CARSON, Calif. – The defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy are playing the best soccer of their season, as evidenced by Sunday’s 5-1 trouncing of New York City FC in front of a sellout crowd of 27,000 at StubHub Center.
But lost in all the hoopla surrounding the impact of recent arrivals Steven Gerrard and Giovani Dos Santos and an attack that continues to score goals in bunches has been a defense that appears to grow stronger with each game.
Yes, the Galaxy did concede a goal Sunday – on a penalty kick by New York’s David Villa in the 80th minute -- but they improved to 6-0-0 in their last six MLS matches at home and now have outscored league opponents 36-9 at StubHub this season.
The back line of Robbie Rogers, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez and Leonardo had one of their best collective efforts of the season Sunday.
“It feels like it,” Gonzalez said after Villa, who entered the East-West showdown with 14 goals and seven assists, was credited with just one shot on target. Kwadwo Poku (four goals and seven assists) and former Juventus standout Andrea Pirlo did not have a single shot on target. “I thought the defense was awesome tonight.”
DeLaGarza said the Galaxy’s defensive strategy was simple and made a bit easier with the absence of former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, who was held out because of a strained calf. Their emphasis was on Pirlo, New York’s playmaker who is regarded as one of the game’s best passers. Midfielders Gerrard and Juninho often dropped back into the defensive third of the field to help out and, after an initial early stretch in which New York dominated possession, the Galaxy took control.
“Once we were able to control the ball they really didn’t see it again after that,” Gonzalez said. “Juni and Gerrard were in front of us blocking passing lanes so they couldn’t find Villa and Poku as easily as they did in the first 20 minutes.
“After that they were getting frustrated.”
The Galaxy also were intent on reversing the particularly disturbing trend of falling behind early. The Galaxy had allowed 11 goals in the opening 30 minutes of league matches this season, including six in the first 15 minutes.
But there was no such problem Sunday, once they weathered New York City’s early storm. Then it was off to the races.
“They’re dangerous,” DeLaGarza said of the visitors, “but we held our own today.”
Added Leonardo, “I don’t think it was perfect, but it was a good performance to allow only one goal.”
Arena, not surprisingly, was happy as well.
“They’ve played very well for a long time,” he said of his defense. “I think we were certainly aware of the danger of Villa and he still had opportunities. We tried to get around Pirlo a little bit. He’s an exceptional player. Once they get Lampard on the field they’re going to be a real good team.
“We had a good 65 minutes or so. We were tough to beat today.”
