ATLANTA – Giovani dos Santos is frustrated, and he admits it freely.
It’s not hard to see why.
The LA Galaxy’s Mexican forward has seen his numbers dip from 14 goals in 2016 to just six this season. As dos Santos has struggled, Los Angeles’ attack has also faltered with the team registering just a single shot on goal – dos Santos’ first-half effort against Atlanta United – in the last 245 minutes of action.
Following the Galaxy’s 4-0 defeat to Atlanta United on Wednesday, dos Santos voiced his frustrations about his form and the team’s attack as of late.
“It’s difficult. When [you can’t get shots], you can’t expect great things. Everyone knows what we want especially it’s frustrating because I know people look at me and what we do on the pitch,” dos Santos said. “It’s difficult, but you have to understand the situation as a team. We just need to keep working to come back stronger next year.”
Against Atlanta United, dos Santos touched the ball 34 times in an attack that failed to capitalize off an early spurt highlighted by his dangerous shot that forced goalkeeper Brad Guzan to make a save in the opening minutes.
Without a goal since late May, dos Santos admits that he’s unsatisfied with his performances.
“Of course, I want to get better every single year. I think it’s an understanding of everyone. I can make a run, but if your teammate doesn’t see you, then your run doesn’t matter. There are a couple of things right now that we’re still building," dos Santos said. "If you see last year, I remember Bruce Arena told me ‘you have to touch the ball more’ and my numbers were different. This time, I’m working harder than last year and maybe because of the situation of the team, the team doesn’t get what we want.”
Dos Santos and the Galaxy will take on a Sporting Kansas City team fresh off a U.S. Open Cup title. A loss and a draw, as well as a myriad of other results, could mathematically eliminate the Galaxy from the postseason on Sunday.
As the team looks ahead to its final 10 games, dos Santos says he and the rest of the squad cannot give up.
“I’m just working. As a professional, you always go through difficult situations. In our profession, we can’t give up," he said. "We are in this club. We have to think about the next game and then think of the next year. We have to focus on the next game and get better next year.”
