A little more than a year after finishing in 13th place, the Los Angeles Galaxy are just two wins away from another championship. The Galaxy will play Seattle at home on Saturday, November 30, in a revival of the Western Conference rivalry that saw LA defeat the Sounders twice en route to lifting the MLS Cup (2012, 2014).

A win means Los Angeles will host the title game on December 7 at Dignity Health Sports Park, where they haven’t lost all year, to try to add another trophy.

But the opportunity to lift Sixth does not come without struggle. Ten years of mediocrity, including missing the playoffs four times in six years and a last-place finish in 2017, are proof enough.

That’s why a return to glory feels so sweet for the five-star team.

Although “the work is not done,” as Kobe Bryant quipped, Galaxy fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate their incredible turnaround season.

And as Thanksgiving approaches, they should also remember to be grateful that…

The Los Angeles Galaxy are once again a contender

Based on their performance, including scoring an MLS playoff record 15 goals in three games, the Galaxy were favorites to lift the MLS Cup. They don’t just beat their opponents; they have exposed and degraded them.

Against Colorado, they hung nine goals on a team managed by an MLS Coach of the Year candidate. They beat Minnesota United, touted as one of the best defenses in the league, even dirtier by scoring six goals in one game on the Loons.

Around this time last year, Galaxy players were already enjoying their summer break. This year, as a reward for their wins over MNUFC and the Rapids, they will practice on Thanksgiving Day. Greg Vanney has locked up his squad, preparing to face a Seattle team that has a strong and determined defense.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“First and foremost, I’m thankful that we practiced this week, and practiced on Thanksgiving Day,” Vanney told Extra Time Talk. “As long as I’ve been in this sport, whether it’s on the UCLA campus or in the league, if you practice on Thanksgiving Day, then you’re doing something right. That means you’re in the top four at UCLA or top four in MLS. So I’m glad we’re still together as a group and working towards something big.”

Something big is true. In the season included some individual and collective assessment notes by Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec, Joseph Painstil, and Dejan Joveljic, the top prize remains the MLS Cup.

The best part is, for the Galaxy to win, they don’t need to change a thing. The Killer P’s, as the Galaxy’s Designated Players are known, must continue to play as before. And that’s why Galaxy fans should be grateful that…

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Killer P Produces When It Matters

The $20 million the Galaxy spent in the off-season to acquire Pec and Paintsil? This deal looks like a bargain now.

These players have come in and started working. Having one of the wingers accompanying Puig is a nightmare for opposing defenses. The trio’s understanding on the field made the Galaxy the third-best offense in the league during the regular season, with 69 goals.

The other numbers don’t lie. Killer P has been producing all season. In September, the Galaxy became the second team in MLS history to have three players record more than 10 goals and more than 10 assists in the same season (Joseph Paintsil: 10 goals, 10 assists; Gabriel Pec: 16 goals, 14 assists; Riqui Puig: 13 goals, 15 assists). They were even better at home, registering 65 goal contributions in all competitions.

This form has carried over to the playoffs. The Galaxy DP has assisted or scored all but two of LA’s 15 playoff goals this postseason.

To beat Seattle, they need more of the same.

The Killer P’s will now face a Sounders side that has not lost in 10 games, has only two defeats in its last 20 games, and has conceded just five goals in its last 10 games in all competitions.

Seattle will need to play a perfect game to limit the Galaxy stars, and that may not be enough. Shut down Puig, and Pec is on the wing. If you limit Pec, you have to worry about Puig getting services to Painstil. If both have trouble getting to the ball, Puig will probably count it as a goal.

Minnesota knows how hard the Galaxy can hurt you in a variety of ways. But the jewel of those six touchdowns was Pec’s captivating 60-yard solo good goal which eliminated any remaining resistance from MNUFC.

“I’m very happy with the goal, the second goal,” Pec told the media after the Galaxy’s win. “I believe it was one of the most beautiful goals of my career and I can’t wait to get home, watch the goal and watch it.”

In a season full of special moments, Pec’s goal was the highlight. It’s incredible to think that the 23-year-old Brazilian winger, who broke the Galaxy’s transfer record, couldn’t have been signed five years ago in MLS.

His and Paintsil’s signings had changed Galaxy’s fortunes. Galaxy fans should be grateful to the man who signed them, but also grateful and aware that…

Will Kuntz is the Most Important Signing in the Galaxy

Kuntz’s resume this season speaks for itself in his first full year as Galaxy General Manager.

He took a team in 13th place, which was an embarrassing caricature of the previous great teams, and immediately righted the ship. The Galaxy won a club-best 19 games this year and matched its best points total in the modern era of MLS.

In just one year, Los Angeles has qualified for the Concacaf Champions League and is on the verge of a sixth title. Even better, they do it in style.

Kuntz’s recruits have scored 80 goals or assists between them. His top signing, Pec, won MLS Newcomer of the Year, while Paintsil was a constant threat. Miki Yamane has been a breakthrough in defense, while bringing in players recent Champions League finalist, Marco Reus on a non-DP deal is simply a matter of interest to him.

He took the MLS player out of his contract and is confident that he will be an important part of a contending team. Galaxy left back John Nelson started last year as a starter for St. Louis. Louis City before falling down the pecking order, and then losing his place on the roster.

“Last year, it was a tough year with St. Louis, and the contract and everything wasn’t working out, so honestly, I didn’t know if I was going to play again, and now I’m playing with the LA Galaxy, the biggest team in MLS, and we’re one win away from playing in the MLS Cup,” admitted Nelson on Extra Time Talk. “I’m quite grateful for that.”

His efforts should earn him MLS Executive of the Year honors, but Kuntz is likely focused on the ultimate prize, the MLS Cup. Early in the playoffs, he said Cradle of the Galaxy Podcast, “We were first to five, now we want to be first to five again.”

Kuntz “got” Galaxy.

He got it because he and the front office have been very careful to listen to the fan base. That fan base is directly responsible for bringing about the changes that put Will Kuntz in a position to get LA back to where it needs to be.

And that’s why LA Galaxy fans should be grateful that…

LA Galaxy Supporters Group Boycott Successful

If every action has a reaction and each has consequences, then the LA Galaxy Fan Boycott is a thank you because the Galaxy are two wins away from being crowned 2024 MLS Cup Champions.

Follow the timeline.

After 10 years of bad contracts, league fines for inappropriate transfer deals, and a team content to live in the past, Galaxy fans have seen enough. Their boycott, coupled with poor on-field results, ultimately led to the ouster of former Galaxy President Chris Klein.

Cline’s departure opened the door for Will Kuntz to step in and hit the ground running, bringing a different way of doing business to LA. The transfer strategy is different, the team culture is different, and even the way they engage and communicate with fans is different.

Pending changes lead to recruiting the players needed to put together a winning team, and so on.

The fans’ courageous actions in holding their team accountable were the catalyst for the Galaxy’s resurgence this year. This puts them on the verge of a historic season and sixth title in LA.

A sixth MLS Cup championship for the LA Galaxy is certainly something to be thankful for.

They’ll have to get past a stubborn Seattle team to earn the right to do so, but the Galaxy should be grateful to have their 12th man in the stands at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday to spur them on.

With the disappointments of the previous decade forgivable but not forgotten, LA’s current position as favorites to win the MLS Cup is even sweeter.

Galaxy fans should be grateful for this journey.

Read more: Boycott of Works; Three Thoughts After the Los Angeles Galaxy Fire Chris Klein