Last year, we provided a game-by-game accounting of where the 2017 LA Galaxy stood in comparison to their previous seasons. This analysis was born out of a need to track the club’s dismal start and to put into perspective the depths they had fallen to. We then compared those numbers with previous seasons to discover trends and get an overall idea of where the Galaxy could finish and whether or not there were historical comparisons we could draw.
In 2018, we endeavor to the do the same. We’ll track game-by-game results and try and determine where the years Galaxy club stands.
The first installation of this is pretty meaningless. So take it for what it’s worth – a starting point in which we can do nothing more but simply observe.
On a humorous note, the Galaxy have tied a franchise and league record by winning their first game. They now stand tied with numerous other clubs throughout history and the 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016 Galaxy with three points after a single game.
For historical context, only the 2002 and 2011 MLS-Cup-Winning years for the Galaxy saw the club win its first game.
In fact, the last MLS-Cup-Winning-team to win its first game was in 2013 when Sporting KC beat the Philadelphia Union, on the road.
To take that to a further extreme, the last team to open their season at home, win, and finish by lifting the MLS Cup, was in 2008 when the Columbus Crew beat Toronto FC by a score of 2-0. The Crew’s head coach at the time was Sigi Schmid and his team went on to beat the New York Red Bull’s at StubHub Center (then called the Home Depot Center)for the MLS Cup.
So enjoy the myriad of charts. They mean absolutely nothing at this current date! But they are here to get the ball rolling. And soon enough, we’ll be able to start having fun with them!