59-719: The Coachella Valley Invitational is a preseason exhibition tournament hosted by the LA Galaxy at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California . The first edition of the tournament was held in February 2022 and featured clubs from Major League Soccer , MLS Next Pro , and the USL Championship . The tournament was announced on January 18, 2022, by the LA Galaxy. The first edition of the event
118-454: A $ 1,200,000 salary cap with no player allowed to receive more than $ 192,500. In order to promote American players, teams were limited to five foreigners on the roster. Each of the 10 MLS teams played 32 games. A regulation win was worth three points, a shootout win one point, and zero points for a loss in any manner. Fear of alienating fans with tied games had led the league to adopting the shootout when games ended even. The league also adopted
177-427: A blue shield with a gold border, the LA Galaxy team name, and a quasar at the top of the crest. The quasar, featured prominently on the LA Galaxy's shield, was originally featured on the 1957 Seal of Los Angeles County, as well as the modified Seal of Los Angeles County, California . The name "Galaxy" was created by Nike at the conception of the league; the apparel company was also the original uniform supplier for
236-554: A countdown clock instead of running clock, unlike IFAB's standards. The league also divided the teams equally into two conferences – Eastern and Western. The league began its first season on Saturday, April 6, 1996, when the San Jose Clash hosted D.C. United at Spartan Stadium . ESPN carried the game live which the Clash won on a goal by Eric Wynalda . That goal was selected as the Goal of
295-521: A designated player. Not since the days of Jorge Campos , Carlos Hermosillo and Luis Hernández in the late 1990s and early 2000s had the Galaxy had a notable Mexican player, let alone one in the prime of his career. Dos Santos made an impactful impression on the Galaxy early on, scoring on his club debut against Central FC in the CONCACAF Champions League and then in his league debut against
354-665: A league record. At the end of the season, longtime LA Galaxy and United States national team player Landon Donovan retired. On January 7, 2015, the LA Galaxy announced the signing of long time Liverpool player Steven Gerrard to an 18-month Designated Player contract, reportedly worth $ 9 million. He joined the team in July 2015 following the end of the 2014–15 Premier League season, and made his debut in an International Champions Cup against Club América on July 11. The club again made headlines by acquiring Mexican star and Barcelona academy product Giovani dos Santos in July as
413-507: A record five MLS Cups and four additional appearances in the final, and won the Western Conference regular-season title eight times, four Supporters' Shields , two U.S. Open Cups , and one CONCACAF Champions' Cup title. In 2017, the club added the dubious MLS Wooden Spoon to its trophy case for finishing at the bottom of the MLS table. In 2007, the club made international headlines with
472-616: A rivalry with the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Clásico and used to play the SuperClasico against city rivals Chivas USA before that team folded in 2014. Following the league's dissolution of Chivas USA, a new expansion team, Los Angeles FC (LAFC), was formed in 2014 and began play in 2018 . The new L.A. rivalry was dubbed " El Tráfico ". The franchise is one of Major League Soccer's most successful teams , with
531-435: A third round draft pick to the Galaxy as compensation to hire Yallop as their new head coach. Yallop was replaced at LA by Ruud Gullit , who signed a three-year contract with the club, making him the highest paid coach in MLS history. Cobi Jones returned as assistant coach. LA went on a promotional tour of Australia and New Zealand, setting attendance records in both countries. 80,295 people showed up at Stadium Australia for
590-520: A tied aggregate and a sudden-death game. Los Angeles won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup that same year, one of three American clubs to win the tournament. 2001 was another successful year for Los Angeles, winning the Open Cup and scoring 1,000 all-time points, and with Cobi Jones scoring the 300th goal, but again they fell short by being defeated by Landon Donovan and the San Jose Earthquakes . Again
649-474: A unified boycott, refusing to attend any home games until Klein was removed from his position. The Galaxy began 2023 with their worst start to a season in club history, winless in their first seven games while twice ending up at the bottom of the league's overall standings. After a loss to Charlotte FC in May, Galaxy supporters were seen involved in a shouting match with manager Greg Vanney, who had assumed control of
SECTION 10
#1732852150612708-544: A year, to be the club's primary shirt sponsor. Four months later, the club signed David Beckham from Real Madrid . His debut was made at Home Depot Center before a record crowd of nearly 35,000, including many celebrities, coming on in the 78th minute in a 1–0 loss to Chelsea in a match during the World Series of Football tournament. The match brought unprecedented TV coverage from ESPN , who used 19 cameras to cover it, including one trained only on Beckham, even when he
