Commentary: The MLS Cup Curse is real, and the Galaxy are determined to beat it
LA TimesBefore joining the Galaxy two years ago, Christian Ramírez spent two seasons with the Columbus Crew, winning an MLS Cup one year and then failing to get out of the first round of the playoffs the next. And if the Galaxy, who won the MLS Cup last season, didn’t know that already they certainly found out Sunday when they opened defense of their title with a listless, lifeless 2-0 loss to San Diego FC. The loss was the team’s first at Dignity Health Sports Park in 22 games and made the Galaxy the first reigning MLS champion to lose their season opener to an expansion team. “It’s a little bit of the curse of the championship.” And the MLS Cup Curse is real. A big reason for the MLS Cup Curse is the league’s complicated, merciless and convoluted salary structure, which punishes success by making it tough to squeeze the performance bonuses and the raises that come with a championship under a frugal budget cap.
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