CARSON, Calif. – Make no mistake, the LA Galaxy head into their annual California Clásico fixture with the San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium in a foul mood.
The Galaxy are currently winless in their last six games and have not scored a goal in 302 minutes dating back to their 3-2 road loss to the Montreal Impact on May 28. To add to their recent woes, Los Angeles is a meager 1-3-3 away from StubHub Center with their lone win coming on April 15.
After starting the season with a single loss in 11 matches, why have the Galaxy slipped in recent weeks?
“We’ve been changing lineups a lot,” defender Dave Romney said after the Galaxy’s scoreless draw with the Rapids on Wednesday. “A lot of guys in different spots because of guys away on international duty and guys injured and stuff like that. It’s just tough getting used to each other again.”
Take a look at the data and it certainly backs up Romney’s claim, as the Galaxy have used 18 different lineups in all competitions this season. With players missing time due to international call-ups, injuries, and suspensions, Galaxy boss Bruce Arena has given time to 17 different players this year.
The Galaxy will trot out their 16th different lineup—and 19th across all competitions—on Saturday with Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole likely to regain their starting roles. Gerrard, who went 29 minutes on Wednesday after recovering from a hamstring injury, was bullish about returning to the starting lineup.
“I’m feeling OK, and I’ll be telling the manager that I’m ready to start come the weekend,” Gerrard said. “I’ll be in from the start of the weekend.”
With Gerrard and Cole likely to return to the lineup on Saturday, the Galaxy are hopeful that a little continuity could help them break out of their recent slide.
“We need to provide the offensive line … with more creativity. It’s not only the problem with the forwards. It has to come from somewhere - the back and the midfielders as well,” midfielder Nigel de Jong said. “I’m happy Stevie is back for the next game because he will provide that piece of creativity. Let’s try to get a streak with everybody fit and that we can play with each other for at least 3-4 games so we can get to know each other and just get the hang of the movements of each other … because you need that if you want to be a championship team.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
