I'm less pessimistic about management than you guys. We're all guessing at how much money is out there - I've been optimistic - but it could be the other way. CoG said that they thought that Glenes was a mid-to-high TAM player so that basically eats up what we saved on Fagundez. Let's assume that Haak takes Zhanka's money. That basically leaves us with the new GAM, any GAM that we took this year for Jovelic (if that's a thing), the part of Cabral's salary we were still paying and then a little bit of money from other guys we cut. If Riqui were here, that money had to cover bonuses (probably small, fortunately and unfortunately), a minor player or two that we might add and then fixing the forward position. I have no idea what that number is, but maybe it pays for a forward in the 600-800k range, which is OK quality , but not that great for a forward. Or we trade in Nacimento for a new U-22, but who know what's available in the winter, and they're going to take time to adapt. Now, with Riqui out, we're in a dilemma. As others have said, a DP quality playmaker is going to want a multiyear contract, which means that we would be stuck with two DPs as playmaker in 2027, which is not something we want. I've argued here that the solution is to use the DP position for a forward and then the 600-800k (hypothetically) to get a backup playmaker. My ideal pattern for spending in general is a DP forward, a DP playmaker and one DP attacking winger and that's what we would have in 2027 (with Paintsil or Pec sold). The problem is that we were not thinking about a DP forward and a mid-salaried playmaker at all, and this kind of money involves negotiations that take time. Maybe Sargent would be the answer - I like the idea - but it's hard to go from 0 to 70 on a player that will cost $20 million and who we likely haven't even talked to. It's been said that the key to being successful in MLS is picking the right DPs and keeping them healthy. We just ended up with bad luck.
I did a quick check and the main ownership has no ties with the Dodgers but a lot of the minority share holders have Dodger and Lakers ties, so I would definitely rule out the Galaxy being taken over by any of those investors, the only scenario I see is if the ownership group has a huge blow up and some of them decide to buy the Galaxy out of spite. I really wonder what is going to become of the Galaxy and Kings when Uncle Phil is no longer around, especially since I've seen rumors of the San Diego Padres being sold and the investors looking to buy may explore moving the team (I hope not) and the Chicago Bears being courted by Indiana to move to their state for a shiny new stadium.
Interesting (and unfortunate) story about Bradley Cross, a former South African youth national team player (and former Newcastle and Schalke youth player) who apparently came out to trial with the Galaxy and then injured his knee on the first day of training and was sent back home. He's a left back and probably was a candidate for VCFC unless the Galaxy were considering shipping out one of Nelson or Aude. In this episode of Diski Dads, Bradley Cross’ father, Paul Cross, opens up on what really happened and why his son’s trial at LA Galaxy ultimately fell through.Full show: https://t.co/FrZpfpxwxp pic.twitter.com/7Iqcd5MuVQ— Soccer Laduma (@Soccer_Laduma) January 16, 2026
I think this is a good take, especially the part about balancing the DPs. I think we got a little lucky to have 4-DP caliber players in 2024 in Paintsil, Pec, Puig and Jovelic (fodder for the "Vanney's a hack" crowd). But moving forward, I agree with your take about selling one the wingers (I feel Pec would probably be easier to move) and acquiring a DP striker. I also think we should splurge on a name at that position, but obviously performance is the top priority.
Catching up. Was all excited to start the season and CCC and saw the news on Puig. You guys have mourned and now here I am. This sucks. Need Pec and Paintsil to step up big time.
Preseason beach day 🏖️ pic.twitter.com/LaoCdgibaa— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) January 18, 2026 some of this needs the Top Gun Maverick and Goose “playing with the boys” soundtrack.
I immediately thought of the second Top Gun movie where Maverick “builds his team” on the beach. John Hamm wasn’t pleased.
On the Galaxy IG “story” there is footage of Pec on the beach so he has arrrived. hopefully this week we get some quotes from FO or Vanney on how they plan to address Riqui’s hole in the lineup.
Our roster updated with the latest rumored moves (Nasci come back, Zanka out) : GK : Micovic, Marcinkowski, Scott. RB : Yamane, Cuevas, Miller. CB : Glesnes, Garcés, Yoshida, Rindov, Essengue. LB : Nelson, Aude. DM : Haak, Cerrillo. CM : Wynder, Sanabria, Parente. AM : Reus, Lepley. RW : Gabriel Pec. LW : Paintsil, Vivi. FW : Nascimento, Ramirez, Ramos Jr. That's 26 players. I could see a couple of HG moves : Dylan Vanney (CAM) deserves a first team contract and with the unknown around Riqui Puig, it's a body here. Maybe Magana (CB) and Dalgado (LB) will get full time first team contracts too. We're weak on the wings behind our DPs but it's OK to not spend much behind DPs, and both Cuevas and Miller can play there. There are some huge question marks, especially the striker position but reinforcements will probably come in the summer, but also Wynder/Sanabria and the GK position. But after all, the truth is we don't have much work left in terms of number of signings : we have to replace Riqui Puig, probably with a DP (Gio Reyna on loan anybody ?), and we're not allowed to go wrong on this one but after this signing, I guess our roster is pretty much set.
