Los Angeles Galaxy: Team gives one away on the road
By Mary Coyne
With almost full roster on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Galaxy was poised to win their second consecutive match of the season.
Instead, sloppy play and a second half rally by the Whitecaps gave Vancouver a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.
With the return of Gyasi Zardes, who hasn’t seen action since last August, and Ashley Cole, the Galaxy had to feel good about their chances against the winless Whitecaps.
Los Angeles started off steady with goalie Clement Diop making a highlight-reel save only minutes into the game. Soon after, however, he inexplicably came charging out of the box nowhere near the ball allowing Vancouver to score. It was a definite head scratching moment.
Frenchman Romain Alessandrini continued to impress for the Galaxy scoring two in a 4 minutes span and the half finished with the Galaxy up 2-1.
Then things took a dramatic turn. The final 45 minutes of play saw individual mistakes, sloppy passes and a weak defense by the Galaxy allowing the Whitecaps to score three goals.
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Players were shaking their heads afterward and placing blame all around.
Captain Jelle van Damme did not hold back telling LA Galaxy Insider, “We f***d up pretty bad today. It’s all personal mistakes. This cannot happen.”
Galaxy Coach Onalfo was also visibly frustrated with how his team gave it away in the second half telling reporters, “We gifted the second goal, and we just gave them the third. We literally just passed the ball to their player. It’s simple as that. Good teams are going to punish you when you make errors like that.”
There were a few bright spots – if you looked hard enough. Ema Boateng and Alessandrini continued to produce and do exactly what they’re supposed to do: pass and score. Also, it was encouraging to see Zardes, who came off the bench and played the final 23 minutes, look strong in his debut after so many months off.
The Galaxy is now in 10th place behind Minnesota. With only three points, they have a seven gap to make up to contend for the first place spot that is currently held by the Portland Timbers.
I’m thinking it’s early in the season and with so many roster changes due to injury and international play, the team is not yet in their rhythm. But they have time to work out some of these issues and if everyone stay healthy, I have no doubt they will.
Next up for the team is a Friday matchup at home verses the winless Montreal Impact.