LA Galaxy defender gets loaned out after just games with the team | OneFootball

One of the many aggressive moves LA Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz made was signing a young internationa talent to strength the defense. With the loss of Jalen Neal to CF Montreal via trade, at least one open was made available.

The defending champions were expecting success to roll over into the new season after a historic 2024 MLS postseason that saw the Los Angeles Galaxy hoist a sixth championship title.

A native of Cameroon, Ascel Essengue was loaned out to Phoenix Rising FC of the USL Championship. The young defender joined the LA Galaxy first team this year.

Is this a good or bad move by the Los Angeles Galaxy?

When fully healthy, the LA Galaxy has gone with John Nelson, Maya Yoshida, Carlos Garces and Miki Yamane on the defensive line. Eriq Zavaleta, Mathias Jorgensen, and Julian Aude are also on the depth chart.

Mauricio Cuevas and teenage sensation Harbor Miller have also made appearances for the LA Galaxy's first team this season. Unfortunately for the six-time MLS Cup winners, not only are they winless, but they also have allowed 21 goals this season. That's tied for the most with their last opponent, Sporting Kansas City, for the worst in the MLS Western Conference.

According to the Los Angeles Galaxy's team site, "Essengue, 22, has recorded five goals in 79 appearances (66 starts) across all competitions with the LA Galaxy's second team (LA Galaxy II, Ventura County FC) in the USL Championship (2021-22) and MLS NEXT Pro (2023-24)."

Essengue's last MLS game for the LA Galaxy was a month ago against Real Salt Lake. The LA Galaxy lost 2-0 on the road. Just like the Los Angeles Galaxy, Phoenix Rising FC is towards the bottom of the standings, too.

The 22-year-old may not be in the team's long term plans but at least Essengue can now get more playing time than settling for the bench of a 0-3-8 team. This transaction is almost ruled a non-factor for the 2025 MLS season going forward for the LA Galaxy.