LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy are an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Los Angeles area. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. The Galaxy began play in 1996 as one of the league's ten original teams and have become the league's most successful team.

Founded in 1994 and owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, the Galaxy originally played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Since 2003, their home has been Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The team has important rivalries, including the California Clásico with the San Jose Earthquakes and previously the SuperClasico with Chivas USA, which stopped existing in 2014. After that, a new rival, Los Angeles FC (LAFC), joined in 2018, creating another exciting match called "El Tráfico".

The Galaxy have won many big trophies, including a record six MLS Cups and eight Western Conference titles. In 2024, they won their sixth MLS Cup and scored the most goals ever in a playoff series with 18 goals. In 2007, they made news worldwide by signing famous English player David Beckham from Real Madrid. Other well-known players who have played for the Galaxy include Robbie Keane, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Marco Reus, Luis Hernández, and American star Landon Donovan, who is the club's top scorer of all time. In 2019, the club was valued at about $480 million, making it the second most valuable team in MLS.

History

Further information: Soccer in Los Angeles

Early years (1996–2000)

The LA Galaxy began in 1996 as one of the ten original teams in Major League Soccer. The team’s name, “Galaxy,” reflects Los Angeles’s fame as a home to famous people in Hollywood. They started in the league’s first season that same year.

In their first season, the Galaxy finished first in their group and reached the league’s first final but lost to D.C. United. Over the next few years, they kept working hard, reaching the playoffs several times but facing tough opponents like Dallas Burn and Chicago Fire.

First MLS Cup (2002)

In 2002, the Galaxy won their first big championship by defeating the New England Revolution in the final. They continued to compete strongly in the following years, winning another championship in 2005.

Beckham era (2007–2012)

In 2007, famous player David Beckham joined the team, bringing lots of excitement and attention. The Galaxy reached the final again in 2009 but lost. They kept working hard and won championships in 2011 and 2012.

First to five league championships (2013–2016)

The Galaxy achieved a big milestone by winning their fifth championship in 2014, becoming the first team in the league to do so. They added more talented players over the years, keeping their position as one of the top teams.

Wooden Spoon and rebuilding (2016–2023)

After some changes in the team’s leadership and players, the Galaxy faced difficult seasons. They finished last in 2017 but brought in new players like Zlatan Ibrahimović, who helped improve their performance. Despite some successes, they often missed the playoffs.

MLS Cup championship return (2023–present)

In 2023, the Galaxy made a strong comeback, winning their sixth championship by defeating the New York Red Bulls. Unfortunately, key player Riqui Puig was injured and missed the next season, causing the team to struggle again.

Colors and badge

The LA Galaxy's team colors are navy blue, gold, and white. Their main uniform is white, and their other uniform is blue. These colors were chosen in 2007 when a famous player, David Beckham, joined the team. Before that, the team used gold, teal green, and white with black details. Their first jersey in 1996 showed the colors of Los Angeles with black and teal halves and special designs.

The team has had two logos. The first logo, used before 2007, was gold, teal, and black with the team name over a golden swirl. In 2007, the logo changed to a blue shield with a gold border, showing the team name and a special design at the top. This design was inspired by an old symbol of Los Angeles County. The name "Galaxy" was created by the company Nike when the league started, and they were also the team's first uniform maker.

Club operations

The LA Galaxy made its first profit in 2003, becoming the first team in Major League Soccer to do so. After moving into the new Home Depot Center, the team saw more fans, double the money from sponsors, and extra money from parking and food sales.

A report from 2015 said the LA Galaxy was second in Major League Soccer for money made each year ($44 million) and value ($240 million). The team makes more money from sponsors ($14 million) and TV rights ($5 million) than any other team in the league. The Galaxy has the highest yearly income of any MLS team, the third highest in CONCACAF, and the seventh highest in all the Americas.

Kit sponsors

Stadium

From 1996 to 2002, the LA Galaxy played their home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The Rose Bowl could hold over 104,000 people at first, but this number was later reduced to about 93,000. Between 1999 and 2011, some important cup games were held at the 10,000-seat Titan Stadium at California State University, Fullerton. The Galaxy played 10 games there, including a big final game in 2001 that they won.

In 2003, the Galaxy moved to a new stadium called Dignity Health Sports Park, which was known by other names at different times. This stadium is located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, about ten miles south of downtown Los Angeles. It is a special stadium for soccer with 27,000 seats and has also been used for other sports like rugby and American football. From 2005 to 2014, the Galaxy shared this stadium with another team, Chivas USA.

Club culture

Cozmo

Cozmo is the mascot of the LA Galaxy. He has dark blue skin with yellow eyebrows and white eyes, matching the team's colors. He replaced an earlier mascot named Twizzle, who also looked like something from outer space but wore a space helmet and cape. Twizzle still appears sometimes at games to cheer for the team.

