{"id":43524,"date":"2022-06-22T13:25:38","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T17:25:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=43524"},"modified":"2022-06-22T13:25:38","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T17:25:38","slug":"galaxy-sacramento-republic-open-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/06\/22\/galaxy-sacramento-republic-open-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"US Open Cup: “Slow” LA Galaxy stunned by Sacramento Republic, 2-1"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Galaxy was booed off their home field again after being shocked 2<\/span>-1 and eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup by Sacramento Republic FC<\/a><\/span> in the quarterfinals at home Tuesday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Slow” Galaxy stunned by Sac 2-1<\/h2>\n

It was L.A.’s first legitimate chance at a trophy under head coach Greg Vanney, but Galaxy players certainly didn\u2019t play like they were competing for silverware, or even in an elimination game for that matter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He made sure to call out his player’s lack of desire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI felt like we just weren\u2019t moving at the same speed and together. Today, I just feel like we didn\u2019t adapt inside of the game. We didn\u2019t have the right intensity. Some players did. Some didn\u2019t. The right intensity to dual and compete,\u201d Vanney confessed. \u201cAnd, I don\u2019t have a great answer, but I would say guys who continually do that, won\u2019t play. That\u2019s the message that they understand. Is, every player on the field has to play with the right intensity and the right intention. And not just play well, but play hard. And compete for those things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of competing for trophies, though, they won a chorus of boos from the 12,315 G\u2019s in attendance; the third time in the past five games the boos have rained from the rafters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lacking intensity<\/h2>\n

From the start, the Galaxy got it wrong, both in lineup and intensity. Gone was the desire they showed in the last round against LAFC. Instead, this was the side that put up consecutive, meek <\/span>3-0 losses to Texas teams at home<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

They were consistent in one area, however.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

True to the season script, there was plenty of possession (64% to Sac Republic\u2019s 36%) and slow cycling of the ball in the opponent\u2019s third. Throw in L.A. having trouble breaking down a stingy opponent sitting in low defensive blocks. Efrain Alvarez, not passing or shooting with a right foot? Yup, add that to your Galaxy bingo card too.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was even a sighting of a K\u00e9vin Cabral and Dejan Jovelji\u0107 strike partnership that the fan base probably could\u2019ve done without.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And if you had the Galaxy giving up an early goal in transition at home again, well, you won bingo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chasing the game, again<\/h2>\n

Inside four minutes, Los Angeles was down 1-0 at home again to a well-worked counter-attacking goal by Sac Republic and had to chase the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Republic\u2019s Douglas Martinez fired a cross into the middle of the penalty area from the right flank that both Kelvin Leerdam and Nick DePuy failed to deal with. The well-weighted ball found Rodrigo Lopez, who rifled his shot into the right side of the goal to put the away side up before most were in their seats.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the early shock didn\u2019t spur the Galaxy into action.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udc40 that service from Efra pic.twitter.com\/atx6LYOSlE<\/a><\/p>\n

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 22, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n