Ashley Cole Was a Legend at Chelsea and a Troubled Captain at LA Galaxy

In 2016, Cole made the call to head west and join LA Galaxy. But was that the right move for the English left-back, or just the final breath of a once-brilliant career on the decline? What should've been a crowning chapter in Major League Soccer (MLS) turned into a rollercoaster of highs and too many red cards. You can't deny it—Cole’s time with the Galaxy felt more like a show with too many bloopers and a heavy dose of drama.

The expectations were through the roof, and why wouldn't they be? We’re talking about a guy who was a key player at Chelsea, widely regarded as one of the best left-backs of his generation. When he landed in LA, he was welcomed like royalty. And at first, he showed up with something to prove. His debut in a 0-0 draw against Santos Laguna made it clear: Cole wasn’t just there for a retirement tour. In his first regular-season game, he played the full 90 minutes, with the kind of intensity that earned him praise from coach Bruce Arena alongside Nigel de Jong, another veteran signing.

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But then things took a turn—fast. Cole, who was supposed to be the experienced leader guiding the team, soon became the star of controversies and red cards. His first dismissal came in May, after two quick yellows. Just 32 seconds after his first caution, he was off. A clumsy foul on Benny Feilhaber left the ref with no choice. And it wasn’t long before it happened again. By June, he was ejected for the second time in the season, and by then, the fans were losing patience.

It’s almost poetic—or better yet, ironic—that a player of Cole’s caliber, who had faced the world’s top attackers, couldn’t make it through half a season in MLS without getting sent off. It’s like the shine of his star had been dulled by frustration and the inevitable slowing down that comes with age. Cole, who used to command the backline like a conductor, had become just another veteran struggling to prove he still had what it takes.

Of course, there were still flashes of brilliance. In August 2016, Cole netted his first Galaxy goal, and it wasn’t just any goal—a last-minute equalizer against the New York Red Bulls. But even that wasn’t enough to save the Galaxy, who were knocked out of the playoffs by the Colorado Rapids on penalties. And guess who missed their spot-kick? Yep, Cole. To make it even more poignant, his old England teammate Steven Gerrard was retiring after that game. In the end, Cole had the dignity to apologize publicly, a painful moment for two English legends whose careers faded far from the spotlight of home.

The following year? More of the same. More red cards, more mediocre performances, and to top it all off, the Galaxy finished dead last in the standings. Dead last! Unheard of for such a storied franchise. And there was Cole, no longer the game-changer he once was. By the end of 2017, after another red card and yet another frustrating season, it seemed like the end of the road was near.

But Ashley Cole’s story with LA Galaxy wasn’t quite over. In 2018, coach Sigi Schmid named him team captain, a nod to his leadership off the field, because, on it, his performances didn’t exactly justify the armband. Sadly, the season didn’t deliver the redemption Galaxy fans were hoping for. The team missed the playoffs again, and by the end of the year, Cole was released.

So, what went wrong? Did Cole come to MLS thinking he could dominate as easily as he did in the Premier League? Maybe the faster pace, different environment, and lack of focus all played a part in his uneven performances. Or maybe MLS isn’t as easy as some European players think. It’s a growing league, with more competitive teams, where veterans often find themselves as expendable pieces.

Cole’s time at LA Galaxy was a mix of disappointment, red cards, and the occasional moment of brilliance. Throughout his stint, he showed that while talent might be timeless, time itself is unforgiving. He wasn’t the same player who could single-handedly shut down an attack. In the end, his farewell wasn’t a celebration of applause and trophies, but a quiet release, a reminder that for many, decline comes quietly, without warning.

Maybe even the brightest stars eventually fall. But unlike what some might think, that doesn’t erase the greatness of their past achievements. And in Cole’s case, his story will be remembered not for his red cards at Galaxy, but for his glory days in England. Still, there's no denying that his time in the U.S. left a bittersweet taste—a reminder of a once-giant player who, in the end, lost his way.