For the last couple of weeks, the MLS has been running hot. There are many rumors, signings, departures, and contract extensions to keep up. The 2025 season promises to be the most exciting one in history.
Every team around the league made moves regarding their roster. LA Galaxy secured a contract extension for the football legend and team captain Maya Yoshida.
Among all the starters in the MLS Cup, the captain was the only one whose contract expired after the tournament.
The MLS Cup champion renewed their player for two more years. Yoshida will play the 2025 and 2026 seasons to their fullest.
Yoshida’s Legacy with LA Galaxy
The 36-year-old defender arrived at the club last year in August. Since then, he has been the defense backbone. After proving his value and football skills, Yoshida was named captain after seven games, where he played every minute.
Let’s fast forward to the 2024 MLS season. The Japanese legend had a tough before the season began. LA Galaxy had changed three of the four defensive starters. The former Shalke 04 defender was in charge of forming these young players and turning this new defense into the best one.
Let me tell you, he made it. In the MLS regular season, LA Galaxy only lost eight games out of 34. Adding that, the team finished second in the Western Conference. This ended up with the Galaxy clinching a playoff spot.
Ahead of the playoffs, LA Galaxy made it into the final against the New York Red Bulls. Maya Yoshida, the captain, played the 90 minutes of the match, and, in the end, he lifted the trophy of the MLS Cup.
That’s the reason the LA Galaxy re-signed him for two more years. Yoshida accomplished the one objective he had to complete. Turn the new defense into a winning one.
Maya Yoshida’s stats with the Galaxy
The former Southampton defender played 53 games since arriving to the team in 2023. The Japanese player scored three goals and delivered two assists.
Among the 53 games, he played 4.735 minutes. Being a starter in every one of them, except one in the League Cup against Chivas. According to Transfermarkt
