Editorial (March 17, 2018) – After a 2-1 loss at New York City FC last weekend, the Los Angeles Galaxy are the walking wounded. Combined with in game injuries, other knocks, and a suspension, a bye week this weekend is just what the doctor ordered for all these LA Galaxy injuries.
MLS Bye Week Gives LA Galaxy Injuries Time to Mend
Let’s start by looking at the latest injury report. It was reported earlier this week that Giovani dos Santos did suffer a hamstring injury in the game at NYCFC. Michael Ciani is also out having been subbed out with an injury in that game. Romain Alessandrini and Chris Pontius were unavailable for the last match and are still on the mend.
Fortunately the Gs don’t have a game this weekend. #LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/ms1LeOjIyn
— LastWord on LAGalaxy (@LWOS_LAGalaxy) March 17, 2018
On the good side, Sebastian Lletget was able to start the match and go 77 minutes. It was his first start since coming back from an ankle injury nearly a year ago. On the bad side, Captain Ashley Cole was given two yellow cards last game for unsporting behavior.
This bye week comes at the perfect time for the Galaxy. It might be enough time for Dos Santos to get back (and actually be a contributor to the offense). It’s unclear what the time table is for Alessandrini, Ciani, and Pontius. But they aren’t missing a game this weekend and they’ll have extra time to work with the medical staff to heal.
A bye week also gives the Galaxy time to prepare should those players be out for the next games at Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the big home match against Los Angeles FC.
Head Coach Sigi Schmid can have the replacements run the offense without the star players. It will give Daniel Steres and Tomas Hilliard-Arce time to battle to replace Ciani. It will give Dave Romney time to get fit with Cole suspended for the match at Vancouver.
Say what you will about all the bye weeks and teams not playing early in this 2018 MLS season, but it’s benefiting the LA Galaxy injuries.