767-427: Is blue. The colors were adopted to coincide with David Beckham 's arrival with the team in 2007 as part of an overall re-branding exercise spearheaded by then GM Alexi Lalas. Before 2007, the Galaxy played in various color combinations, usually comprising gold, teal green and white with black accents, and often highlighting an iconic sash design from the left shoulder and across the chest. Their original jersey, used in
826-476: Is the all-time leading scorer for the club. In 2019, Forbes estimated the club is the second most valuable in the league, worth about $ 480 million. LA Galaxy is one of the 10 founding clubs in Major League Soccer. The name "Galaxy" was derived from Los Angeles being home to the "stars" of Hollywood . The team began competing in the first season of the then-new league, which took place in 1996. In
885-478: Is the official cheerleaders of the club. They often attend events hosted by the Galaxy, such as autograph sessions, and can be often seen around the stadium during game time giving away scarves and supporting the team. The Angel City Brigade was created in 2007 to help establish a festive and vibrant atmosphere in Dignity Health Sports Park for the Galaxy. They were originally located in section 121 in
944-459: The 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round. After the 2009 success, both Donovan and Beckham again went out on second loan spells. Donovan went to Everton while Beckham returned to Milan, where he ruptured his Achilles tendon and therefore missed his chance at playing in the World Cup for England and subsequently missing most of the Galaxy's 2010 season. In 2010, the Galaxy stayed at
1003-496: The MLS Goal of the Year award. Los Angeles throughout the season dealt with defensive struggles, and in their last match of the regular season, against Houston Dynamo , the Galaxy were defeated and once again missed the postseason. After the 2018 season, the Galaxy ended Ibrahimović's original deal and signed him to a new and higher salaried designated player contract. On March 1, 2019,
1062-464: The United States national team , bringing most of the Galaxy's coaching staff with him, including associate head coach Dave Sarachan. Arena was replaced as general manager by former Galaxy player Peter Vagenas , and as head coach by his LA Galaxy II counterpart, Curt Onalfo . The front office constructed the team to rely on players from the academy and Galaxy II system. Multiple injuries exposed
1121-532: The 2009 season top of the Western Conference and runners-up in the MLS Supporters' Shield , qualifying for the 2009 MLS Cup . They reached the final by beating Chivas USA 3–2 on aggregate in the quarter-final, and Houston Dynamo 2–0, after extra time, in the semi-final. In the final they drew 1–1 with Real Salt Lake at Qwest Field in Seattle , but lost 5–4 on penalties. By reaching the final, they qualified for
1180-707: The Dallas Burn, 9–3 on aggregate. They lost in the semi-final to the Chicago Fire , 5–1 on aggregate. The Galaxy again finished first in the Western Conference in 1999, with a final record of 20–12, with a win in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup , but lost to D.C. United again 2–0. The 2000 season had the Galaxy in second in the Western Division, at 14–10–8. Despite this, they lost to the Kansas City Wizards after
1239-454: The Galaxy shared the stadium with their now-defunct league rivals Chivas USA , with whom they competed in the SuperClasico . Cozmo is the Galaxy's mascot. He has dark blue skin with yellow eyebrows and white eyes matching the Galaxy's home uniform colors. He replaced the Galaxy's original mascot, "Twizzle", who also looked like it was from outer space but was more humanoid in form, wearing a space-man's helmet and cape. The Galaxy Star Squad
SECTION 20
#17328521506121298-515: The General Admission area of the stadium. The LA Riot Squad formed after a loss in the 2001 MLS Cup, when then-Galaxy keeper Kevin Hartman challenged a group of Galaxy fans to form a supporter group of 100 people by opening day of 2002. The reward if they were able to do this was a keg of beer. They are located in sections 137 and 138 in the General Admission area of the stadium. Galaxians are
1357-490: The Sounders. In his first five club matches, he had a goal, an assist or both to total with four goals and five assists in that span. Before the start of the 2016 season , it was announced that long-time servicing center-back Omar Gonzalez would leave the Galaxy after nine years to C.F. Pachuca . On November 22, 2016, long-time general manager and head coach Bruce Arena left the club to begin his second stint as head coach of
1416-622: The U.S. Open Cup Final was held there in 2001 when the Galaxy won the tournament. In 2003, the Galaxy moved to Dignity Health Sports Park (then known as the Home Depot Center, later known as StubHub Center), on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson , approximately ten miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The stadium is a 27,000-seat soccer-specific stadium , the second of its kind in MLS, but has hosted other sports such as rugby and American football. From 2005 to 2014,
