Greg Vanney has urged his LA Galaxy team to deal with being every MLS team’s standout game of the season ahead of facing the Vancouver Whitecaps this weekend.
Vanney watched on as the Galaxy kick-started their title defence with a shock 2-0 defeat to San Diego FC, who were making their debut in the American top-flight.
The Galaxy, of course, will be confident of backing up their MLS Cup victory with another strong showing this campaign, but Vanney said his players must get used to the feeling of coming up against teams wanting to knock them off their perch.
“I believe that the Galaxy are always going to get everybody’s best shot. Everybody wants to beat the Galaxy,” Vanney said.
“And you know, because of the club that it is, that’s something you deal with all the time. I think being the champion, for sure.
Vanney also insisted that the loss to San Diego does not affect the potential of the team, saying: “I’m not scared. I think it’s adding some new players.
“It’s the profiles of the players sometimes that are out there and making sure we find the right balance of guys who can give us some stretch and guys who are looking between the lines.
“It’s something we’re going to be very mindful of to make sure it doesn’t become a habit. It’s something we adjust. It was one of my potential concerns of the day.”
Final. pic.twitter.com/0WZcH5hFun
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 24, 2025
Vancouver, meanwhile, started their season with an impressive 4-1 win over 10-man Portland Timbers, who saw Kamal Miller sent off after just 11 minutes.
Jesper Sorensen’s side followed that up with a 2-0 win over Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa to book their place in the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
That victory was inspired by Brian White, who scored both goals at BC Place in midweek. He also signed a contract extension with the Whitecaps that runs through until 2027.
Since joining Vancouver back in 2021, White has scored a franchise-record 57 goals in 148 appearances across all competitions, and is ready to lead them to success this year.
“Vancouver has become a second home, and it’s special to be a part of this club and this community,” said White.
“The fans have always voiced their support, not only for myself but the entire team, and that motivates us to always strive higher.
“We’ll continue to push to make history together. I will continue giving everything I can to bring success to Vancouver.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver – Jayden Nelson
With a goal and three assists on Sunday, Nelson started the season in fine form for Vancouver and will be keen to continue that against the Galaxy.
Indeed, he became the fifth player in MLS history to record four goal contributions in his team’s season-opening match, along 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 last year’s top scorer, Dejan Joveljic, departing for Sporting Kansas City, Pec will be looking to lead the line for the Galaxy in their quest for glory this season.
The Brazilian scored in each of the Galaxy’s last four road games last season. Only White for Vancouver between July and September 2024 has scored in five straight away matches since 2020.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy won both meetings with Vancouver last season, including a 3-1 win at BC Place in April. They had managed just one win in their previous seven against the Whitecaps in all competitions (D2 L4).
But they opened their title defence with a 2-0 loss to expansion side San Diego, ending a run of 18 straight matches in all competitions with a goal. Only two reigning champions in league history have lost their first two matches of a season (D.C. United in 2000 and Toronto FC in 2018).
The Whitecaps, meanwhile, became just the fifth team in MLS history, and the first since the Columbus Crew at D.C. United in 2014, to win their season-opening match on the road by a margin of at least three goals.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver – 32.4%
Draw – 25.5%
LA Galaxy – 42.1%
