Why the LA Galaxy may want a Union with Philadelphia's former head coach | OneFootball

Since the inaugural season for Major League Soccer in 1996, the Los Angeles Galaxy enjoyed being a playoff regular. For ten straight years, the MLS juggernauts qualified for the postseason.

During that stretch, the LA Galaxy made five appearances in the Finals. After losing their first three (1996, 1999, and 2001), they went on to win titles in 2002 and 2005.

Despite the consistency in the first ten years of the league, the Los Angeles Galaxy went through four different coaches. Lothar Osiander, Octavio Zambrano, Sigi Schmid and Steve Sampson all called the shots for the team from the sideline.

The 2006 MLS season marked the first time that the LA Galaxy failed to make the playoffs. It was only the second year in which they had more losses than wins, too. Thus, another coaching change was imminent before two more (and an interim) tried to extend the legendary franchise history of success an dominance in the league.

Prior to Bruce Arena being named the seventh permanent coach in LA Galaxy history, the team missed out on the 2007 playoffs, as well. He took over mid-season, relieving Cobi Jones as head coach. After eight and a half seasons, Arena's tenure as the man in charge ended.

Fast forward to 2021, Greg Vanney became the team's 12th permanent coach in franchise history. Dividends appeared to payoff as the Los Angeles Galaxy ended a ten-year long title drought. In their tenth MLS Finals game, they won a record sixth championship.

Twelve games into the 2025 MLS season and calls for a 13th coach have already been ushered. Fans are unhappy with the product on the field. The LA Galaxy are winless as they field the league's worst offense and defense.

So what's one logical replacement to take over the LA Galaxy?

Piotr Nowak and John Hackworth were coaches for the Philadelphia Union before Jim Curtin took over as the franchise's third sideline sergeant. He took over midway through the 2014 MLS season.

Before the 2015 season, Philadelphia had only been to the playoffs once. From 2016 to 2018, the Union made the playoffs twice but were first-round exits both times.

Prior to last year, they had been a playoff regular, just like the LA Galaxy in the first decade of MLS's existence. Posting career totals of 176 wins,111 draws, and 133 losses as the head coach, the Philadelphia Union were always competitve under the prime of his regime.

Current LA Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy originally played for Philadelphia in his first five seasons in MLS. The head coach of the team at that time was Curtin. Having someone familiar with the struggling veteran could rejuvenate his season or career.

Curtin is not currently coaching anywhere. While his availability may not be the question, his interest could be. Philadelphia will host the LA Galaxy on Wednesday. That gives Will Kuntz, the general manager of the 2024 MLS Cup winners, a chance to see the product that the Union's former coach left behind.

Regardless, no one can argue that the performances of the Galaxy are better than the Union's. Vanney's team has not delivered and underachieved. With this season being a failure, it may be time to call it curtains on and make another coaching change for the Los Angeles Galaxy.