LA Galaxy Faces Challenges Ahead of Concacaf Champions Cup Match

LOS ANGELES, CA — The LA Galaxy will take on Costa Rica’s Club Sport Herediano in the opening leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup on March 5, 2025, at the Estadio José Rafael “Fello” Meza Ivankovich. This match comes after a shaky start to the MLS season, where the Galaxy have only managed two wins in eight games — both during preseason — alongside two draws.

In their MLS regular season debut, the Galaxy lost at home to San Diego FC, featuring Mexican international Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano, followed by a second loss to the Chicago Fire just days later. Despite these setbacks, the team’s head coach, Greg Vanney, remains focused on the cup competition.

“It’s a different competition with two games, but the most important part is how we position ourselves in the first game to then decide in the second in Los Angeles,” Vanney said. He emphasized the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities and address the errors that have plagued his team in recent matches.

The Galaxy’s next game will be significant not only for team morale but also for their advancement in the cup. The return match against Herediano is scheduled for March 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Vanney acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries within the squad. “We have to find solutions to create dangerous plays while dealing with injuries, but we need to find those critical moments,” he said during a video call from Costa Rica. “We have four games in two weeks, and it’s a heavy schedule, so we’ll use some rotations to help ease those moments.”

This will be the third official meeting between the Galaxy and Herediano. In the 2012-2013 Concacaf Champions League, the two teams played to a scoreless draw in Costa Rica, but the Galaxy secured a 4-1 victory in Los Angeles to advance in that tournament.

Galaxy forward Christian Ramírez, who is also navigating a new season with many fresh faces, stressed the importance of unity despite the challenges. “The good thing about midweek games is that they allow you to quickly shift focus between league play and international tournaments. We know it’s a process with all the new faces and injuries, so we need to tighten our belts and stay united,” Ramírez said.

On the other hand, Herediano is also dealing with injury issues, as forward Joseph Bolaños is sidelined with a knee sprain, which will keep him off the field for several weeks.

As the competition heats up, both teams will look to secure a strong outcome in the first match to advance in the tournament and bring their clubs closer to representing the region in the FIFA Club World Cup.