How did these former LA Galaxy players do on Matchday #1 last weekend? | OneFootball

The Los Angeles Galaxy opened up their title defense on Sunday. They not only did so in a losing effort against San Diego FC, 2-0, there were also a few notable absences compared to last season.

Four former champions from the Los Angeles Galaxy are now with new teams. Almost immediately, the 2024 MLS Cup Finals MVP was traded to Nashville SC for Sean Davis. Recently, Davis has been placed on waivers establishing his exit from the team.

Gaston Brugman was not the only member of last year's championship team to be shipped. Young defender Jalen Neal joins the Eastern Conference as he now plays for CF Montreal.

Forward Dejan Joveljic and midfielder Marky Delgado were the other two stars sent off to play for other teams. These two, however, stayed within the MLS Western Conference.

But, how have they done so far with their new teams after Matchday #1?

The past two seasons, the Los Angeles Galaxy have enjoyed the benefit of scoring sensation, Joveljic, putting the team on the scoreboard. He had the only goal in back-to-back season openers for the six-time champions.

As we saw the LA Galaxy get shutout on Sunday in their first game of the season, so did Joveljic's new team. Sporting Kansas City lost 1-0 on the road against Austin FC.

Joveljic did not start the game. He came in at the 45th minute for William Agada. The Serbian forward committed two fouls and was issued a yellow card at the 85th minute of play.

Now, during the second game of the first round for the 2025 Concafac Champions tournament, Joveljic did get a pair of shots off on Tuesday. But he did not score against Inter Miami. Sporting Kansas City has been ousted from the tournament after losing twice to Lionel Messi and crew.

After spending the past three seasons playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Delgado didn't have to travel far to play for his new team in 2025. As one of the new members of LAFC, the veteran midfielder joins the potential Western Conference front-runner this year.

Delgado previously played for Chivas USA in addition to Toronto FC. He was a member of the 2017 MLS Cup winners along with former teammate Eriq Zavaleta and former head coach Greg Vanney. The three won another championship together back in December.

The 29-year-old player started in the 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC on Saturday to begin the 2025 MLS season. Delgado was a part of the Starting XI in both games of the Concafac Cup Tournament against the Colorado Rapids.

In the second game of the two, Delgado found the back of the net on one of his three shots on Tuesday night. LAFC now will play the Columbus Crew in the Round of 16. On Saturday, LAFC will host NYFC for their second game of the MLS regular season.

As for Brugman and Neal, neither former LA Galaxy champion has taken the field for their new team. Neither Nashville SC or CF Montreal plays against the Los Angeles Galaxy on the 34-game schedule. Both Joveljic and Delgado will get to see action against the defending champs twice each before the end of the season.