2 reasons why the LA Galaxy's right side will look different in 2026 and 1 why it won't | OneFootball

The LA Galaxy have had their fair share of struggles during the 2025 MLS regular season. They finally won their second game of the year on Friday when they beat the banged-up Vancouver Whitecaps.

The defending MLS Cup champions went winless in the season's first 16 games but have gone 2-2-1 in their last five games.

Having one of the league's worst offenses hasn't been the main issue for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Their defense has been even worse than the 2023 version that allowed 67 goals on the year.

This was the last time the LA Galaxy missed the playoffs. Changes were made all around, including at the keeper. Jonathan Bond was replaced by the 2022 MLS Cup Finals MVP John McCarthy.

On Friday, head coach Greg Vanney opted to go with a 4-3-3 formation where he put both Maya Yoshida and Miki Yamane on the right side for defense. Midfielder Edwin Cerrillo lined up on the outside of middle line, to the right, as well.

Why the LA Galaxy aren't at their best with Yamane, Yoshida, and Cerrillo in the Starting XI

This trio of players have struggled mightily all season. The two Japanese-born defenders Yamane and Yoshida both recorded on goals in back-to-back games in early May. Those two losses essentially crushed the LA Galaxy's chances to return to the postseason in 2025.

Cerrillo has played sloppily as he was suspended by MLS for one game last month for excessive fouls. In his next game back in the 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids, the midfielder was issued a yellow card.

Yamane and Yoshida are both in their 30's but Cerrillo has not turned 25, yet. Yamane has two assists on the year but hasn't recorded one since late March. He had seven in total last year including two in the playoffs.

Yoshida, the main captain of the LA Galaxy, has not recorded a goal or an assist on the year. He had two assists last season, too.

In 19 games, all starts for Cerrillo, he has just one assist to his credit and no goals. Last season, the 24-year-old soccer player had one of each.

All three players have had a down 2025 MLS campaign so far. Yet, Vanney placed all three next to each on the right side on Friday night during the Independence Day game.

Are all three going to be back next season for the LA Galaxy?

We have seen players such as Harbor Miller, Lucas Sanabria, and Mathias Jorgensen play in the same spots as Yamane, Yoshida, and Cerrillo. Even former Louisville SC star Elijah Wynder is signed through 2027 at a much more affordable price than these six players.

All six of these players are under contract through next season. However, Yamane, Yoshida, and Cerrillo are free agents after the 2026 MLS season. Zanka, who is also in his mid 30's, is a free agent entering 2027, as well.

Given how the Los Angeles Galaxy has done this year, there is no justifiable reason to settle on starting all three (Yamane, Yoshida, and Cerrillo) again next season. General Manager Will Kuntz has proven he is not afraid to make trades in addition to signing new talent.

It is a safe bet that even if those three remain with the LA Galaxy, all three will not be regular starters for the six-time MLS Cup winners.