Beyond the Spotlight: How Miki Yamane Elevates the LA Galaxy’s Game
We're kicking off a new series that takes deep look at the unsung heros of LA Galaxy matches this season. The inaugural edition takes a look at Miki Yamane's performance in the Cali Clasico
Welcome to our new series Beyond the Spotlight! This series is about analyzing film from the LA Galaxy’s latest match and highlighting players who had stellar performances but didn’t get much attention afterward. This will be a detailed look at the good, bad, and ugly moments of the LA Galaxy this season. Each week will have a different player or theme to analyze deeply.
After years of young right backs playing for the LA Galaxy, Miki Yamane broke the mold and is showing his class on the pitch. In his two games with the LA Galaxy, his impact on both sides of the ball is a key part of the club’s good performances to begin the 2024 campaign.
The 30-year-old Japanese full back was acquired this offseason from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of about $1.7 million according to reports. Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz was in attendance during Yamane’s victory in the 2023 Emperor's Cup before striking a deal with the Japanese international.
With Yamane entering his 30s, the Galaxy showed they wanted a seasoned veteran who’s ready to perform and doesn’t need time to develop as a player. Since joining Kawasaki in 2020, Yamane has won every trophy in Japan and earned a spot at the last FIFA World Cup.
You’ll be amazed by his performance in Saturday’s Cali Clasico and analyzing the tape to show you the strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese right back. Before we start, take a look at his box score stats and heat map from last weekend.
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