How have the stars aligned for the Los Angeles Galaxy in season openers as of late? | OneFootball

This weekend marks the 30th regular season in league history. The Los Angeles Galaxy begin play at home on Sunday against newcomers, San Diego FC.

Last year, the LA Galaxy went a perfect 16-0 at games played in Carson, California during the 2024 regular season. Their dominance at Dignity Health Sports Park continue during the postseason as they went a perfect 4-0 including the MLS Cup Finals.

Looking back, how have the LA Galaxy fared in season openers?

It's not always about how you start the season but how you finish it. However, winning your first match of the season can only boost morale for the remaining 33 games of the schedule.

Reviewing how the last few season openers for the Los Angeles Galaxy shows that the team often does well. In the past six years, the MLS Western Conference powerhouse has gone 3-2-1 in their first game of the season.

Four of the past six openers have been against Eastern Conference teams including a pair of contests against Inter Miami. Had the LA Galaxy had better performances after halftime in 2024 and 2020 during their first game, the Galaxy could have prevent ties and held onto second half leads.

Last year, soccer sensation Lionel Messi scored during the 90'+2' to tie the game 1-1. LA Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy even had the Save of the Year in his debut with his new team.

In 2020, a goal by Houston Dynamo's Mauro Manotas from the Houston Dynamo also tied that opener, 1-1, to begin the season.

Serbian forward Dejan Joveljic has scored the Los Angeles Galaxy's first (and only) goal in the past two season openers. Now, he plays for Sporting Kansas City. In fact, he scored once in each of the LA Galaxy's first five games a season ago.

The last player for the Galaxy to score more than once in a season opener was Javier Hernandez. He connected twice in the second half against Inter Miami on Saturday, February 29, 2020.

Gabriel Pec, the reigning Newcomer of the Year, is primed to be the focus of the offense for the Los Angeles Galaxy. After scoring 19 goals and recording 17 assists including during the postseason, the Brazilian forward has high expectations placed upon him by the front office and head coach Greg Vanney.

If the Los Angeles Galaxy look to win another season opener, Pec may need to score twice like Hernandez did four seasons ago. San Diego FC could be the fourth opponent the LA Galaxy have beaten in the past seven years during the first match of a new year.

The two teams play on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time and 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Sunday's contest is available via MLS Season Pass as well as Apple TV.