Two Rare Starters for the LA Galaxy Joined Starting XI vs. Inter Miami this Weekend | OneFootball

The Los Angeles Galaxy have had to face a lot of adversity this season. Several roster changes over the winter, countless injuries to just about every position, and a 16-game winless streak to open up the year have all pretty much led to the demise of the defending MLS Cup champions in 2025.

The most common formation used by the head coach of the LA Galaxy, Greg Vanney, is the 4-2-3-1 formation. It is what worked during the team's historic playoff run last season. Unfortunately, history was made another way when the Galaxy lost to Miami for the first time during the regular season.

On Saturday, it was successful until late in the second half against Inter Miami. Two notable adjustments to Vanney's Starting XI was the insertion of two players who typically come off the bench, if even at all.

How did Isaiah Parente & Elijah Wydner do on Saturday for the LA Galaxy?

For starters, neither player finished the game. The intent was perhaps to give some of the traditional starters some rest against one of the MLS Eastern Conference's better teams in Inter Miami.

Wydner has played in 11 games this season, starting for four of them, including Saturday's match. With his previous team, Louisville City FC, the 23-year-old had his best season last year. Recording 32 starts, six goals, and an assist, Wydner shined. He also drew 16 more fouls than he committed last season.

The game remained scoreless until the 43rd minute when the LA Galaxy couldn't stop Jordi Alba finding getting one past goalkeeper Novak Micovic. Shortly after, Wynder was replaced by Matheus Nascimento.

Parente remained in the game as he made the most of it. It was his ensuing pass to forward Joseph Paintsil in the 59th that tied the game up 1-1 for the LA Galaxy.

After recording the assist, the 25-year-old midfielder took to the sidelines as Julian Aude checked in for him. Wynder and Parente did not do bad for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Of the twelve players that are scheduled to be a free agent after this year on the Galaxy, Parente is one of them, as is Nascimento. Both Wydner and Aude have two years left on their current deals.

Regardless if we will see Wydner and Parente start together again, they held down that midfield line ahead of the defense. If they can help keep a team like Inter Miami to just one goal in the first half, this might be a sign of things to come during the LA Galaxy's last eight games.