LA Galaxy 2018 season preview: Roster, projected lineup, schedule, national TV and more

Following a disastrous campaign, the Galaxy hope an injection of talent will help get the club back near the top of the MLS standings

The LA Galaxy are not a team accustomed to having seasons like 2017.

The only club in Major League Soccer history to win five MLS Cups finished at the bottom of the league last year in a campaign filled with injuries, underachievement and turmoil.

Bruce Arena's handpicked successor Curt Onalfo did not even last a full season, as the club's former boss Sigi Schmid was brought on in July to help right the ship.

With Schmid at the helm, some shrewd offseason acquisitions and other key players returning to health, the Galaxy are optimistic they can make last season a blip and return to their accustomed spot atop the league in 2018.

How did the LA Galaxy perform in 2017?

2017 finish: 11th place in the Western Conference (8-18-8), missed the playoffs.

The Galaxy tied with D.C. United for the fewest points in MLS (32) in the 2017 season. Injuries to Sebastian Lletget, Gyasi Zardes and Jermaine Jones took their toll, as well as indifferent seasons from highly regarded players such as Giovani dos Santos and Jelle Van Damme.

The Galaxy were especially appalling at StubHub Center, posting a 3-9-5 mark to become one of two MLS teams to have a losing record at home in 2017.

LA Galaxy's key offseason losses

Jermaine Jones was brought in to provide a steadying veteran presence in midfield, but he departs after a season blighted by injuries.

The Galaxy have been lauded for their academy in the past, but the team notably declined the options on several players who came up through the club's youth ranks, including Jose Villarreal, Jack McBean, Raul Mendiola and Jaime Villarreal.

Another former homegrown signing, Gyasi Zardes, was traded to Columbus after scoring just 14 goals in three seasons following his breakout campaign of 2014, in which he netted 16 times.

LA Galaxy's key offseason additions

Heading the other way in the Zardes trade was striker Ola Kamara, who has established himself as one of the league's best scorers since arriving in Columbus in 2016.

The Galaxy also landed Perry Kitchen, who should improve the team's central midfield after the former D.C. United star spent two seasons in Europe. Kitchen's former D.C. teammate Chris Pontius was also added after re-establishing himself as a dangerous attacking option in Philadelphia.

Venezuela international Rolf Feltscher and Norway international Jorgen Skjelvik were brought in on free transfers to help stabilize the club's back line, which was a major weak spot last season.

David Bingham was also acquired to help the club concede fewer goals. The former San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper has been in the U.S. national team picture over the past few years, but lost his starting position with the Quakes down the stretch in 2017.

Full LA Galaxy roster entering 2018 season

Goalkeepers: David Bingham, Brian Sylvestre

Defenders: Hugo Arellano, Michael Ciani, Ashley Cole, Rolf Feltscher, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Emrah Klimenta, Dave Romney, Jorgen Skjelvik, Daniel Steres

Midfielders: Romain Alessandrini, Emmanuel Boateng, Servando Carrasco, Jonathan dos Santos, Baggio Husidic, Perry Kitchen, Sebastian Lletget, Joao Pedro

Forwards: Giovani dos Santos, Bradford Jamieson IV, Ola Kamara, Ariel Lassiter, Chris Pontius

LA Galaxy's projected starting lineup

Newcomers abound in the Galaxy's projected lineup, with fresh faces throughout the spine of the team.

Bingham will assume the starting goalkeeper role, which has been a problem spot for the Galaxy over the past several years. In defense, Skjelvik and Feltscher will start, with impressive rookie Hilliard-Arce likely to be given a chance in central defense at some point.

The team has solid depth in midfield, with Carrasco, Joao Pedro and Husidic able to spell Kitchen and Jonathan dos Santos in the middle, and Pontius and Boateng providing depth out wide.

Kamara is the undisputed top striker, but the Galaxy could look to move Giovani dos Santos up top in a two-striker look, or they could use the Mexico international further back in a No. 10 role.

LA Galaxy's national TV coverage

LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers - Sunday, March 4, at 10 p.m. ET on FS1

LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles FC - Sunday, March 31, at 3 p.m. ET on Fox

LA Galaxy vs. Sporting KC - Sunday, April 8, at 9 p.m. ET on FS1

Chicago Fire vs. LA Galaxy - Saturday, April 14, at 3:30 p.m. ET on Univision Deportes

FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy - Saturday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m. ET on UniMas

LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes - Friday, May 25, at 11 p.m. ET on UniMas

Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy - Saturday, June 2, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy - Saturday, June 30, at 10 p.m. ET on UniMas

Los Angeles FC vs. LA Galaxy - Thursday, July 26, at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

LA Galaxy vs. Orlando City - Sunday, July 29, at 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1

Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy - Saturday, Aug. 18, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN

LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles FC - Friday, Aug. 24, at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders - Sunday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. ET on FS1