2023 Major League Soccer Predictions: Western Conference

Oct 30, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; 
The Los Angeles FC celebrate the win over the Austin FC
Oct 30, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles FC celebrate the win over the Austin FC | Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
14 of 15

2. Los Angeles Galaxy

Oct 20, 2022; Los Angeles, California, US; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig Marti (6)
Oct 20, 2022; Los Angeles, California, US; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig Marti (6) | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Last season finish: 50 points; 4th in West, 8th in League; Lost in Conference Semis
Player to watch: M Riqui Puig

I don't know why I picked the Los Angeles Galaxy to finish second in the Western Conference. Call it a hunch I guess.

This has been the most disappointing club in MLS for almost a decade, but the Greg Vanney project is finally coming to pass. The former Toronto FC manager has build a strong squad built upon arguably the best midfield in the league. That trio --- highlighted by MVP candidate Riqui Puig --- combined with a pair of dynamite strikers gives me enough faith to ride the Galaxy wave.