Galaxy and Club America Battle to 2-2 Draw in Friendly Match

The Los Angeles Galaxy concluded their 2025 season with a 2-2 draw against Club America during a friendly match at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday. The match, played in front of 16,714 spectators, featured a spirited performance from both teams, with the Galaxy equalizing twice after falling behind against the Liga MX powerhouse.

Christian Ramirez opened the scoring for the Galaxy in the 15th minute, followed by a goal from Gabriel Pec in the 41st minute. Both goals were assisted by Mauricio Cuevas, showcasing his playmaking abilities. The match was ultimately called off in the 87th minute due to lightning, which followed heavy rain throughout the game.

The Galaxy’s regular season ended on October 18, 2025, and the team opted to extend their training period for an additional three weeks leading up to this friendly. Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney emphasized the importance of using this match as a springboard for the upcoming season. “Good chances, as we all know, we could come back and play as early as February 3, and so that could end up being a four-and-a-half week preseason,” Vanney stated. He noted the significance of preparing well to avoid a lengthy gap between training and the start of the next season.

Looking ahead, the Galaxy are set to begin the 2026 season in the first week of February, participating in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Preseason training is expected to commence in mid-January.

For Ramirez, the friendly offered a chance to regain momentum after struggling with injuries earlier in the season. He noted, “I wasn’t healthy at the end of the year, and it’s good to put some minutes in our bank and then move on to the offseason and prepare for next year.” His goals for the match included delivering strong performance and ensuring the team walks away healthy for future training sessions.

In addition to established players, the Galaxy also showcased their young talent. Jose “Pepe” Magaña, an academy product aged 18, made a late appearance as a substitute. Magaña previously played for the Galaxy’s MLS Next Pro team, Ventura County FC, where he made 25 appearances. Another academy player, Gabriel Arnold, also featured as a substitute in the 80th minute.

Club America is currently preparing for the Liga MX Apertura tournament, which is set to commence later this month, as they look to build on their strong reputation in Mexican football.

The friendly served as a valuable opportunity for the Galaxy to assess their squad and begin laying the groundwork for the challenges of the upcoming season. As both teams move forward, the focus will be on refining strategies and maintaining player health in anticipation of a new year filled with competitive opportunities.