The only thing I’d add to that excellent summary is that both Cuevas and Miller (listed as right backs) have shown the ability to be effective at both left and right wing last year. It makes me feel a bit better about our wing depth. edit- I’m sorry, you did mention that. Doh.
A name we haven't heard in a long time is Diego Fagundez. Best MLS free agents have quickly signed with other teams (Espinoza, Benteke, Zimmerman, Haak, St. Clair, Lod...), second-string free agents are currently finding contracts (Larraz, Dotson, Voloder, Rios...), and all we hear with Diego are crickets. Maybe it's a good sign towards a Diego re-signing. We probably made a low offer to him and he decided to test the waters on the free agent market. Maybe it's been disappointing so far, and I would say time is on Galaxy's side on this one. I would welcome Diego at a friendly deal. Excellent locker room presence, experienced, and can cover multiple positions where we're weak.
Don't hold your breath for a public announcement. We have no clue whether Uncle Phil loosened up the purse strings either with the money from the sales of Dejan and Perez or new funds. They may just decide to wait for the summer signing window.
Well, at some point they will be interviewed and they will be asked about the loss of Riqui, and then they will say something. And from whatever they say, we’ll be able to figure out what the reality is.
For what it's worth I think there is a picture of Ascel Essengue in one of the photos Dylan Vanney posted on his Instagram page where several Academy/VCFC players are running on the track. Essengue was on loan to Phoenix Rising last season and by all accounts did well. If he is staying, it will be interesting to see what the Galaxy do with him. Not sure another season in MLSNP will do him much good after playing in USL-Championship a level up and against older players most of last year. On the other hand, he would be the 5th choice CB right now, so I don't know when he would get senior minutes unless we're going to 3 in the back (and @LEM-LAG's predicted depth chart doesn't include the possibility that Haak, Aude, Nelson or Yamane could be CBs in a 3 back formation). One interesting positional note on Essengue is that although he started and played the full 90 at CB in most of his games with Phoenix Rising, he is listed as starting and playing at RM in his last three games, including two playoff games in USLC (and a full 120 in a QF loss in extra time in the second OT period). Not sure if they were playing wingbacks or he was actually playing in midfield, but that would be interesting. I think he came up in the Academy at midfield, but it's been awhile since he was there regularly.
I expect Essengue and Vivi (unless he now has a green card) will be loaned somewhere, whether VCFC or elsewhere, freeing up 2 more roster spots.
I saw a few Rising games live last year. I find it really hard to say what anybody's skill level is because the level of play in USL is so bad. Then again, any actual technical skill would be immediately crushed by sloppy and violent tackles.
Just my uninformed two cents, but it seems like due to either tight purse strings or a genuine belief that the Galaxy are better waiting until the summer transfer window that the team will be staying pat with the Roster and possible additions Lem-Lag outlined above. If so, I am curious, as to whom, the board thinks would be the better back-up to Reus (as he seems the most unlikely to be need relief, both at the 60 minute mark when healthy and as a starter due to either injury or schedule congestion): Lepley, Dylan Vanney or possibly Diego Fagundez. FWIW, in the games Diego Fagundez started at the Attacking Mid position (per TransferMarkt), in the better 2nd half of the season, the Galaxy went 3W-3L-3D with him. He had 0g-2a in those 9 games (I know there are gaps in Transfermarkts stats, but they are the best I could easily find). Lepley had 0g-1a in his 551 minutes in all positions and no starts at the AM position. Obviously, there are no MLS stats for Dylan and from what I can see in TransferMarkt he played all over the field for VCFC in 2025.
I think Wynder might be seen as an attacking center mid? Obviously different then Reus but I expect him to get a look given how his season ended on a high. Galaxy has closed door friendly vs Portland on 1/23 at 11am, 1/31 vs DC united at 11am, and 2/4 vs Orange County at 11am before heading to CVI. maybe I’ll get my hot air balloon and binoculars out and see who’s playing the 10.
Lepley is the player most comfortable with the ball at his feet and seeing the pass. Wynder is more of a physical fast midfielder who can make the late run into the box to receive a pass. Both are a big step down from Reus as offensive options. Losing Riqui this close to the start of the season is a massive blow (says Captain Obvious).
And while I think giving Dylan V a senior contract this year is a great move, I don’t think we can count on a 17-year old to do much of anything this year as an AM.
Riqui posted some rehab and other photos on his instagram page. He's got a long road ahead of him. At least his cute nephew is there to keep him company.