PASADENA, Calif. -- LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena addressed reporters after LA's 2-1 defeat to FC Barcelona in International Champions Cup.
The Galaxy are now top of the ICC table after the result.
On how the reserves played in the second half tonight:
ARENA: "They did well, I think it is a fabulous experience for them. Some of those kids are 19 years old, playing against an outstanding club, obviously in the second half, Barcelona went with some young players as well, but for our guys, I don't think Keane and Gerrard need these games as much as the young kids need the experience. You can tell them a lot of things, but until they actually step on the field and experience it against quality players, they don't fully comprehend. Tonight for our young players it was an invaluable experience."
On not playing full force against Barcelona tonight and how it affects MLS:
ARENA: "I don't think that has anything to do with it. I think us playing our full team for 90 minutes doesn't mean a thing and a win in these games as opposed to a loss is insignificant, I don't think it matters. Did you see us play Juventus two years ago? Were you standing up and shouting that our league is great because we won an exhibition against Juventus, it is an exhibition, relax, it is good for both teams. I think tonight was good for the fans, mission accomplished. We have a more important game on Saturday, we are trying to get our team ready for that. We had a couple players injured tonight, which isn't good, you don't go out against Barcelona and play half speed, to be able to get through 45 minutes with both teams was good. I think a result like we had last year versus Manchester United is not a good statement for our league but tonight we are not embarrassed at all by our performance."
On the play of Ariel Lassiter:
ARENA: "The young players, and Ariel, was in over his head as was Maganto I thought in the first half, but good experiences for them. Ariel got into the game and got a little bit better, going forward he is real good but he still needs to learn how to go the other way, it is an important part of the game. I think the experience for our players when they see the spacing Barcelona has possession is incredible and you think about sticking Neymar in that lineup and Messi, with that kind of spacing, they cut teams apart. The other part that is outstanding for Barcelona is when they lose the ball, how they pressure. I think in the first half they were outstanding in not letting us get any kind of rhythm or connect passes, they really got after the ball. They were outstanding in that area."
On the play of Bradford Jamieson IV:
ARENA: "Good young player who is going to need time, he is still 19 years old, he has got to get stronger and a little bit tougher. It is going to take a little time, he is a couple years away probably, but I think he is a player with a lot of potential and hopefully a good future."
On BaggioHusidic's injury:
ARENA: "I don't know if he will be ready, a slight little strain in his [right] calf. Good thing that we got him out early, hopefully he can recover, we will just have to wait and see."
On Sebastian Lletget:
ARENA: "A little bit of a tight muscle, but I think he is going to be fine."
On the play of Raul Mendiola:
ARENA: "Good, he is a very competitive kid who has to get better technically with the ball at his feet. His passing needs to get better as is the case with all of our young players, but as you can see tonight he is willing to compete, he played the most minutes, I guess he played 65 minutes or so tonight, it was a good experience for him."
