Beyond the Spotlight: Miki Yamane and Dejan Joveljić lead the Galaxy's tactical evolution
Looking back at the importance of Yamane and Joveljić against Sporting Kansas City
Multiple LA Galaxy players crowed Miki Yamane and celebrated with him following the Galaxy’s third goal of the match in the club’s 4-2 win over SKC. Players ran off the bench to join their teammates in surrounding Yamane with pats on the back while the stadium roared with cheering fans.
At first glance, you would think it was Yamane who scored but the Japanese defender had the hockey assist that led to Joseph Paintsil’s goal in his return from injury. His decision to play the long ball over the top of SKC’s backline proved to be the right one that led to the Galaxy’s most impressive attack on the night.
His teammates' celebrations were because of his individual brilliance in creating that goal and his importance to the Galaxy’s offense with key players out due to injury.
The absences of Riqui Puig and Gaston Brugman, two of the best ball-progressing midfielders in MLS, forced the LA to find different ways to attack. The pair of midfielders will be out for the Galaxy’s Wednesday night matchup against NYCFC - which leads to the importance of Yamane for the Galaxy offense.
“With Miki (Yamane), the way we used him today, he was certainly more involved in more actions over the course of the day. He was just in different positions where we could find him and he was involved in the attack,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney after Saturday’s win versus SKC.
“He was getting more touches in more decisive areas than sometimes he does when we use him as the third in a build, and in that way we were able to see some really good moments from him.
Yamane’s played as an inverted full-back on many occasions this season but against SKC it was key to the Galaxy ball progression.
With Jonny Perez and Gabriel Pec providing the width in possession, it allowed Yamane to drift centrally at times to give the Galaxy a numerical advantage in the middle of the pitch. Here is a clip of Yamane transitioning from right-back to midfield to help LA progress the ball.
Depending on the game state, Yamane also moves wide in possession or forward centrally to set the Galaxy up in 3-2-5 to get lots of numbers in the attack. Lots of coaches across the globe use this formation in possession, as it’s one of the best ways to push numbers forward while keeping some positional/tactical structure.
Take a look at this clip where Yamane is higher up the pitch than usual and isn’t afraid to make a darting run to get on the end of a long ball. His touch isn’t perfect here but providing a direct threat like this is what keeps defenses on their toes. That level of
Out of possession, Yamane took up the usual space on the right side of the pitch that you would expect from a traditional right-back. He tends to examine the situations on the pitch before moving his position aggressively.
Dejan Joveljić's goal against Sporting Kansas City put him to 10 goals on the season - the third time in his career that the Serbian striker has accumulated double-digit goals in league play.
Joveljić's bounce-back from his dreadful 2023 campaign is one of the best stories of this season. The Galaxy attack becomes mundane without the Serbian in the lineup as his presence alone adds extra bite to the frontline.
“I think you know when Dejan has a little bit of space to move and find areas in front of the goal and stuff that he's at his best.”
That was on display during his combination play with Gabriel Pec on the night. The two have developed a good understanding of each other’s moments and tendencies - it’s fun to see them combine in the final third.
Not only does it help improve Joveljić’s hold-up play but it also gets the best out of Pec because he plays very direct.
Take a look at the first goal of the game. Joveljić does well to lay the ball off for Pec and soon gets into poacher mode to score his goal. Usually, this type of play would result in an assist for Joveljić but his positioning makes sure this chance doesn’t completely get to waste even though his first shot was saved.
“He has this know for the goal. Especially as spaces in the box open up, he just knows where to be and his timing is excellent. Especially as space in the box open up.”
Vanney has mentioned to me multiple times that he wants Joveljić’s hold-up play and passing to be much better in the attack.
As the 2024 campaign has gone on, you’re seeing the Serbian improve this aspect of his game tremendously. It’s day and night when comparing the possession play of LA Galaxy forwards when Joveljić starts compared to when backup striker Miguel Berry gets the starting nod.
I really like the pass Joveljić executes here; the weight is perfect and he understands immediately that his gravity is opening up the run for Pec to attack the open space.
Joveljić has proved to be extremely valuable to the Galaxy this season and showing his importance to the Galaxy’s attacking patterns. Vanney believes he can take another leap forward to be a more efficient player in possession to help progress attacks in the attacking half.
Those factors alongside his goal-scoring make him so valuable to the Galaxy’s high-flying attack.