Well here we go.... the battle for a playoff spot begins. Hard to believe we are still in 6th place in the West after not winning in 9 games! Luckily the results went our way this past weekend, but now we have to start winning games again if we want to make a playoff appearance. Let's hope the time off has allowed Vanney and team to figure things out.... Let's Go Galaxy!!
The way this team's been playing, they don't deserve playoffs. They are very lucky that other teams keep losing because they still have a shot. They need to get it together and start the hot streak.
It’s pretty simple - the team defense has to get better. Its ridiculous that we can’t get shutouts, even when playing at home against weak teams. Those used to be almost automatic. I still don’t understand how Vanney hasn’t improved this aspect of our team. Team defense is one of the most teachable tactics in soccer and a good coach demands this of their players. Why an obviously sharp guy like Vanney hasn’t fixed this issue at all is a question that vexes me greatly.
Yeah, a hot streak. I can go for that. Light the candles, burn the sage and make salt circle around you picture of Vanney. We are gonna need a small miracle the way the Timbers are playing. This match is going to be a long one.
I agree. I really think the issue is still more in the midfield than the backline - we did all these additions to the backline - but our midfield got way worse at defending this year - we picked up Raveloson, who we thought was a 6 but he's really an 8, Cabral (brought in for his offense, doesn't off much on defense), Grandsir (same) and Vazquez. (I'm a better defender than he is) And then we've seen a stark drop-off in form from our two midfield stalwarts in JDS and Lletget. So the stats show that our backline is put under more pressure than almost any backline in the league, because the midfield in front of them is really really poor at defending. Of course, replace them with more defensive-minded players and we don't score any goals... But I think you have to start with the defense and go from there. I guess we will see what Vanney does this weekend - he's had 2 weeks to figure things out and turn it around...
I will keep posting it until I see it from the start ----------------DeJan----Chicha Efra-------Raveloson---Llegett---Grandsir Villafana----Williams---Sega-------Araujo If we are still suffering from injuries with the back 4 then of course the next best man up accordingly. For the midfield,...bring in JDS, Sasha or Vasquez after minute 65 if we need a goal and someone is dragging heavy legs. . I want Cabral and Zubak as subs for DeJan and Chicha only as I don't want them to do no more than sniff the fresh cut grass of the pitch from the bench. They only get in the game if either Chicharito or DeJan is hurt; or if we are up by 3 goals. Otherwise I want Chicha and DeJan going 90 from here on out.
I agree the biggest problem is in midfield. But a lot of midfield defending comes from simple awareness and effort. Barcelona is filled with offensive minded midfielders but they've been trained on how to keep team shape and recover quickly on turnovers. Even players like Vazquez can be taught how to play team defense even if he is a crappy 1 on 1 defender. But the coach has to teach it and demand it. They can start by recognizing it. I almost never hear Vanney yelling at players during games to get back or calling for more defensive midfield help during sideline interviews. Instead it is usually "we need to play faster, be sharper with the ball." And if he is saying it, it isn't getting through. I thought of this while watching the US game vs CR. Bob said at halftime "I think we played really well. We just need to keep doing that and we will be fine." If I were coach I would have started by saying "we just can't leave players wide open in the box and expect to win." Because that is exactly what we did in the first minute. Literally the only way we were going to lose to that CR team was if we made it real easy for them, which we did. The Galaxy do the same.
I'm confused. Everyone shits on Vasquez for being terrible defensively but... When I see him (and I really like to watch him play because he has class that no one else seems to have on this circus of a team), he's hustling. He's 34. He's not gonna tackling everywhere cause that's not his job. I've seen him put in the effort to win the ball back. More than that tronco Lletget does.
Should the Galaxy go back to someone like Saldana at Defensive Mid? He's young and had his problems early on, but he was a dedicated defensive mid who could pass and, as others have noted, neither JDS nor Raveloson have truly played like a dedicated DM.
Whoof. What can I say? What's this team's collective ceiling when actually playing really well? Losing 2-1 to RSL apparently. Maybe homefield advantage is enough to make a difference but frankly, man-for-man, we're just a mediocre team. Even if this team puts an excellent match together, I'm skeptical it's enough to beat a team like Portland. Frankly, I think we're built in such a way it's easy to undermine us, even when playing very well. Much poorer teams have done it. We'll need a bit of luck and someone unexpected to chip in with goalscoring.
I'm blaming Vanney if we get scored on by a cross or another over-the-top pass again. This is the responsibility of the coach to practice these.
This is probably the meanest thing I've ever said, but honestly I've never seen a player as useless as Saldana. Literally only plays side to side. Can't do a through ball to save his life. Can't win the ball. Isn't strong. Isn't fast. I'd rather see Jorge Hernandez from G2.
I just looked at Portland's recent form and wow.... 7 wins in their last 8 and 1 draw. This will be a tough one.
The law of averages says that sooner or later we have to be the beneficiary of a trap game. Hopefully that game is tonight...
I've been stepping a way a bit, partly due to my lack of enthusiasm over our poor play, partly because my wife injured her back and I'm having to work from home and take care of our son more (Kindergarten ftw, at least). Lletget's international break wasn't the best, I honestly DON'T want him called up anymore. Hopefully it'll be a wakeup call to get his act together, both for the club and the Nats if he earns another spot.
Well can’t say I’m super confident in this lineup: Vamos Angelinos!#LAvPOR x @ModeloUSA— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) October 17, 2021
Unlike last weekend, other results aren’t going the way we want so far. This game is really important.
At this point in the season, our recent form, and where we're at in the table, every match is important.
I'm not entirely against the lineup, Chich DID work better earlier in the season with someone else with him, but Victor? How is he a striker? I see him maybe as a playmaking false 9?