KEYS TO THE GAME BY EXC1TE


ALL EYES ON LA


MAX NELSON

 

Following a 6-2 loss at No. 2 St. Louis City SC on Sunday, the No. 9 LA Galaxy face No. 12 Portland Timbers tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy (9-9-11) drew with the Timbers (9-6-13) 1-1 in the last contest between both clubs at Providence Park on March 22.


1: Come out strong: Pressure the Timbers’ backline.

When LA scores the first goal of the game, they are 18-10. This Galaxy team has been known to not come out strong to start matches nor come out more pressing in the second half. They build themselves into the game, but coming out and pressuring a Portland defense that has given up the second most goals allowed in the Western Conference (54) is vital in a three-game week where you have to manage the roster’s minutes. The Galaxy are only three points ahead of Portland and the Timbers have a game in hand on LA. Forward Robert Taylor stunned with a goal against City SC and his play has been under the radar for what is practically a free transfer. If the Galaxy want to keep its playoff hopes alive, the team must show out and score against Portland.


2: Settle the defense: Don’t let a trend define the season.

I have praised LA’s defense and goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski for his breakout season. However, the Galaxy have allowed 14 goals in its last five games. Defender Justin Haak was a praised signing during the winter transfer window, but has seen a bit of a decline defensively despite playing well with the ball at his feet in the backline. Jakob Glesnes has also seen some spotty starts at center back, which is out of character for 2022’s MLS Defender of the Year. The mentioned three-game week could stretch the backline thin, with typical captain Maya Yoshida and Emiro Garcés probable to see minutes. Left back Julián Aude will likely be rotated out for veteran right back John Nelson and young right back Harbor Miller may move up into the midfield or up on the wing so Calegari can help defensively.


3. Homefield: Showing the house money gamble was a winning hand.

Early on in EXC1TE’s coverage of the Galaxy this season, winning at home was a main focus I posed to head coach Greg Vanney. The Galaxy (5-5-4 at home) are 3-2-0 in its last five home games and have not lost a home match since July 22 against St. Louis City SC. Coming off of the loss against City SC away this Saturday, Vanney said postgame that the focus of the week were the home games. Striker João Klauss agreed, saying that there won’t be talk of Saturday’s loss if they beat Portland tomorrow and San Diego FC on Saturday. It’s a calculated gamble, but it’s up to the Galaxy to show if it was the right one.


EXTRA TIME:

Rotating a squad in MLS is tough with roster conditions and the Galaxy will likely be without Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and Kyōgo Furuhashi. LA is betting on key rotations and scoring to balance out the three-game week.