1475-553: The West (eighth overall), their highest mark since 2016, and beat Nashville SC at home in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs before falling again to their crosstown rivals LAFC in the conference semifinals, 3−2, at the last minute. Hernández was named the team's player of the year that season. In the offseason leading up to 2023, team president Chris Klein was suspended through the primary transfer window after undisclosed payments involving
1534-472: The Western Conference, eliminating them from playoff contention for the first time since the league's inception. Midway through the season, Steve Sampson was sacked as head coach, replaced by Frank Yallop . The team managed to make a deep run to the U.S. Open Cup final, but lost 3–1 against the Chicago Fire. In March 2007, Herbalife signed a five-year deal with the Galaxy, worth between $ 4–5 million
1593-576: The club clinched first in the Western Conference with a 16–9–3 record, their fifth time being first. Los Angeles were to take part in FIFA's Club World Cup as Concacaf champions from the previous year, but the tournament was canceled that year. In 2002, the Galaxy won their first MLS Cup in the club's fourth appearance by defeating the New England Revolution 1–0. In 2003, the Galaxy finished fourth playing more away games due to stadium construction, with
1652-406: The club was not allowed to sign international players in the 2023 summer transfer window. The club arranged for a transfer from La Liga club Sevilla , signing a three-year contract with Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez on January 21, 2020, and making him the highest-paid player in the league. At the end of the season, after failing to making the postseason, head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto
1711-585: The club. Despite the new contract, Beckham confirmed in November 2012 that he would be leaving the Galaxy at the end of the 2012 MLS season. On December 1, 2012, the Galaxy won their second-straight MLS Cup victory over the Houston Dynamo, 3–1. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez won the MLS MVP trophy, heading in the 1–1 equalizer in the 60th minute. That goal was quickly followed by a Donovan penalty kick, and Keane sealed
1770-526: The conclusion of the Rossoneri's season in June, before returning to LA in July. Donovan was not offered a contract by Bayern, and returned to the U.S. in time for the beginning of the 2009 MLS season . In the book The Beckham Experiment by Grant Wahl , Donovan openly criticized Beckham for his handling of the loan deals. Beckham and Donovan would later reconcile upon Beckham's return to LA in July. LA finished
1829-642: The defeat to Seattle Sounders FC in the final game of the season with the Supporters' Shield on the line, the team entered the 2014 MLS playoffs defeating Real Salt Lake, advancing to face Seattle once again in the Western Conference Finals, advancing to the MLS Cup by away goals. They played the New England Revolution in the 2014 MLS Cup and won 2–1 in overtime, thereby becoming five-time champions,
Coachella Valley Invitational - Misplaced Pages Continue
1888-459: The emergence of academy product Efraín Álvarez , the Galaxy placed fifth in the West and made the playoffs. The season was best remembered for Ibrahimović's performances against LAFC, including a hat-trick at home in July and a brace in Banc of California Stadium that August. Ibrahimović finished the season with 30 goals, the second-highest mark in the season and third-highest total in league history (with
1947-531: The first and original supporter group of the LA Galaxy, having been established in 1996 during the Galaxy's first season in MLS. They were originally located in section 124. Galaxy Outlawz is the latest group started in 2019. They now join the Galaxians and the Angel City Brigade in the new safe standing section in the north end. 1996 Major League Soccer season The 1996 Major League Soccer season
2006-451: The first pick of the draft. On March 4, 1996, the league then held the 1996 MLS College Draft followed by the 1996 MLS Supplemental Draft later that day. Despite the numerous drafts, the teams were not obligated to sign only players from the drafts. The preseason began the first week of March. The teams reduced their rosters to twenty-two players by March 25 and had to make a final roster reduction to eighteen by April 15. The teams had
2065-444: The game with another penalty kick in stoppage time. In post-match interviews both Donovan and Beckham remained coy about their future MLS plans. The Galaxy finished the 2013 season third in the Western Conference. They reached the conference semi-finals, where they lost 2–1 to Real Salt Lake. They also reached the semi-finals of the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League , but lost 3–1 on aggregate to Mexican team Monterrey . Following
2124-588: The highest annual revenue of any MLS team, the third highest revenue of any CONCACAF team, and the seventh highest revenue of any team in the Americas. From 1996 to 2002, and for an El Tráfico exhibition game in 2023, the Galaxy played their home games at the 107,000-person capacity Rose Bowl in Pasadena , but often held U.S. Open Cup games at Titan Stadium on the campus of California State University, Fullerton . The Galaxy played 10 games in total at Titan Stadium;
