LA Galaxy have become the antagonists of Major League Soccer

Every sports league needs a team that fans love to hate – an antagonist. For Major League Soccer, the LA Galaxy have become that team.

Every major sports league in America needs an antagonist. A team that fans love to hate. A team that people will watch play purely in the hopes to see them handed a loss. The NFL has the Patriots, the MLB has the Yankees, and the Warriors are becoming the bad guys of the NBA. For MLS, it is time for the LA Galaxy to become the antagonists of American soccer.

First, and most importantly, they have the stature. It may be hard for some to admit, but the Galaxy are the most successful team in the history of MLS, and by a bit of a margin.

They have made it to nine MLS Cup finals, winning five, the highest amount of any team in the league. The LA Galaxy have won the Supporters’ Shield four times, and have also won the U.S Open Cup twice, while making it to the final on two other occasions.

Most impressive, they are one of only two MLS teams to have won the CONCACAF Champions League. They have been consistently up in the league table since the inception of MLS in 1996, with the last place finish last season proving to be quite the fall from grace.

This history makes it easy for LA Galaxy fans to brag about their success, no matter how poor the team is doing in the present. Last season was quite the anomaly, as LA finished dead last, picking up the Wooden Spoon.

However, the organization responded with an impressive off-season, making the necessary adjustments which seems to have put the LA Galaxy back on the right track. This season will most likely see the team back into the playoffs, and they have all the ingredients needed to make a deep run. If they are able to add yet another trophy to their collection, their fanbase might just become unbearable to deal with.

Historically, and in the modern day, the LA Galaxy are always able to bring in a big name signing. The Designated Player rule was created just so LA could sign David Beckham. He was soon followed by Premier League legend Robbie Keane.

At the time, they were far and away the best players in the league. With Landon Donovan beside them, the Galaxy won three titles in four seasons, establishing a true dynasty. Once they all retired, Los Angeles was able to replace them with names of equal star power. Steven Gerrard might not have produced on the field, but he brought plenty of attention to LA.

After he moved on, the Galaxy continued to bring in some marketable names. The team recently brought in both of the Dos Santos brothers, and former Ligue 1 star Romain Alessandrini.

Now, they can add Zlatan Ibrahimovic to that illustrious list, who they were able to sign to a TAM contract, for crying out loud.

More from MLS Multiplex

For fans of other MLS teams, this has become quite the annoyance. Most teams in the league cannot afford to bring in stars of such value, having to settle for lesser known players for less money. Teams have to find hidden gems across the world, while it seems the Galaxy are handed any big name player that wants to come to the league.

It is no coincidence that the Galaxy will be getting a lot more media coverage than any other team for the foreseeable future. The match against LAFC was on main FOX, and their next game against Sporting Kansas City will be broadcasted on FS1.

Even the game against the Chicago Fire after will be available on Univision. This extended coverage also applies to social media. A quick glance at the MLS Twitter account shows just how much the league tweeted ahead of Zlatan’s debut, and his subsequent performance.

For now, this is not too much of a problem. The Zlatan goal was well worth the attention it received. However, it won’t be long until everything Ibra and the LA Galaxy do becomes a focal point.

Remember what happened when David Beckham first came to America? There would be a separate camera just focused on the Englishman, even if he was sat on the bench. Any store that sold jerseys became stocked full of “BECKHAM 23” kits, making it much harder to find apparel for any other team.

His wife even had her own show called “Victoria Beckham: Coming to America” (which, admittedly, was really good, for whatever reason). With Zlatan’s personality, and his constant praise of himself, every press conference of his will be talked about to no end. Pregame coverage will pay more attention to what Galaxy players are doing in their free time instead of what is actually happening on the field. It won’t be long until fans begin to grow tiresome of all the attention given to the Galaxy.

For MLS, having a team that everyone despises will only help the league. Viewership ratings will increase, as fans from across the country will tune in with the hopes of seeing the villainous Galaxy defeated. This will lead to LA fans only becoming more supportive of the team, filling in the StubHub center to watch their team take on all comers.

Next: MLS Week Five Power Rankings

The league has been waiting for a villian, and it seems the Galaxy are set to become the team that everyone loves to hate.