uniform is blue. These colors were chosen in 2007 when a famous player, David Beckham, joined the team. Before that, the team used gold, teal green, and white with black details. Their first jersey in 1996 showed the colors of Los Angeles with black and teal halves and special designs.

The team has had two logos. The first logo, used before 2007, was gold, teal, and black with the team name over a golden swirl. In 2007, the logo changed to a blue shield with a gold border, showing the team name and a special design at the top. This design was inspired by an old symbol of Los Angeles County. The name "Galaxy" was created by the company Nike when the league started, and they were also the team's first uniform maker.

Club operations

The LA Galaxy made its first profit in 2003, becoming the first team in Major League Soccer to do so. After moving into the new Home Depot Center, the team saw more fans and more money from sponsors, parking, and food sales.

A report from 2015 said the LA Galaxy was second in Major League Soccer for money made each year and value. The team makes more money from sponsors and TV rights than any other team in the league. The Galaxy has the highest yearly income of any MLS team.

Kit sponsors

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsorSleeve sponsors
1996–2002Nike
2003–2005Budweiser
2006–2007Adidas
2007–2020Herbalife
2021Honey
Herbalife
2022–2024Honey
2025–presentRBC

Stadium

From 1996 to 2002, the LA Galaxy played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The Rose Bowl could hold many people. Between 1999 and 2011, some big games were at the Titan Stadium at California State University, Fullerton. The Galaxy played 10 games there.

In 2003, the Galaxy moved to a new stadium called Dignity Health Sports Park. This stadium is on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson. It has 27,000 seats and is used for soccer and other sports. From 2005 to 2014, the Galaxy shared this stadium with another team, Chivas USA.

Club culture

Cozmo

Cozmo is the mascot of the LA Galaxy. He has dark blue skin with yellow eyebrows and white eyes, matching the team's colors. He replaced an earlier mascot named Twizzle. Twizzle still appears sometimes at games to cheer for the team.

Galaxy Star squad

The Galaxy Star Squad is the team's official cheerleaders. They attend many Galaxy events and are often seen around the stadium during games, supporting the team.

Supporters

The Angel City Brigade started in 2007 to make games fun. They were first in section 121 of the stadium.

The LA Riot Squad began after a loss in 2001. They are now in sections 137 and 138.

Galaxians were the first supporter group, formed in 1996. They were originally in section 124.

Galaxy Outlawz is a newer group that started in 2019.

Victoria Block is a new section built in 2020 for supporters only. It is the new home for several supporter groups.

Ring of Honor

TenureName
2002–2006Doug Hamilton
1996–2003Mauricio Cienfuegos
2007–2012David Beckham
2005–2014
2016
Landon Donovan

Rivalries

San Jose Earthquakes

Main article: California Clásico

The LA Galaxy have a long rivalry with the San Jose Earthquakes, called the California Clásico. This rivalry is one of the oldest in American soccer. It began when the league started and has had exciting matches.

Los Angeles FC

Main article: El Tráfico

When Los Angeles FC joined the league in 2018, a new rivalry began between the two Los Angeles teams. This rivalry is called "El Tráfico" and is exciting for fans.

Chivas USA

Main article: SuperClasico

From 2005 to 2014, the Galaxy had a rivalry with Chivas USA, sharing the same stadium. This rivalry was called the SuperClasico. The Galaxy won most of their matches against Chivas USA. This was the only time two teams shared the same stadium until Chivas USA stopped playing in 2014.

Broadcasting

Since 2023, every LA Galaxy match can be watched using the Apple TV app through MLS Season Pass. Some matches are also shown on FOX Sports or FS1.

Before 2023, the Galaxy had a special deal with Time Warner Cable, now called Charter Spectrum. Before that, games were shown on local TV stations like Fox Sports West or Prime Ticket. In 2012, some games were on KDOC, and Spanish broadcasts were on KWHY.

Until 2023, ESPN+ showed most games for people outside the area, and some were on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC. Univisión, UniMás, and TUDN also showed games.

Since MLS Season Pass began in 2023, Joe Tutino has been the main radio announcer for all Galaxy games. The radio broadcasts are available on the club’s website and social media pages.

Players and staff

For details on former players, see All-time Los Angeles Galaxy roster.

Roster

As of February 22, 2026

Note: Flags show which country's team a player can join, as decided by FIFA eligibility rules.

On loan

Note: Flags show which country's team a player can join, as decided by FIFA eligibility rules.