Galaxy Star squad

The Galaxy Star Squad is the team's official cheerleaders. They attend many Galaxy events, like autograph sessions, and are often seen around the stadium during games, giving away scarves and supporting the team.

Supporters

The Angel City Brigade started in 2007 to create a fun atmosphere at the Galaxy's home games. They were first in section 121 of the stadium.

The LA Riot Squad began after a loss in the 2001 MLS Cup, when a former Galaxy goalkeeper challenged fans to form a group of 100 supporters by the next season. They are now in sections 137 and 138.

Galaxians were the first supporter group, formed in 1996 during the Galaxy's first season. They were originally in section 124.

Galaxy Outlawz is a newer group that started in 2019. They join other supporter groups in a special area in the north end of the stadium.

Victoria Block is a new section built in 2020 for supporters only, replacing old bleachers in the north end. It is the new home for several supporter groups.

Ring of Honor

Rivalries

San Jose Earthquakes

Main article: California Clásico

The LA Galaxy have a long-standing rivalry with the San Jose Earthquakes, known as the California Clásico. This rivalry is one of the oldest and most intense in American soccer. It began when the league started and includes exciting matches in the playoffs and finals. Some people say this rivalry also comes from the friendly competition between Northern and Southern California.

Los Angeles FC

Main article: El Tráfico

When Los Angeles FC joined the league in 2018, a new rivalry began between the two Los Angeles teams. This rivalry, called "El Tráfico", has quickly become very exciting for fans. By 2022, the Galaxy had a record of 7 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses against LAFC, including playoff matches.

Chivas USA

Main article: SuperClasico

From 2005 to 2014, the Galaxy also had a rivalry with Chivas USA, which shared the same stadium. This rivalry was called the SuperClasico. During this time, the Galaxy won most of their matches against Chivas USA. This was the only time two teams shared the same stadium in the league until Chivas USA stopped playing in 2014.

Broadcasting

Since 2023, every LA Galaxy match can be watched using the Apple TV app through MLS Season Pass. Some matches are also shown on FOX Sports or FS1.

Before 2023, the Galaxy had a special deal with Time Warner Cable, now called Charter Spectrum, worth $55 million over ten years. This started after the 2012 MLS season. Before that, games were shown on local TV stations like Fox Sports West or Prime Ticket. In 2012, some games were on KDOC, and Spanish broadcasts were on KWHY.

Until 2023, ESPN+ showed most games for people outside the area, and some were on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC. Univisión, UniMás, and TUDN also showed games, and these could be watched on Twitter.

Since MLS Season Pass began in 2023, Joe Tutino has been the main radio announcer for all Galaxy games, and the radio broadcasts are available on the club’s website and social media pages.

Players and staff

For details on former players, see All-time Los Angeles Galaxy roster.

Roster

As of February 22, 2026

Note: Flags show which country's team a player can join, as decided by FIFA eligibility rules. Some players can belong to more than one country outside of these rules.

On loan

Note: Flags show which country's team a player can join, as decided by FIFA eligibility rules. Some players can belong to more than one country outside of these rules.

Technical staff

As of February 28, 2025

General managers

Head coaches

As of January 2022

Youth development

The LA Galaxy has teams for younger players to help them grow as soccer players. They have a team called LA Galaxy II that started in 2014. This team plays in a league called the USL. In 2024, the team moved part of its games to Thousand Oaks, California, and changed its name to Ventura County FC.

The Galaxy also has an academy where players aged 12 to 18 practice and play in special leagues. Some players from this academy have gone on to play for bigger teams. The Galaxy works with other youth clubs in Southern California, helping them use the Galaxy’s resources and programs. One of these clubs, LA Galaxy Orange County, even has a men’s team that plays in another league.

Honors

The LA Galaxy have earned several awards over the years. They received the MLS Fair Play Award in 2013 and the MLS Wooden Spoon in 2017.

The team has not officially retired any jersey numbers. There was a misunderstanding that the number 13, worn by former player Cobi Jones, was retired, but it was later given to Jermaine Jones in 2017.

Team results

Main article: List of LA Galaxy seasons

This is a short list of the last five seasons the LA Galaxy finished. For all the years the team has played, see List of LA Galaxy seasons.

**^**1. Avg. attendance includes numbers only from games in the league.
**^**2. Top goalscorer(s) counts all goals scored in League, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back Tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other important continental games.

International tournaments

Player awards

Statistical records

MLS regular season only, as of October 7, 2019

Some amazing records from the LA Galaxy include:

• Most games played: Cobi Jones, 392
• Most goals scored: Landon Donovan, 113
• Most assists: Landon Donovan, 107
• Most clean sheets (games without letting the other team score): Kevin Hartman, 64
• Most goals in one season: Zlatan Ibrahimović, 30

Top goalscorers

Player of the Year

Golden Boot

The Golden Boot is given to the player who scores the most goals by the end of the season. This award wasn’t given from 1996 to 2004. During those years, the MLS Scoring Champion Award counted both goals and assists.

Defender of the Year