Winless Galaxy squander lead, lose 10th of season

The LA Galaxy continued the worst start by a defending champion in MLS history, squandering a two-goal lead over the Philadelphia Union en route to a 10th loss in 13 games to begin 2025.

Tai Baribo scored two goals, including the game winner in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, as the Union rallied for a 3-2 victory Wednesday while keeping the Galaxy, who have tied three games, winless on the season.

Nathan Harriel also scored a goal for the Union (8-3-2, 26 points), who increased their unbeaten run to six consecutive games (3-0-3) across all competitions. Goaltender Andrew Rick did not make a save.

Mauricio Cuevas and Diego Fagundez each scored first-half goals for the Galaxy (0-10-3, 3 points), who extended the longest winless streak to open a season in MLS history. John McCarthy made six saves for the defending MLS Cup champions.

The Galaxy took a rare lead when Cuevas scored in the 31st minute just inside the right post off a feed from Marco Reus, who carried the ball in from midfield after a Union turnover. It was just the second time this season the Galaxy had a lead after going up early in an eventual 2-1 loss to Orlando City on March 29.

Just six minutes later, the Galaxy doubled the lead when Fagundez scored, also on a feed from Reus.

The Galaxy's 2-0 halftime lead disappeared quickly in the second half. The Union pulled it back to 2-1 three minutes after the break when Harriel scored on a set play off a corner kick.

Two minutes later, Philadelphia drew level when Baribo scored on a header off a centering pass from Danley Jean Jacques.

Baribo's game winner also came on a header after the Galaxy failed to clear a ball out of their own penalty area. Baribo scored off a pass from Mikael Uhre. Baribo has 10 goals on the season after he entered the match in a tie for the league lead.

The victory came as the Union dominated scoring chances, finding the back of the net twice on 24 shots, including nine on goal. The Galaxy, who have allowed an MLS-high 31 goals, scored their two goals on four shots.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this recap.