2183-466: The inaugural 1996 MLS season, reflected the colors of the city of Los Angeles and featured black-and-teal halves, black sleeves with gold and red accents, black shorts and black socks. The Galaxy have had two logos to date. The original brand was gold, teal and black, and featured the Galaxy wordmark superimposed over a golden swirl, with a stylized black outline. The logo was changed in 2007, again to coincide with David Beckham's arrival, and now features
2242-472: The inaugural season, the Galaxy finished first in the Western Conference and contested the first MLS Cup final, finishing as runners-up to D.C. United . In 1997, they started 1–7, but went 15–9 for the rest of the season to qualify for the playoffs. The Galaxy ended up second in their conference, losing to the Dallas Burn . In 1998, the Galaxy left off on a streak, eventually finishing 24–8. The Galaxy defeated
2301-542: The league apportioned the marquee players in the MLS Inaugural Allocations . Each team received two national team and two foreign players in the allocation. The league then invited about 250 players to a tryout the second week of January 1996 on the campus of UC Irvine . On February 6 and 7, 1996, the league held its 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft in which the ten teams selected 160 players over sixteen rounds. The Columbus Crew selected Brian McBride with
2360-574: The league's 10 charter members. The Galaxy were founded in 1994 and are owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group (also owners of the Los Angeles Kings , as well as an interest in the Los Angeles Lakers ). In their early years, the club played home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California . Since 2003, they have played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California . The team holds
2419-468: The match between Sydney FC and LA Galaxy, which the home side won 5–3. They also played a tour of Asia, and competed in the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship in Honolulu , finishing third after beating Sydney 2–1 in the third-place match. In the 2008 MLS season , LA went on a seven-game winless streak that saw them drop from first place in the Western Conference to outside playoff contention, prompting
Coachella Valley Invitational - Misplaced Pages Continue
2478-416: The naive roster construction, which included erratic performances by Jermaine Jones, and sparse production from Giovanni Dos Santos. With a 6–10–4 record, the Galaxy fired Curt Onalfo and replaced him with former head coach Sigi Schmid on July 27, 2017. Under Schmid, the club went 2–8–4 and finished the season in last place overall with a mark of 8–18–8. It was only the fourth time that the club failed to make
2537-443: The playoffs in all of the league's first ten seasons. They won the 2005 MLS Cup , defeating the New England Revolution in extra time, 1–0. The 2006 season began on March 16 with the sudden death of Doug Hamilton , the team's 43-year-old general manager, who suffered a heart attack on board a plane carrying the team back from Costa Rica where they had played Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup . The team finished fifth in
2596-451: The possible existing obstacles, the team finished 9–12–9. The Galaxy bounced back by gaining second with an 11–9–10 record. They lost to the Wizards in the final, 0–2. In 2005, the Galaxy acquired Landon Donovan from San Jose. The franchise won the Open Cup again ending with a record of 13–13–6. Having qualified for the playoffs for the 2005 season, the Galaxy has been the only team to appear in
2655-399: The postseason, and the club's first wooden spoon . In March 2018, the team signed Zlatan Ibrahimović on a two-year, $ 3 million contract with targeted allocation money. The Swede made his debut in the inaugural El Tráfico match against LAFC, scoring two goals to end the game with the Galaxy coming from 0–3 down to win 4–3. One of the goals Ibrahimović scored in that game later received
2714-522: The record being broken by LAFC's Carlos Vela that year). In the playoffs , the Galaxy defeated Minnesota United FC 2–1 before falling to LAFC, 5–3. Ibrahimović left the club in November, and of the 2019 signings—most of them on loan—only Pavón returned for 2020. Three years later, in December 2022, MLS sanctioned the Galaxy for the 2019 Pavón signing, stripping the club of $ 1 million in allocation money and suspending club president Chris Klein . Moreover,
2773-629: The resignation of manager Ruud Gullit and firing of general manager Alexi Lalas . Gullit was replaced by Bruce Arena , who was unable to lead LA into a play-off spot, for the third-straight season. In the following off-season, both club captain David Beckham and vice-captain Landon Donovan were involved in loan deals with European clubs until the beginning of the new MLS season; Beckham to Milan in Italy and Donovan to German club Bayern Munich . Donovan
