MLS Cup MVP Gastón Brugman is no longer a Los Angeles Galaxy player.
Twelve days after the Uruguayan midfielder provided the opening assist in MLS Cup and became match MVP in the Galaxy’s 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls, the team announced today that they’d acquired Nashville SC Midfielder Sean Davis in exchange for Brugman.
Although the 32-year-old had fallen down the pecking order through injury this season, starting only 14 times, he was a vital part of the group that captured the Galaxy’s sixth MLS Cup. He became the hero in the title game, putting in an inspired MLS Cup MVP performance to help the Galaxy earn their first trophy in 10 years in Talisman Riqui Puig’s absence.
The midfielder is the second player to leave the 2024 MLS Cup champion in the off-season, with Veteran Uruguayan Defender Martin Cáceres departing LA last week.
A former Galaxy captain, Brugman notched six goals and 10 assists in 71 appearances (55 starts) across all competitions in three seasons in LA. In 2024, he provided six assists in 29 appearances for the Galaxy.
MLS Cup MVP and Former Galaxy Captain Gastón Brugman Exchanged to Nashville For Sean Davis
What are the Brugman/Davis Deal Details?
Being successful has a price, namely losing an MLS Cup MVP-quality player.
In a perfect world, the reigning champs would have been able to hold onto Brugman. But with the Galaxy facing rising salaries through Dejan Joveljić no longer being a U-22 player and Gabriel Pec’s doing the same as he’s no longer a young DP, LA had no choice but to cash in on Brugman.
“To maintain a championship-caliber roster in Major League Soccer, teams are often forced to make difficult contractual decisions, and today’s trade is evidence of that,” LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz said via a team press release.
“Gastón is a fierce competitor, an incredible teammate, and an even better person. He made countless contributions to the Galaxy on the field and in the locker room, during his time with the club, and none was more important than his 2024 MLS Cup MVP performance earlier this month. We wish Gastón and his family all the best in this next step in his career.”
As part of the deal, Nashville SC will retain a portion of Davis’s 2025 salary budget charge, and receive a conditional $100,000 in 2026 general allocation money (GAM) if Davis meets certain performance metrics.
Read More: 2024 LA Galaxy Among the Best Teams in MLS History
Who is Sean Davis?
Davis is a 10-year MLS veteran.
The experienced midfielder was a big part of the New York Red Bulls teams that captured Supporters’ Shields in 2015 and 2018. In 2018, he chipped into the Red Bulls Shield run with eight assists in 32 league appearances (30 starts). In seven seasons played with New York, the New Jersey native recorded seven goals and 25 assists in 208 matches.
Davis scored his first MLS goal in a 2–2 draw against the LA Galaxy on August 12, 2016.
He was named Red Bulls captain at the beginning of the 2020 season.
“Sean brings a wealth of experience, as an MLS homegrown player, former captain, and two-time Supporters Shield winner, that will greatly benefit the Galaxy roster on and off the pitch,” Kuntz said of the Galaxy’s new signing.
“We look forward to adding Sean to our midfield group as we build towards the beginning of the 2025 campaign.”
The Galaxy probably isn’t looking for Davis to replace Brugman outright, especially not after an inspired MLS Cup MVP performance. Not a like-for-like player, Davis is certain to be a depth piece rather than a starter.
His signing brings down the Galaxy’s wage bill, while also not sacrificing too much of their midfield quality.
What Does Brugman’s Departure Mean For the Galaxy?
As mentioned above, Brugman’s loss has repercussions, both on and off the field. How the Galaxy deals with his departure might make or break whether the Galaxy is able to repeat as champions next year or pick up any silverware.
Off the field, his sale is unfortunate, but means the Galaxy have financial flexibility heading into a season where they will be tested in multiple competitions. By wiping Brugman’s salary off the books for 2025, the Galaxy saved $1,409,000. Add in Cáceres’ salary of $656,667, and LA is up about $2 Million on just these two players, minus Davis’s salary.
These funds will be essential in strengthening a team that will challenge for a minimum of four trophies next season. The way they are used will be instrumental in making sure Puig’s absence isn’t felt too heavily.
For the moment, with the Galaxy’s roster yet incomplete, it seems LA will rely on a combination of Mark Delgado, Diego Fagundez, and former Champions League Finalist Marco Reus to man the midfield as starters. Should LA enter the season as is, their midfield starting depth and quality will be severely tested.
This is part of the reason Brugman’s departure hasn’t been met well by his former teammates or Galaxy supporters.
Never shy about posting to social media, Puig commented, “This isn’t the way,” on Instagram.
Galaxy fans are ready to squabble up as well, demanding to know how LA could deal away a fan favorite and MLS Cup MVP.
With Brugman proving his worth in key moments for the Galaxy, it’ll be worth watching who LA replaces the MLS Cup MVP with.