Tyler Boyd’s move to the U.S. and Galaxy is paying off

Tyler Boyd arrived in training camp with something to prove.

After playing in Turkey and Portugal, Boyd signed a one-year contract with the Galaxy. It’s a contract that didn’t come with any options to extend, noting more than a deal through the end of the 2023 MLS season.

“There were certain negotiations going on and, at the end of the day, I signed a one-year contract,” the forward said Friday. “That was the goal to prove and show that I can contribute to this club and show that I do love this club, that I’ll fight for this club.

“So yeah, it was one-year, sort of show the league what I can do. I did a similar thing in Turkey, where I signed a six-month loan and that turned into 4½ years there, so similar sort of process just showing what I can do in this league and the type of character I have as well.”

As the Galaxy kicks off an important month of September, starting Saturday at home against the Houston Dynamo (7:30 p.m., Apple TV+), Boyd’s prove-it season has been going strong.

Boyd, 28, leads the Galaxy with six goals and has been the team’s most consistent scoring threat.

“I think he’s lived up (to expectations),” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “I don’t really create an expectation in terms of goals, assists and things like that. I think that’s a little bit of a product of guys settling in and just finding his form.

“I think he’s gotten better as the season has progressed. I think he’s learned some things about positional play and what he’s trying to manipulate, but also the timing of movements and also getting familiar with the guys around him on when to make runs and when they will deliver.

“What he brings for us is that relentless willingness to threaten space behind the opposition, to keep moving. We have so many guys that like the ball at their feet and want to play a possession oriented, but you have to have a balance of guys that want to play like that and guys who are willing to run without the ball. Guys who want to play on the move and want to look for the ball on the run and Ty gives us the best version of that.”

Boyd has scored a goal in four of the Galaxy’s last five games, including one in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over San Jose. The victory moved the Galaxy to 28 points in the Western Conference and five behind FC Dallas for the ninth and final playoff spot.

Whatever happens in the final 11 games, Boyd said he would like to remain with the Galaxy next season and possibly beyond.

“I love this club and I want to stay here,” Boyd said. “I’d loved to be here for however many years. It was my dream coming to play here, I specifically chose the Galaxy, I told my agent I wanted to play for the Galaxy, so that’s what we wanted at the start of the season. We came here, I had something to prove, but I’m just grateful to be able to play for this club. I don’t take any moment for granted, I don’t take being in this country again for granted, so it’s all a blessing.”

“To integrate into this group has been so easy, everyone is so fantastic here. It’s one of the more special groups I’ve been part of, down to the staff, to everyone who works for the club, to the fans. It’s been a complete blessing just to be home. I call L.A. home, we had a baby here, so it’s been a really fun season.”