The Los Angeles Galaxy very nearly backed their way into the playoffs. In the end, they probably deserved to sneak in, based on the quality of their play in the latter stages of the season, bar a couple of loose performances and results here and there.
But, ultimately, one of the most storied franchises in Major League Soccer, for the second-straight season, would be watching the postseason from the comforts of their own living rooms. It was not a successful campaign in LA.
Had they squeezed into the playoffs, the LA Galaxy would have had one man and one man only to thank — and he would have been more than happy to be adorned with the praise.