Technical staff

As of February 28, 2025

General managers

Head coaches

As of January 2022

No.Pos.NationPlayer
21FW USATucker Lepley (on loan to Oakland Roots)
30MF CRCGino Vivi (on loan to Tampa Bay Rowdies)
51DF CMRAscel Essengue (on loan to Loudoun United)
RoleNameNation
General managerWill Kuntz United States
Technical directorMikkel Dencher Denmark
Sr. Director, Player personnel & complianceGordon Klještan United States
Personnel specialistOliver Curry United States
Senior advisor to the general managerJuninho Brazil
Head coachGreg Vanney United States
Assistant coachDan Calichman United States
Assistant coachNick Theslof United States
Assistant coachJason Bent Canada
Goalkeeper coachKevin Hartman United States
Assistant coach and director of video analysisSam Green England
Director, Cognitive performanceMichael Rabasca United States
Head coach, Ventura County FCMatthew Taylor United States
Assistant coach, Ventura County FCAlex Yi United States
Goalkeeper coach, Ventura County FCIan Feuer United States
Video analyst, Ventura County FCGrant Heywood England
Performance coach, Ventura County FCLuke Garcia Canada
Director, development and methodologyMike Muñoz United States
U-17 coach and director of IDPsShaun Tsakiris United States
U-14 coachJay Gomez United States
U-13 coachSam Al-Basith England
LA Galaxy U15 head coachJean-Pierre Mujica Peru
Head of academy goalkeeper coachJonathyn Lomeli United States
Director, high performance & innovationJim Liston United States
Assistant coach, performance & sports scienceTom Williams Wales
Head strength & conditioning coachAdam Waterson Australia
Strength & conditioning coach, LA Galaxy IIKendrick Watson Costa Rica
Head of academy performance coachCarlos Gomez Mexico
Sports performance dietitianErica Capellino United States
Sports performance dietitianAshley Porterfield United States
Director, sports medicineBrian Lee United States
Head athletic trainerCesar Roldán United States
Athletic trainer, First teamJulie Beveridge United States
Head athletic trainer, LA Galaxy IIJulius Murphy United States
Head athletic trainer, LA Galaxy AcademyMadison Schultze United States
Athletic trainer, LA Galaxy AcademyKathia Aquino United States
Team chiropractor and scar tissue specialistShunta Shimizu United States
Rehab specialistLuciano Tavares Brazil
Sr. Manager, team operationsZack Murshedi United States
Manager, team operations, LA Galaxy IIChris Howe England
Coordinator, team administrationAlexander Moreno United States
Head equipment managerRaul Vargas Mexico
Equipment managerJose Vargas Mexico
Equipment assistantJose Vega El Salvador
Equipment manager, LA Galaxy IIBryan Gonzalez United States
Equipment manager, LA Galaxy AcademyTony Hernandez United States
Director, EducationNyssa Tsakiris United States
Academic learning advisorBrian Irvin United States
Academic learning advisorTeresa Villareal United States
Team orthopedistBert Mandelbaum United States
Chief medical officer, Primary care physicianJosh Scott United States
Team neuropsychologistDave Lechuga United States
Team dentistDr. Iman Abdeshahian  Switzerland
Team chiropractorsGeorge Billauer United States
Team ophthalmologistRom Kandavel United States
Team podiatristHoward Liebeskind United States
TenureName
1994–1998Danny Villanueva
1999–2000Sergio del Prado
2000–2001Tim Luce
2002–2006Doug Hamilton
2006–2008Alexi Lalas
2008–2016Bruce Arena
2016–2017Peter Vagenas
2017–2018Sigi Schmid
2018–2021Dennis te Kloese
2024-Will Kuntz
TenureNameNation
1996 – June 10, 1997Lothar Osiander United States
June 10, 1997 – April 23, 1999Octavio Zambrano Ecuador
April 22, 1999 – August 16, 2004Sigi Schmid Germany
August 18, 2004 – June 6, 2006Steve Sampson United States
June 7, 2006 – November 5, 2007Frank Yallop Canada
November 9, 2007 – August 11, 2008Ruud Gullit Netherlands
August 11, 2008 – August 18, 2008Cobi Jones (interim) United States
August 18, 2008 – November 22, 2016Bruce Arena United States
December 13, 2016 – July 27, 2017Curt Onalfo United States
July 27, 2017 – September 10, 2018Sigi Schmid Germany
September 10, 2018 – December 28, 2018Dominic Kinnear (interim) United States
January 2, 2019 – October 29, 2020Guillermo Barros Schelotto Argentina
October 29, 2020 – November 8, 2020Dominic Kinnear (interim) United States
January 5, 2021 – presentGreg Vanney United States

Youth development

The LA Galaxy has teams for younger players to help them grow as soccer players. They have a team called LA Galaxy II that started in 2014. This team plays in a league called the USL. In 2024, the team moved part of its games to Thousand Oaks, California, and changed its name to Ventura County FC.

