Title: LA Galaxy Struggling to Avoid Basement Finish Amid Playoff Push for FC Dallas
Playoff Push for FC Dallas
As the 2025 MLS season winds down, a crucial matchup is on tap between the struggling LA Galaxy and the playoff-chasing FC Dallas. While the Galaxy have long been eliminated from the postseason, their final games hold major implications for their rivals from Dallas.
FC Dallas currently sits in 9th place in the Western Conference, clinging to the final playoff spot. A win over the Galaxy this Saturday would clinch a postseason berth for Dallas, capping off an impressive late-season surge.
"This is a massive game for us," said FC Dallas head coach Nico Estévez. "We've worked so hard to put ourselves in this position, and we can't let it slip away now. Taking care of business against LA is our top priority."
Galaxy Aiming to Avoid Basement Finish
For the LA Galaxy, the focus has shifted to simply avoiding a last-place finish in the West. At 5-18-9, the once-dominant franchise is mired in one of its worst seasons in recent memory.
"It's been a really tough year, no doubt about it," said Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig. "We let too many games slip away, and now we're fighting just to stay out of the basement. That's not where this club belongs."
The Galaxy's struggles have been particularly glaring on the defensive end, where they've conceded a league-high 58 goals. One of the main culprits has been an inability to defend set pieces, an issue that was painfully evident in a recent Campeones Cup Final defeat.
"We've got to shore things up at the back, plain and simple," said Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney. "Too many times this year, we've shot ourselves in the foot on dead-ball situations. It's something we've really emphasized in training this week."
Ibrahimović Reflects on Rise to Stardom
While the current Galaxy squad battles to salvage their season, one of the club's all-time greats, Zlatan Ibrahimović, has been reflecting on his own legendary career. In a recent interview, the retired Swedish striker credited former manager Fabio Capello with helping him develop the mentality that fueled his success.
"Capello taught me to demand respect and become a superstar," Ibrahimović said. "It was like a survival mode, and I brought that with me everywhere I went."
Despite his many individual accolades, Ibrahimović acknowledged that his failure to win the UEFA Champions League is a notable omission on his résumé. However, he remains confident that his legacy will endure.
"Everybody knows I didn't win the Champions League, so it's no secret," he said. "But the people will remember more that I didn't win it than the 90% that did."
TL;DR
- FC Dallas can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the struggling LA Galaxy this Saturday
- The Galaxy are mired in one of their worst seasons, fighting to avoid a last-place finish in the West
- Defensive issues, particularly on set pieces, have plagued the Galaxy all year
- Retired Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimović reflected on his rise to superstardom, crediting former manager Fabio Capello