The Los Angeles Galaxy sit in a playoff spot and are undefeated at 1-0-2 – considering the schedule, their performances aren’t as good as expected. LA dominated the Chicago Fire on opening weekend, but didn’t finish several quality chances. Sloppy defending almost lead to a loss against the Portland Timbers, as Alan Gordon rescued a point at the death. This past weekend, the Galaxy dominated possession and passes two to one over the Houston Dyanmo, and had a 30-10 advantage in crosses. The match ended in a 1-1 draw; defender Robbie Rogers said succinctly “it was a bummer.”
LA Galaxy Set Piece And Cross Service Lacking Venom
The result against Chicago was alright. Other than the finishing (or lack there of), the performance was decent. Considering LA’s distaste for turf and rain, a draw against the Timbers was an accomplishment. It “felt like a win” said Omar Gonzalez. But despite the Galaxy out-possessing, outplaying, and creating more chances than their opponents, the results aren’t quite adding up. There has been a lack of finishing due to it being early in the season, adjusting to the losses of Landon Donovan and Marcelo Sarvas, and of course injuries – these are all acceptable excuses.
Poor chance creation from corners and crosses are not acceptable, especially in terms of set pieces. Starting center backs Gonzalez and Leonardo are 6′ 5” and 6′ 2” respectively. Gonzalez scored four goals last season, a career high despite missing time due to injury and the World Cup. Super-Sub striker Gordon is 6′ 3”, a former Bash Brother, and one of the most clutch goal scorers in MLS history. Gyasi Zardes is 6′ 2” and has always been dangerous in the air even during the growing pains of his rookie season. Excluding the goal from Gordon against the Timbers, these four have a combined one shot on goal on set pieces this season. One shot in 13 corners isn’t good enough considering the aerial weapons available.
Crosses from the run of play have also been below expectations – the Galaxy have 86 cross attempts through three games, with only nine of those successful. The lone goal came on a cross from Jose Villarreal to Zardes. Getting opportunities has not been the problem. The team is averaging nearly 30 crosses a game. Villarreal has been pleasantly impressive this season. Stefan Ishizaki and Dan Gargan are a good attacking combination from the right flank, Rogers also contributing, overlapping with Villarreal.
The issue has been execution by those providing service: over hitting, mishitting, skying them, you name it.
Successful and unsuccessful crosses from matches games Chicago, Portland, and Houston from left to right:
That’s a lot of red.
Juninho has been used at times in the past on corners. His usage has increased over time (losing David Beckham and Donovan will do that), but he’s consistently provided long service. If the play is to someone at the top of the box on the other side of the field or to try and get a second service off the corner, he’s useful. If not, it’s a waste of a corner that goes nowhere or is easily cleared by the defense.
Ishizaki was a decent weapon on set pieces and from the run of play last season, scoring five goals and seven assists. However, it hasn’t been there for the Swede so far this season. His crosses have been mishit, usually hoofed lobs easily grabbed by opposing goalkeepers, his corner kicks have been on par with Juninho’s. They have constantly gone to the far side, top of the box.
If Juninho is there to volley it in like he did in the playoffs against Seattle, great! If not, Gonzalez is backtracking to try and get his head on it. It bounces and is cleared or leads to an easily defended chance. A high volume of low percentage chances do not lead to scoring more than one goal a game. They aren’t the quality ones uses to describe a playoff team either.
The two veterans have been so underwhelming on restart service that Villarreal has been given a chance to take corners the past two games. It’s too early to tell what the Galaxy academy product’s style is or how much distance and arc he has on his service. Still, Bruce Arena has a history of relying on his veterans. A 21-year-old being given the role is may be as much a reflection on him as it is the under-performing veterans.
This has to be the focal point of training until it is rectified. Defensive mistakes and poor finishing will resolve themselves as the squad gets more games under their belt; Arena could even go as far to have a competition in practice. If Mika Vayrynen does the best, start him and let him take all corners and set pieces. Crosses from the run of play must be improved upon as well, and that starts with Ishizaki. They need to be lower and more accurate. The Galaxy will be without both Zardes and Captain Robbie Keane this weekend against D.C. United due to international call ups. Gordon and potentially Edson Buddle could be the starting forward pair. Together, their heads are as good if not better than Zardes and Keane in the air. That might make the adjustment easier
May Omar smash. May Gordon bash. May Buddle rise from the dead. Send the giants forward. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in awhile. May the 87th time be a charm.
