Los Angeles Galaxy With a Sputter Start to Their Season

A lack luster performance against first place Whitecaps FC last week has catapulted high anxiety amongst southern Californians.

The defending and 5-time champion Galaxy are struggling five games into the season. Relax everyone, it’s five games into the season!  

Are they struggling? Absolutely. Do they need to figure out some things in the attack? Indeed.  

It was a poor effort in Vancouver, no doubt about that, lazy defending, a sad offensive display (just one shot on frame) and two goals that could have been better defended.

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But you know what helps bad losses? Recovery time.

Eight full days of rest, recovery and resetting mentally for the long season ahead. The L.A. Galaxy have struggled traditionally after winning the title.  The stats, courtesy of lagalaxy.com, are still nothing to be terrified if you are a fan and the 2012 season proves just that. It was a 2-3 start after the first five matches.

They also finished 4th in the West and 8th overall, but the final result was another title, making it their 4th overall and 2nd straight. Currently they sit at 1-2-2, 8th in the conference and match up Sunday with the Seattle Sounders who sit at 2-1-1 and 5th in the conference. 

Seattle has been the team that L.A has matched up with pretty tightly the last few years. Last season they each came away with a victory along with a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. And of course last season’s Western Conference Championship, in which the Galaxy advanced on a goal after a second leg 2-1 defeat in Seattle. The slim edge sways towards the Galaxy because of their dominance at home against the Sounders who have not produced a win in Los Angeles the last five seasons.

Apr 4, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps defender Kendall Watson (4) celebrates forward Octavio Rivero (29) goal against LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo (18) (not pictured) during the second half at BC Place. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

So is there still reason for concern? Surely.

The Sounders have some offensive talent that will try to take advantage of the struggling defending champs. Everyone knows Clint Dempsey is a vital weapon on the attack, he currently has 3 goals and 2 assists in his first three matches. Pair that with Nigerian forward, Obafemi Martins who also has scored a goal in each contest. Omar Gonzalez hasn’t been anchoring the defense as solid as seasons past. Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo has allowed 3 goals in 2 starts.  

The club has injuries to forward Jose Villareal (hamstring), defender Leonardo (quad strain) and the 6-foot Finnish Mika Vayrynen injured his calf last match against the Whitecaps —  these type of injuries are tedious and need cautious care. Villareal is the closest to recovery for the struggling Galaxy but will have to take his time if he wants to be a key component in the offense all season long. He leads the team in assists with two.

Bottom Line: Don’t forget the Galaxy aren’t even operating at 100%

So who can they look to for a spark? — Maybe some leadership, a little motivation, some energy to build on? One of the veterans like Edson Buddle or Juninho, perhaps? Head coach Bruce Arena and I would probably agree that anyone would be beneficial. Reigning MLS MVP Robbie Keane and rising star Gyasi Zardes have hit somewhat of a slump, as the top two offensive weapons for Arena last season have come up empty in the last two matches.

As a team, there has to be improvement in the attack, producing one goal in the last three games will not get it done in this league.

If the Galaxy can contend on Sunday with a slim victory or a tie, it will do wonders for them moving forward. They’re not 100-percent healthy but good rest and a reset mentally can be vital, especially in their current position.  

Even coming up short in a high scoring match might do the trick believe it or not. Just like in basketball, once a player watches the ball go into the net, it can open up the flood gates.  That’s exactly what L.A needs to boost their offense. It won’t be the end of the season if the Galaxy come up short on Sunday against the Sounders but it certainly helps to get a solid win against a quality opponent.