The Galaxy also has an academy where players aged 12 to 18 practice and play in special leagues. Some players from this academy have gone on to play for bigger teams. The Galaxy works with other youth clubs in Southern California, helping them use the Galaxy’s resources and programs. One of these clubs, LA Galaxy Orange County, has a men’s team that plays in another league.

Honors

The LA Galaxy have won several awards. They got the MLS Fair Play Award in 2013 and the MLS Wooden Spoon in 2017.

The team has not retired any jersey numbers. Some thought the number 13, worn by former player Cobi Jones, was retired, but it was later worn by Jermaine Jones in 2017.

Team results

Main article: List of LA Galaxy seasons

This is a short list of the last five seasons the LA Galaxy finished. For all the years the team has played, see List of LA Galaxy seasons.

**^**1. Avg. attendance includes numbers only from games in the league.
**^**2. Top goalscorer(s) counts all goals scored in League, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back Tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other important continental games.

International tournaments

SeasonLeaguePositionPlayoffsUSOCContinental / OtherAverage
attendance
Top goalscorer(s)
DivLeaguePldWLDGFGAGDPtsPPGConf.OverallName(s)Goals
20211MLS34131295054–4481.418th15thDNQNHLeagues CupDNQ14,849Mexico Javier Hernández17
202234141285851+7501.474th8thQFQFLeagues CupDNQ22,841Mexico Javier Hernández18
202334814235167–16361.0613th26thDNQQFLeagues CupGS24,106United States Tyler BoydSpain Riqui Puig7
20243419876950+19641.882nd4thWDNELeagues CupRo3226,136Serbia Dejan Joveljić19
20253479184666–20300.8814th26thDNQDNELeagues CupCONCACAF Champions Cup3rdQF20,067Ghana Joseph Paintsil9

Player awards

Statistical records

MLS regular season only, as of October 7, 2019

Some great records from the LA Galaxy include:

Top goalscorers

Player of the Year

Golden Boot

The Golden Boot is given to the player who scores the most goals by the end of the season. This award wasn’t given from 1996 to 2004. During those years, the MLS Scoring Champion Award counted both goals and assists.

Defender of the Year

No.NationNameCareerMLSPlay­offsOpen CupCont­inentalTotal (Apps)Average
1 United StatesLandon Donovan2005–2014, 20161131567141 (317)0.44
2 Republic of IrelandRobbie Keane2011–201683939104 (165)0.63
3 United StatesCobi Jones1996–200770642082 (392)0.21
4 GuatemalaCarlos Ruiz2002–2004, 2008511161069 (104)0.66
5 SwedenZlatan Ibrahimović2018–201952100053 0(58)0.91
6 United StatesEdson Buddle2007–2010, 2012, 201545200047 (144)0.33
7 El SalvadorMauricio Cienfuegos1996–200335721045 (269)0.17
8 SerbiaDejan Joveljić2021–20243473044 (122)0.36
9 United StatesAlan Gordon2005–2010, 2014–201629148042 (203)0.21
10 United StatesGyasi Zardes2013–201734231040 (154)0.26
YearNationPlayerGoals
2002 GuatemalaCarlos Ruiz24
2005 United StatesLandon Donovan12
2006 United StatesLandon Donovan12
2007 United StatesLandon Donovan8
2008 United StatesLandon Donovan20
2009 United StatesLandon Donovan12
2010 United StatesEdson Buddle17
2011 United StatesLandon Donovan12
2012 Republic of IrelandRobbie Keane16
2013 Republic of IrelandRobbie Keane16
2014 Republic of IrelandRobbie Keane19
2015 Republic of IrelandRobbie Keane20
2016 MexicoGiovani dos Santos14
2017 FranceRomain Alessandrini13
2018 SwedenZlatan Ibrahimović22
2019 SwedenZlatan Ibrahimović30
2020 ArgentinaCristian Pavón10
2021 MexicoJavier Hernández17
2022 MexicoJavier Hernández18
2023 United States
 Spain
Tyler Boyd
Riqui Puig
7
2024 BrazilGabriel Pec16

Images

A close-up of an LA Galaxy soccer team jersey sleeve.
A soccer team uniform design for the LA Galaxy, featuring the team's colors and logo.
A close-up of an LA Galaxy soccer team sleeve design.
LA Galaxy football team shorts design.
Design of an LA Galaxy soccer team sleeve.
Design of the LA Galaxy football team jersey for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons.
A close-up of an LA Galaxy soccer team sleeve design.
LA Galaxy team socks design
Design of a soccer team sleeve showing team colors and details.
A design of a soccer team jersey from LA Galaxy for the 2024–25 season.
A close-up of a soccer team sleeve design, showcasing the team's colors and logo.
Football shorts from a soccer team uniform.
Football socks from an Adidas design, perfect for young soccer fans!

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on LA Galaxy, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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