LA Galaxy drop fourth straight in 3-0 loss to St. Louis

CARSON, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy continues to make history. 

Just not the sort they will want.

After being defeated at home by St. Louis City 3-0 on Sunday, March 9, the Galaxy remains winless through four matches in all competitions in 2025 and becomes the first MLS Cup champion to lose their first three league matches in a row. The losing streak comes amidst a scoring drought, as LA has scored just once all season and is still waiting for their first goal at home.

"I mean, it's the worst start that we could have. We played four games, four losses. Conceded too many goals. We are not scoring so many goals. Just one," Midfielder Marco Reus said of the Galaxy’s struggles at the moment that see them occupy last place in the Western Conference.

“We have to find a solution and find the chemistry in our team to build the mentality of winning each game. At the moment, as I said, it's really frustrating.”

Signs of Life?

The champions showed signs of improvement early against St. Louis, with Gabriel Pec and Reus creating several good chances for the Galaxy. 

The German star was inches away from putting the Galaxy ahead after a well-worked play in the 23rd minute, only to see his shot hit the post and the rebound be put over the crossbar by first-time starter Harbor Miller. Pec, last year’s MLS Newcomer of the year, would have a chance on an empty net in the second half, only to shoot wide.

It was indicative of the kind of afternoon the Galaxy suffered through. 

Rather than capitalizing on their chances, LA was punished again for their mistakes and gave St. Louis a lifeline after not testing the Galaxy much in the opening exchanges. 

A miscue at the back between Captain Maya Yoshida and Goalkeeper Novak Mićović during a St. Louis corner kick allowed Winger Cedric Teuchert to pounce on a loose ball and give the visitors the lead just before halftime. Teuchert would take advantage of the Galaxy’s carelessness again just minutes into the second half by playing in Marcel Hartel off the LA turnover, who beat Yoshida for pace and Mićović at his near post for a two-goal lead.

Simon Becher would put the seal on the win for St. Louis with a cool finish off a give-and-go after driving into the heart of the Galaxy midfield. Becher’s goal prompted more than a few Galaxy fans to leave Dignity Health Sports Park before the final whistle, as a small chorus of boos rang out as well.

Goals Change Games

The result prompted LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney to lament what could have been if his players had been more clinical.

“We created enough chances to score three goals ourselves today, and we have zero. But we give them hope by giving them goals,” Vanney explained in a post-match press conference.  

Vanney pointed to St. Louis’s first goal as the turning point in the match. 

“They were suffering, and we throw kick the ball in our own goal, and it gives them a chance to breathe and to believe in something… They say goals change games. It changed the energy of the game. It changed the emotions of the game. I think that's the story of the game in some ways.”

As has been the story this season, the Galaxy will have little time to dwell on the loss. 

Los Angeles will host Costa Rican Champion Herediano on Wednesday, March 12, in the second leg of their Round of 16 Concacaf Champions Cup tie, where they hope to overcome a 1-0 away defeat.

Reus conceded that only a victory would be acceptable on Wednesday night, saying, “It's a must-win game. We have to score goals on Wednesday.”

“We need the good energy in the dressing room in the next days because we play on Wednesday and then on Sunday again. Things have to turn around.”

If the Galaxy can’t recover against Herediano, they’ll suffer their fifth straight defeat, third at home, and elimination from the Champions Cup, all in the span of 18 days.

Reus claimed that the Galaxy’s start was the “worst.” 

Another defeat on Wednesday just might prove him wrong.