Nowhere in the world mixes sports and entertainment like America, but even here, LA Galaxy are in a league of their own. If US soccer now feels like big-time sports, and big business, that’s down to the kings of California. To the rest of the world, they’re the star-studded Hollywood team – and it’s a game they can play like no one else. It was LA Galaxy who signed Major League Soccer’s own galactico, but as a global phenomenon and occasional footballer, David Beckham overshadowed the true talent within the squad. LA Galaxy have their own star quality - why not come see for yourself? Check out this season’s upcoming games and choose your LA Galaxy Tickets here on StubHub!
LA Galaxy - MLS's shining stars
Founded in 1994, the franchise was among the league’s ten original clubs and remains one of the most successful in North American soccer history. They’re a sponsor’s and a sportscaster’s dream – not even Manchester United or Real Madrid have played at a home stadium like the Rose Bowl – and it would have been easy for style to overtake substance. A trophy cabinet of MLS Cups and Supporters’ Shields is enough to prove what LA Raiders fans would call a “commitment to excellence”. Ironically, some of their most stellar performances have come not at Pasadena, but at the soccer stadium at Carson, their regular-season home since 2003.
Fans are rightly proud of their trophies, their successes against rivals San José Earthquakes, and their club’s ability to develop homegrown heroes. Playmaker Cobi Jones, a star in three World Cups, scored 70 goals for LA and became the first player to have his jersey number retired. He formed a powerful midfield partnership with Landon Donovan, perhaps MLS’s greatest ever talent. Manager Bruce Arena once identified the only problem with the US stalwart: “He’s your best player in so many positions.”
Memorable matches for LA Galaxy
For many fans, the glory days are summed up in two runs to the championship game. In 2011, LA Galaxy put aside a regular-season defeat by Houston Dynamo in the final round to overcome their Texan rivals at home, with Landon Donovan - who else? - keeping his cool to break the deadlock. A year later, the superstars were in trouble, having lost their semi-final first leg to intra-state rivals San Jose. Back in Carson, it was player of the season Robbie Keane, Ireland’s single-minded goal machine, who turned the tie on its head with a double. A week later, Keane was at it again, hammering three past Seattle Sounders over two games, before LA Galaxy again defeated Houston and retained their title, sealed with a Keane penalty kick.
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