There are several questions facing the Galaxy this season, next season and beyond.

A good one: “Where would the Galaxy be without Marco Reus?”

After 12 seasons with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, Reus arrived late in the 2024 season. Last year, he made just 21 appearances. This season, the 37-year-old midfielder has been a key factor as to why the Galaxy are currently above the playoff line and even entertaining the thought of a run in the MLS postseason.

Where would they be without him? It would probably be an ugly situation.

“He is just so smart and smooth and aware,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Reus. “The quality that he brings into different situations is so unique. He gets a lot of things ticking in there and gets things moving from that possession phase into that final action.”

As of Saturday, the eighth-place Galaxy (10-11-10, 40 points) lead ninth-place Colorado by a point and Real Salt Lake, with 36 points, is just outside the playoff line.

Reus has made 29 appearances this season and has eight goals, with 12 assists. He has three goals and three assists in the Galaxy’s 3-1-2 stretch heading into Sunday’s second El Trafico meeting with sixth-place LAFC (12-9-10, 46 points).

“So much quality inside of what he’s capable of doing,” Vanney said.

Even when Reus wasn’t in the starting lineup, he made an impact. In just 32 minutes against Minnesota United on Sept. 19, he scored a goal and had an assist, turning a deficit into a 3-2 Galaxy victory.

The load is more than he likely would have if the Galaxy had a healthy Riqui Puig. Reus is approaching 2,000 minutes in MLS play.

The Galaxy might have finally found the midfield combination that has unlocked Reus, with Pablo Ruiz and Sergi Roberto joining the club.

Add in a late-season scoring run from João Klauss and the Galaxy are feeling good about things. Klauss has four goals since returning Sept. 12.

“I would say we are not where we should be in terms of the connection and that we control the middle more,” Reus said. “But of course, when you bring someone like Sergi (Roberto) in who understands the game really well, the same with Pablo (Ruiz), it makes it easier for me to control the middle.

“But I think we can do better, and that’s a good thing … We can manage our options, relationships on the field even better, so we are working on that every day. In sports, in general, especially for our team, it’s about consistency in every detail. That’s the most important thing.”

Earlier this season, Reus signed an extension through December 2027. After struggling with nagging injuries in 2024 and last year, his availability has been a strength this season.

“I love this game, I love to train with the team, I love to be involved on the pitch, that’s for me the most important thing,” Reus said. “If I don’t have the fire anymore inside of me, then it will be the time for me to say, ‘OK, that’s enough.’ Now, I feel it still inside of me and it’s very important for me to play my game, to have fun, to enjoy the time with my teammates. I’m just enjoying the time and hopefully we can finish the season strong.”

After Sunday, Reus and the Galaxy have two games remaining.

GALAXY (10-11-10, 40 points) at LAFC (12-9-10, 46 points)

When: 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: BMO Stadium

TV/Radio: Apple TV/710 AM, ESPN App (English), 980 AM, 1230 AM, SiriusXM FC 188, SiriusXM 176, Sirius Soccer en Español 1999