(Editorial) – By the skin of their teeth, the Los Angeles Galaxy are unbeaten in their last five games (2-0-3). They have done so with two wins against excellent teams in Seattle Sounders and Sporting KC. They have gotten draws in road matches at New York Red Bulls, and Real Salt Lake earlier this week. They have done so without their DP Captain, Robbie Keane, the 2014 MLS MVP. They have also done so the past two games without arguably their best midfielder, Juninho. While not convincing, the LA Galaxy are surviving in the absence of these two.
This level of play is certainly not sustainable, but thankfully for the Galaxy, the injuries are relatively short term. While Keane has not played since April 4, groin strains do not take several months to heal. Juninho was not listed on the Week 11 injury report, and is likely just being rested with this week being a double game week. Jose Villarreal was a pleasant surprise at left midfield earlier this season and has missed time due to a hamstring injury. Again, not a long term or season ending injury.
Let’s take a look at how the Galaxy have gotten these results and what aspects can be relied upon going forward:
Converting On Fewer Scoring Chances
The Galaxy have scored five goals in their current unbeaten stretch. Three of those have come off set pieces, two of them game winners. Keane’s absence has also given Alan Gordon more playing time. While still at his best coming on as a late game sub against a tired back line, Gordon has the heart of a warrior. He’s been clutch for LA. With Omar Gonzalez and Leonardo crowding the box, the Galaxy are an effective set piece team. Gonzalez is the tallest of the bunch at 6′ 5” and garners the most attention from defenders.
As a result, Gordon is not matched up with the opponent’s best aerial defender. He has converted. Even when being the more obvious target, Gonzalez has converted. The Galaxy have gotten about the same productivity from set pieces, but they are doing so with fewer chances than they were getting earlier this season. With less possession, they’ve gotten fewer crosses. They’ve been much more efficient and it has shown.
Defense Showing Up and Putting Out Fires
The Galaxy have conceded just three times in the last month and haven’t allowed multiple goals in a game. Even with the midfield and forward cores banged up, the defense has been healthy. Todd Dunivant has been out with a knee injury, but the rest of the defenders have been healthy and sharp. Bruce Arena-coached teams have always been excellent at emergency defending. Gonzalez and Leonardo are one of the best center back pairs at this in MLS. They’ve done so and had to be.
The three goals they have given up have been a combination of great offensive plays by the opponent or a lucky bounce. Sporting’s goal was a result of two great passes and a good finish by Krisztain Nemeth. Red Bulls had a deflected ball go in off Felipe Martins’s face, unintentionally. Colorado scored off a perfect pass and Gabby Torres was in the right place at the right time to make the run and finish the chance off.
None of these were results of defensive breakdowns or terrible individual mistakes. For each goal, there’s a great clearance by Gonzalez, a great tackle by Leonardo, and a goal stopping recovery run by AJ DeLaGarza. Nevermind Jaime Penedo being the Galaxy’s Man Of The Match on several occasions, with 21 saves, including this and this.
The Galaxy were a bit lucky in these results. An argument could be made that Seattle and Real Salt Lake were the better team in their respective matches. The game winning goal against Sporting came in the 94th minute when it was 1-1. While the possession numbers have not been great at times (39% in New York, 47% in Salt Lake) and the offense has been stale at times, the team’s style of play does not need to be sustainable.
The problems will be resolved by the return of Keane and Juninho:
Juninho Adds Bite To Midfield, Improves Possession Numbers
The 26-year-old Brazilian is the best midfielder on the Galaxy and on the day can be the best deep lying midfielder in MLS. Removing the season high and low possession as an outlier, when Juninho starts, the Galaxy average over 57.4% possession. When he does not start, they average only 47% possession. Juninho helps to stabilize the midfield, and he is key to winning possession and keeping it in the center of the field. This takes pressure off the back line and gives the team more of the ball to spread the field and send crosses into the box. Juninho’s return will give the Galaxy more of the ball and will prevent them from sitting back to absorb pressure and hope for a draw.
Keane Brings Back Style, Creative Ideas
Keane is the brains of the offense for the Galaxy. While Gyasi Zardes is a great young striker talent, he’s still learning from a world class player. He’s a bit scatter-brained and reactionary when Keane isn’t on the field. As his striker partner, Keane directs traffic and puts him into more dangerous positions. This isn’t a knock on Zardes as a third year pro, but he very much is still dependent on Keane at times to be a productive striker. As previously mentioned, Gordon is most effective as a super sub. When he has to go 60-90 minutes against defenders with fresh legs, he is not as dangerous. Keane’s return will not only make Zardes more productive, but it will also push Gordon to the bench, where he can promptly get subbed in and bash.
Academy product Bradford Jamieson IV has broken into the lineup with Keane’s absence, starting four matches and going at least 82 minutes each time. Jamieson has been a good spark from the reserves, possibly a bigger spark than Zardes was as a rookie in 2013. The 19-year-old opened his professional account with a golazo against New York. SuperDraft Pick Ignacio Maganto has also seen time at left midfield. He hasn’t gotten enough time to make any conclusions, but he has yet to fall flat on his face with youthful mistake. There are certainly reasons to be optimistic.
Keane’s recovery (and the possible recovery of Villarreal) will either take some of the load off these two or push them to the bench. They will have less pressure on them and a better team around them. Their captain will guide like he does others combining with him and they’ll find themselves in better and more dangerous positions. Worst case scenario, they return to LA Galaxy II where they continue their development.
The LA Galaxy have survived without their best midfielder and striker. It hasn’t been perfect, but it has gotten results. The prevalent problems during this stint will be rectified by the return of these two players. The defense has been good and looks like it will continue to be that way. The midfield will be stabilized by Juninho. Every aspect of the offense will improve with Keane’s groin healing. For the first time this season, the Galaxy look like they are going to be just fine pre-Gerrard.
Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
