Greg Vanney admits 'relief' as LA Galaxy finally end nine-match winless streak
By Chris Smith
After nine games, five defeats and four draws, the LA Galaxy have finally returned to winning ways, much to the relief of head coach Greg Vanney.
After a previously impressive start to the campaign, the Galaxy have endured a major slump over the last couple of months. As a result, they now face a battle to ensure they remain in the playoff spots at the end of the regular season.
Their cause was given a major boost as goals from Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Sacha Kljestan delivered all three points against the Portland Timbers, cancelling out Sebastian Blanco's equaliser in a 2-1 win.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Vanney admitted his relief at finally picking up a victory, especially given Kljestan's decisive goal came in the 92nd minute from the penalty spot.
“Definitely, I had an exhale, but my exhale is just because of the way the night went," Vanney said. "It was another one of those nights where you felt like you weren't sure if you were going to be able to pull off the play that you needed to make the difference and we gave up another goal. It was kind of a strange fashion and you feel like that has been the season, especially the second half of the season and so for sure, there was an exhale, but I do feel like that from the group there was a confidence building, it was something that they deserved."
Match-winner Kljestan admitted it felt nice to walk back into a happy locker room after such a testing period. The hope now is that the Galaxy can put together an unbeaten run for the rest of the regular season.
“It is really nice having some music blasting in the locker room again after a game so that is just a good feeling," said the midfielder. "I think everyone is a bit relieved, especially with the way the game went tonight, I thought we played exceptionally well, I thought we were in total control, we had a lot of possession, we created some great chances.
"It felt like one of those games in the first half where they were going to get one chance and were going to score after we had so many, and they score a fluky goal to make it 1-1 and you just think 'oh no, not again'. So to get that win in the end, I think it is a big exhale for everybody and now hopefully it's the start of a winning streak or an unbeaten run.”
The Galaxy currently sit sixth in the Western Conference, five points clear of rivals LAFC below the playoff line with five games to go. Up next is a trip to the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.