6 Former LA Galaxy Stars that also played for Sporting KC or KC Wizards | OneFootball

Major League Soccer started in 1996. Two of the league's original clubs are still doing battle 30 seasons later.

The Los Angeles Galaxy are still known for its early success in MLS. They appeared in four of the first seven MLS Cup title games. After losing their first three, they tasted championship gold in 2002.

After their first season in the league, the Kansas City Wiz adopted their full name, the Wizards. They won the MLS Cup two seasons prior to the LA Galaxy doing so.

With the long standing history that both franchise boast, there are quite a few players who have played for both the Los Angeles Galaxy and now, Sporting Kansas City.

May 5, 2013; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC midfielder Josh Gardner (31) makes a pass against Chivas USA in the second half at Sporting Park. Kansas City won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-Imagn Images | John Rieger-Imagn Images

1. Josh Gardner, Defender/Midfielder

The Freeport, Texas native made his MLS debut in 2004. During his second season with the team, the Los Angeles Galaxy captured its second league title in franchise history. It would also mark the team's fifth MLS Cup Finals appearance.

Gardner scored just one time in 21 appearances for the LA Galaxy. He would play another six seasons before ending his MLS career with Sporting Kansas City. Sporting won the MLS Cup in 2013, breaking up the Galaxy's bid at the first and ever three-peat in league history.

May 14, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Seattle Sounders FC forward Hercules Gomez (9) kicks the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

2. Hercules Gomez, Forward

Making his MLS debut in 2002, this was the first season that the Los Angeles Galaxy won a league title. In his 53 appearances, he made 16 goals for his first team in pros.

Before joining the Kansas Wizards in 2008, Gomez spent two seasons with the Colorado Rapids.The Oxnard, California native scored six times for the Rapids but would only find the back of the net for the Wizards.

Gomez wrapped up his MLS career playing for Toronto FC in 2015 and the Seattle Sounders FC in 2016. In his final year in the league, he won another MLS Cup as it was against the team he played for the previous year.

During his time with Toronto FC, Gomez played for the current head coach of the LA Galaxy, Greg Vanney. Eriq Zavaleta, Vanney's nephew, and midfielder Marky Delgado also played for Toronto FC then, too.

Aug 17, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy former goalkeeper Kevin Hartman signs an autograph for Nancy Norton before the game against Real Salt Lake at the Stubhub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

3. Kevin Hartman, Goalkeeper

The current goalkeeper coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy originally played for the six-time MLS Cup winners. Hartman played for both Cal State Dominguez Hills and the UCLA Bruins before joining the LA Gaalxy in 1997.

He was with the team through 2006, including both MLS Cup-winning seasons in 2002 and 2005. Hartman appeared in 247 games for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

From 2007 to 2009, Hartman played for the Kansas City Wizards. Born in Athens, Ohio, Hartman's 180 wins are the second most by any keeper in MLS history. The last team that the veteran keeper took the field in the league was for FC Dallas.

Hartman was the LA Galaxy academy director before becoming the goalkeeper coach in 2021. He also made five appearances for the United States Men's National Team.

Jan 23, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy team president Chris Klein speaks before introducing player Javier Hernandez at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

4. Chris Klein, Midfielder

The former Indiana Hoosier soccer player broke into MLS with the Kansas City Wizards in 1998. In 200 appearances, Klein scored 39 times. He was a part of KC's championship team in 2000.

Klein would then join Real Salt Lake for two seasons before becoming a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. He played in 90 games across all competitions for the Galaxy, scoring two goals.

The St. Louis native left the MLS ahead of the LA Galaxy winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Klein was also the club president for the LA Galaxy from the 2013 season through the middle of the 2023 season. When the team won its fifth MLS title during the 2014 season, Klein was in the Galaxy's front office, too.

Dec 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Alexi Lalas looks on before the 2024 MLS Cup between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

5. Alexi Lalas, Defender

This former LA Galaxy standout floated around in MLS before joining the six-time MLS champions. Starting off with the New England Revolution, Lalas went to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars for one season.

It wasn't until the 1999 season when the former Rutger Scarlet Knight signed with the Kansas City Wizards. Unfortunately Lalas sat out the next season when KC won their first MLS Cup title.

In 2001, the 6'3'' tall defender became a member of the LA Galaxy and won a title with the team in 2002. Prior to joining MLS, Lalas played for the USMNT in 96 games and scored 10 times.

Aug 20, 2022; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Houston Dynamo FC head coach during the first half against the Colorado Rapids Paulo Nagamura at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

6. Paulo Nagamura, Midfielder

Currently on the coaching staff for the Chicago Fire, this former soccer player began his MLS career with the LA Galaxy. He joined the team in 2005, just in time for their second title.

Nagamura appeared in 54 games during his two years with the LA Galaxy before joining Toronto FC and two stints with the now-folded Chivas USA. From 2012 to 2016, the Brazilian midfielder played in 95 games while scoring twice for Sporting Kansas City.

Just like Gardner, Nagamura also won another MLS Cup in 2013 for KC.. As he began his professional playing career with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Nagamura started his head coaching career with Sporting Kansas City's second team.