LA Galaxy 'frustration' growing as another game slips by in MLS Cup Playoffs hunt
By Chris Smith
It's starting to feel like groundhog day for the LA Galaxy.
After picking up a vital 2-0 win at home to Atlanta United a couple of weeks ago, the five-time MLS Cup champions have followed up with consecutive defeats on the road to FC Dallas (1-0) and Sporting Kansas City (4-2) to sit ninth in the Western Conference, three points adrift of the Playoffs.
Something similar happened when LA beat CF Montreal 4-0 at the start of July, with a three-game losing streak coming up next.
In fact, the Galaxy haven't won back-to-back MLS games since beating the Portland Timbers and LAFC in quick succession in early April, with first-half collapses a constant theme since then.
"Again, we get ourselves in the hole. There's still one-third of the season left, but the same time, we've got to stop being in this position and having this discussion," head coach Greg Vanney lamented following Saturday's 4-2 loss to SKC, in which the Galaxy found themselves 3-0 down at half-time.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond added: "We’re putting ourselves in bad positions. We’re going behind every first half and it’s just a mountain to climb and we’re quite a young and emotional team. So as soon as we concede the first goal we don’t know how to react positively and we find ourselves down three at half-time. It’s just obviously not good enough because it completely kills the game. It’s a very frustrating scenario and situation."
Bond's 'frustration' is shared by Vanney, but the former Toronto FC head coach is still confident his players can do what's required to jump above the Playoff line, starting with upcoming home matches against the Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders.
"There’s surely belief in the group and there's certainly frustration in the group," said Vanney. "At the same time, we have two home games, back-to-back now, and we’ve got to go home and defend our home turf. With two home games and you get two good results… Then you know how quickly things can evolve in MLS and move in a positive direction."
Watch the story of Charlotte FC's journey to MLS in 90min's The Making of Charlotte FC, presented by DoorDash, on 90min channels now. Subscribe to our new US YouTube channel.