2832-485: The signing of English player David Beckham from Real Madrid , the most high-profile transaction with Major League Soccer to that point. The club has fielded other high-profile international players including Zlatan Ibrahimović , Steven Gerrard , Nigel de Jong , Robbie Keane , Ashley Cole , Marco Reus , Luis Hernández , Giovani dos Santos , Mauricio Cienfuegos , Carlos Ruiz , Jonathan dos Santos , Jorge Campos , Javier Hernández , and American Landon Donovan , who
2891-445: The team announced they had exercised its one offseason Buyout of a Guaranteed Contract on Giovani dos Santos, thus releasing him from the team. In the 2019 season , the Galaxy welcomed Guillermo Barros Schelotto to the club as head coach. The Galaxy also added a number of players, notably Uruguayan Diego Polenta , Argentine World Cup veteran Cristian Pavón , fellow Argentine Favio Álvarez and Mexican Uriel Antuna . With this, and
2950-399: The team's 2019 signing of Cristian Pavon, in which MLS reported that Pavon should have been classified as a designated player. The league's sanctions on the Galaxy meant that the team could not make any international signings during the 2023 summer transfer window. Despite these punishments, Klein signed a multi-year extension with the team. In response, Galaxy supporter group leaders announced
3009-399: The team's soccer operations in the wake of Klein's suspension. In the aftermath, ESPN ranked the Galaxy 29 of 29 in their MLS power rankings, saying they were "not a serious club". On May 30, 2023, the Galaxy officially announced they had parted ways with Klein. The LA Galaxy's current team colors are navy blue, gold, and white. The team's primary uniform is white and the secondary uniform
SECTION 50
#17328521506123068-576: The team. The Galaxy first turned a profit in 2003, becoming the first MLS team to do so. After the team moved into the new Home Depot Center, the team saw increased attendance, a doubling of revenue from sponsors, and revenues from parking and concessions. A Forbes 2015 report ranked the LA Galaxy second in MLS in terms of annual revenue ($ 44 million) and in franchise value ($ 240 million). The Galaxy earn more in annual club sponsorship income ($ 14 million) and annual local TV rights ($ 5 million) than any other MLS team. The Galaxy have
3127-458: The third-straight team to win consecutive Shields while amassing the second-best points total in MLS history. They followed this up with their third MLS Cup, defeating the Houston Dynamo 1–0 in the final . The 2011 MLS Cup was the Galaxy's first MLS Cup Victory in regulation. The 2002 and the 2005 MLS Cup wins were won in overtime. In January 2012, after much speculation, Beckham signed a new two-year deal with LA to secure his short-term future at
3186-520: The top of the table and won the Supporters' Shield, the first time MLS played a balanced schedule. They then lost to FC Dallas in the Western Conference Final, one game away from making another appearance at MLS Cup. In 2011, a year in which they added the Republic of Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer Robbie Keane , they won their fourth Supporters' Shield with two games remaining, becoming
3245-519: Was fired, and replaced with Dominic Kinnear as interim manager. On January 5, the Galaxy announced Greg Vanney as the new manager. Under Vanney, the Galaxy narrowly missed the MLS playoffs in 2021, finishing eighth in the Western Conference (15th overall). In 2022, the club showed marked improvement, punctuated by the continued improvement of Hernández (who scored 18 goals) and the signings of former Barcelona youth product Riqui Puig and European veteran Gastón Brugman . The Galaxy finished fourth in
3304-612: Was held behind closed doors . The 2024 edition will feature 10 MLS teams and is scheduled to run from February 4 to 17. LA Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy , more commonly known as the LA Galaxy , are an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference . The Galaxy began play in 1996 as one of
3363-474: Was on the bench. In that season's SuperLiga , LA reached the final but lost to Mexican side Pachuca on penalties after extra time . LA nearly made the end-of-season play-offs, but were eliminated following a 1–0 loss to the Chicago Fire. In the off-season, Cobi Jones retired and, amidst rumors that he was going to be sacked, Yallop resigned as head coach following a friendly match at Home Depot Center. The San Jose Earthquakes bought out his contract and offered
3422-477: Was seeking a permanent transfer to Munich, while Beckham was expected to return to LA in March, prior to the 2009 season. Beckham went on to seek a permanent transfer to Milan in a bid to sustain his England career through the 2010 World Cup , and Milan made a bid for the player that was rejected by LA. One day before his loan deal was to expire, Milan and LA reached an agreement to allow Beckham to stay in Italy until
3481-616: Was the inaugural season of Major League Soccer . It was the 84th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 18th with a national first-division league. Major League Soccer had originally intended to begin competitive action in 1995. Various difficulties forced the league to postpone its first season until 1996. In preparation for its first season, the league began signing what it called marquee players , beginning with Tab Ramos on January 3, 1995. Beginning in October 1995,
#611388