Know Your Foe: L.A. Galaxy

Welcome to May, also known as the biggest month in Austin FC’s short MLS history. For some in the national media, it’s “prove it” time for the Verde & Black after getting off to a rocket fast start. This month features five matches against four teams, all of which are currently sitting about the playoff line. The only team we play twice in that span just so happens to be today’s opponent, so let’s get to know the L.A. Galaxy.

LA. Galaxy Fast Facts

• MLS Debut: 1996
• Current Record: 5-3-1 (16 points)
• Finish Last Season: 8th West (48 points)
• Trophies: 12 (1 CONCACAF Champions Cup, 5 MLS Cups, 4 Supporters’ Shields, 2 U.S. Open Cups)
• Wooden Spoons: 0
• Names You May Know: Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Douglas Costa, Jorge Villafaña
• Famous Carson Folks: Demetrius Shipp Jr, Efrain Esquivias, Awesome Kong

What is Carson’s claim to fame?
Absolutely fucking nothing.

Why have the Galaxy been so successful?
A lot of their success came before the league’s hyper-growth. In fact, the Galaxy haven’t won a trophy since the league was at 19 teams. Since that 2014 MLS Cup win, here is where they have finished in the West: 5th, 3rd, 11th (last), 7th, 5th, 10th, and 8th.

And y’all, some of the names on those failing teams are really, really good. We’re Zlatan Ibrahimović, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Giovani dos Santos, Sebastian Lletget, Landon Donovan, and Chicharito! Basically what I’m telling you is that this club under-achieves a lot.

Is the Chris Pontius that once played for the Galaxy the same Chris Pontius from “Jackass”?
Unfortunately no. But damnit I would probably be a Carson fan if he broke out the Party Boy as a goal celebration.

Final Match Day Hate Rating:
It’s hard to say there’s much real hate here. Their fans are smug, sure, but that’s to be expected when you’re clinging to past glory like Al Bundy talking about his high school career at Polk High. I’ll let Inigo Montoya explain how I feel when Galaxy fans pipe up now about how relevant they are in today’s MLS.