After a dismal 2023 campaign, LA Galaxy hope to rebound in 2024 to return to MLS Cup playoffs.

It was a season that many Galaxy fans were excited for after they were so close to reaching the Western Conference finals in 2022, falling 3-2 at the hands of their in-state rivals LAFC. But LA, in head coach Greg Vanney’s third season in charge, were winless through their first four games of the regular season as they dealt with injuries to key players throughout the season.

The Galaxy’s poor form continued for much of the season, as they went on to win just eight games, conceding 67 goals during the 34-game regular season. Vanney’s side were unable to turn things around near the end of the season, failing to pick up three points in their final six games of the campaign to finish in 13th place in the Western Conference.

But after a few key additions on the transfer market and players getting back to full strength, there’s hope that LA will return to relevancy again in 2024 with Vanney on the hot seat.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming season for the five-time MLS Cup winners.

The 2024 season will make or break Vanney’s tenure with LA, as he’s missed the postseason in two out of his three seasons in charge at Dignity Health Sports Park while amassing a 42W-29D-43L record since being appointed in January 2021.

Vanney has gone back and forth between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 setup, but his current roster is more suited to the latter formation. His team ranked in the top five in average possession during the regular season, and you can expect more of that after the addition of Gabriel Pec from Vasco da Gama and the returning presence of Puig.

Puig, Gaston Brugman, Marco Delgado and Edwin Cerrillo are all able to play their part in the middle of the park by waiting until an opportunity presents itself to make a decisive pass into the final third or open space. On the defensive end, the experienced Japanese duo of Maya Yoshida and Miki Yamane as well as the signing of goalkeeper John McCarthy from rivals LAFC should help shore up a backline that conceded far too many goals last term.

Miguel Berry, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta United, has scored just once over the past two seasons and probably won’t be the main target man that Vanney relies on up front, which is where Dejan Joveljic steps in with Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez’s departure. However, LA still need another forward if they are to enjoy a successful campaign — with depth out wide also required.

You can expect to see a Galaxy side that is able to play how Vanney wants them to this upcoming season, as a few key signings could provide the boost that the team was lacking last season.

LA Galaxy predicted XI (4-3-3): McCarthy; Yamane, Yoshida, Neal, Aude; Brugman, Puig, Cerrillo; Pec, Joveljic, Fagundez.

In his first full season in MLS, Riqui Puig established himself as not only one of the top midfielders but one of the best players the league has to offer. His seven goals and eight assists were nothing short of impressive, as he was pretty much a lone bright spot in the team at times.

His versatility makes him one of the best players on his day, as he’s capable of suiting up in a central midfield role, as an attacking midfielder and even as a striker if it comes down to it. When it’s all said and done, he just might go down as one of the best value signings for the Galaxy — after all, he joined LA on a free transfer from Barcelona.

One thing is for certain with Puig: If he’s on form, the Galaxy will always have a chance at winning.

Galaxy fans will be expecting a much-improved 2024 season after the team’s moves in the offseason. Even with little depth, the Galaxy should be able to cope during the season — but one big injury to someone like Puig or Pec leaves them with a glaring hole in their lineup that their depth can’t supplement right now.

However, LA have made the right moves to give themselves a chance at rising from the bottom of the Western Conference standings to finish in a postseason slot. It might not be as straightforward with the amount of pressure on Vanney to deliver this season, but the Galaxy should at minimum be a postseason team.

If the team can hit the ground running and steer clear or long-term injuries, LA could sneak into the top six of the West by the team the regular season comes to a close.

Will LA Galaxy qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? Yes