TUCSON, Ariz. – The LA Galaxy didn’t get the win in their first preseason contest, but head coach Sigi Schmid was pleased with his team’s showing in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against Real Salt Lake.
Michael Ciani provided the lone tally for the Galaxy in their lone 2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup friendly. Schmid trotted out 33 players in the exhibition, using 11 different players in 30 minute periods.
Amid their rigorous week of training in Arizona, Schmid was encouraged by Saturday’s display.
“I was happy with what they did. We needed to hold the guys to 30 because we had a very hard training session yesterday morning. It was part of our fitness build to train through this game, so I thought the sharpness wasn’t quite there, but I thought the first group played well. They created some good opportunities. We were off a little bit with our quickness and our final touch, but overall I was pleased.
“The other objective was to make some decisions on guys in the second and third game.”
READ: Three Things We Learned from Saturday's preseason game
The second and third shifts saw Schmid mix some of his newest additions like Chris Pontius and Servando Carrasco with younger players from the club’s academy and Galaxy II teams. Just minutes into the second 30-minute shift, the Galaxy took the lead on Ciani’s tally before conceding three times during the last 60 minutes.
As the team continues down the road to their season opener in March 4, Schmid believes that the second and third shifts provided a valuable lesson.
“They did alright. I think we got stuck on one side of the field and we didn’t change the point of attack enough,” Schmid said. “[We need] a little bit of spacing from our players and a little bit of recognition on when we can take the ball the other way. I thought we were a little bit slow there.
“At the end, their first goal was a penalty. On [RSL's] second goal, we fall asleep. We watch Sylvestre make a save, and we don’t track our man, all of a sudden you’re down 2-1. Overall though, I’m not displeased. The result in this game is not very important.”
