Do the LA Galaxy have a goal-scoring problem?
The chances were there for LA to score against a 10-men Vancouver Whitecaps FC side last Saturday, but the Galaxy left BC Place empty-handed and were forced to settle for a scoreless draw.
Missing their Designated Player trio of Giovani dos Santos, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane, the Galaxy relied heavily on the relatively inexperienced duo of Ari Lassiter and Sebastian Lletget, who despite several dangerous moments were unable to score.
“We could’ve been a little bit better. We have to play a little bit quicker. We were very poor on our crossing; we’ve got to do a better job getting players in front of the goal and in dangerous positions,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena told reporters after the match against Vancouver. “Games like tonight where a team is dropped back and playing with numbers, it’s not going to be a perfect play.
“You know, we’re looking for the last pass, to walk the ball in the goal, but we need to shoot more from distance, we’ve got to deliver balls in front of the goal a lot earlier and just be better. But give our opponent credit; they did a good job defensively.”
In total, the Galaxy have scored just seven times in four matches this season, with five of those goals coming off set pieces or penalty kicks. With the Galaxy still looking to score more from the run of play, the club’s attackers believe that they must follow Arena’s advice and be greedier in front of the goal.
"We have to get sharper,” midfielder Mike Magee, who has scored twice this season, said. “We definitely have to take our chances. When we do get crosses, they just weren't on [against Vancouver], for whatever reason.”
Added Lletget, “The problem is that I think that we’re good enough to play quickly around the box and get shots off, but maybe our mentality needs to be tweaked so we can be aggressive in front of goal. We have more than enough ability in front of goal; we just have to execute it.”
Just who will be tasked with implementing this plan in the final on Sunday against the Portland Timbers is still up in the air. With Dos Santos working his way back from a left leg injury and Gyasi Zardes likely to make his return to the starting lineup, Arena will have options in the attack when the Galaxy take on the reigning MLS Cup champions.
Despite the Galaxy’s inability to find the back of the net against Vancouver, Arena isn’t too worried about his side getting it going ahead of Sunday’s fixture.
“We’re doing fine,” Arena said. “We’ll be alright.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
