CARSON, Calif. -- Under the golden California sun, a battle for supremacy has raged in the heart of Los Angeles. For nearly three decades, the LA Galaxy reigned as the undisputed kings of soccer in the City of Angels, a club synonymous with success, star power, and silverware. But in 2018, a new contender entered the fray: LAFC, the flashy upstart determined to carve out its own legacy in the city. With their sleek branding, star-studded roster, and immediate success, LAFC quickly became the darling of a new generation of Angelenos, challenging the Galaxy’s long-standing dominance.
For the Galaxy, the past few years have been turbulent. Once the league’s gold standard, they have watched their supremacy in Los Angeles dwindle. On the pitch, the rivalry tilted in LAFC’s favor, with the newer club claiming playoff victories and capturing their first MLS Cup in 2022. Off the pitch, LAFC’s Banc of California Stadium—now BMO Stadium—buzzed with a fervent fan base that seemed to overshadow the storied history of the Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park.
But in 2024, the Galaxy are writing a new book. With a record-breaking sixth MLS Cup in their coffers that has reaffirmed their identity, LA Galaxy have written a new history. This isn’t just about lifting another trophy—it’s about reasserting their dominance in Los Angeles, reclaiming their narrative, and proving that the City of Angels still belongs to the original kings of MLS.
A Rivalry Born of Competition and Contrasts
The arrival of LAFC shifted the dynamics of Major League Soccer in Southern California. For years, the Galaxy had been the league’s flagship club, boasting marquee signings like David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Their trophy cabinet gleamed with championships, and their fan base stretched across the city and beyond.
LAFC’s arrival changed everything. They brought a fresh energy and new identity to Los Angeles soccer. Their rapid rise, including playoff victories over the Galaxy, left many questioning whether the Galaxy could keep pace in this new era. The narrative was no longer about the Galaxy as the team to beat, but rather how they could reclaim their place atop the city’s hierarchy.
As LAFC thrived, the Galaxy struggled. A lack of consistency, poor signings, and internal turmoil plagued the team. Fan protests against leadership, most notably against former president Chris Klein, highlighted the growing dissatisfaction. The team missed playoffs, lost crucial matches, and seemed adrift as LAFC captured hearts and headlines.
The Turning Point: 2024 and the Dual Impact of Vanney and Kuntz
This season, however, has been a renaissance for the Galaxy, a transformation fueled by the dual leadership of head coach Greg Vanney and General Manager Will Kuntz. Vanney, a Galaxy original and MLS veteran, has instilled discipline, cohesion, and ambition in a squad that had been searching for an identity. His experience as a player, having suffered heartbreak in three MLS Cup Finals with the Galaxy, has fueled his determination to guide this team to glory.
Kuntz’s arrival in April 2023 as the club’s Senior Vice President of Player Personnel marked a turning point. Having previously worked as LAFC’s Senior Vice President of Soccer Operations and Assistant General Manager, Kuntz brought a wealth of experience and an intimate understanding of the Los Angeles soccer landscape. Promoted to General Manager in December 2023, Kuntz orchestrated a transformative offseason, bringing in key signings like Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, and Maya Yoshida, who have revitalized the squad and set the Galaxy on their path to the MLS Cup Final.
The synergy between Vanney’s tactical acumen and Kuntz’s player recruitment has been the backbone of the Galaxy’s resurgence. Together, they’ve not only built a team capable of competing but one that embodies the club’s storied legacy and ambitious future.
The Importance of a Sixth MLS Cup
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Galaxy players pose for a team photo after the 2014 MLS Cup final against the New England Revolution at Stubhub Center.
For the Galaxy, this season isn’t just about reclaiming a championship—it’s about reasserting their place as Major League Soccer’s most successful franchise. Their win on Saturday has made them the first club to achieve six MLS Cup titles, cementing their status as the league’s ultimate dynasty. It has also silenced critics who questioned their ability to compete in an era increasingly dominated by new clubs like LAFC.
Victory also serves as a symbolic reclaiming of Los Angeles. The Galaxy’s dominance in the city has been tested over the past six years, but this season has been a reminder of their resilience. From their unbeaten record at Dignity Health Sports Park to their league-leading attack, the Galaxy have shown they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
LA Galaxy vs. LAFC: A Narrative of Redemption
The narrative surrounding the Galaxy’s rivalry with LAFC has been one of redemption. While LAFC’s rise has been meteoric, the Galaxy have taken a longer path back to contention. This season has been about proving that longevity and legacy still matter in a league built on parity.
Key moments, like their dominant playoff performances and gritty victories, have underscored the Galaxy’s determination. Even in the face of adversity, such as the season-ending injury to star midfielder Riqui Puig, the team has adapted and thrived, showcasing their depth and versatility. With the last minute loss of first place in the Western Conference on Decision Day, the bitterness of that moment still lingers in their memories. The MLS Cup battle was a reckoning, and their 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls was the period on a season that was full of exclamation points.
A City’s Soccer Legacy on the Line
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; General view as fans cheer before the 2024 MLS Cup between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Los Angeles is a city of champions, from the Lakers to the Dodgers to USC’s football dynasty. Soccer is no different. The Galaxy’s legacy is woven into the fabric of LA sports, and this season has been about etching their place in that pantheon in the current generation. The Galaxy are a legacy club just like their often-celebrated older siblings, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
For Greg Vanney, for Will Kuntz, and for the thousands of fans who have stood by the club through thick and thin, Saturday the Galaxy have written a new narrative, reclaimed their city and reminded the world that the LA Galaxy are—and always will be—the rulers of Los Angeles soccer. The 2024 MLS Cup may as well be called the Redemption Cup for the team whose name was once synonymous with excellence.
As for their bitter rivalry with LAFC, the race to supremacy is on.