Column: Examining what has caused Efraín Álvarez's decline in minutes
Analyzing Álvarez's season with the Galaxy and what could get him back on track
A lot happens in four years, especially in soccer. MLS rosters change every year and it’s rare to see players on the same team for more than four years unless they’re club legends. In the case of Efraín Álvarez, he’s still looking for his breakout season with the LA Galaxy.
While researching for the Galaxy’s upcoming match against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, I rewatched the match highlights of the last time these two faced off in Carson. It was Mar. 2, 2019, when the Galaxy recorded a 2-1 comeback victory to start the campaign. The story of that game was 16-year-old Álvarez making his LA Galaxy debut recording an assist on the game-tying goal and playing a part in the buildup for the game-winner.
Álvarez recorded 12 goals and three assists in 17 games as a 15-year-old in the USL Championship. He garnered a lot of buzz and attention as a prospect which led to his anticipated debut for the Blue, White, and Gold. His talent was on display for over 20,000 people who were present at Dignity Health Sports Park that night.
Following his debut match, the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic called Álvarez “the best talent in MLS by far”. The East LA native looked on course to be a star for his local club and the next big prospect developed in MLS.
Now in 2023, the 21-year-old is on the outside looking in among the LA Galaxy squad. With the Chicago Fire returning to Carson for the first time since Álvarez’s debut, it’s likely we won’t see the Mexican on the field given how little he’s featured for Greg Vanney’s side in the last couple of months.
It feels like Álvarez has plateaued in his development and now finds himself lower on the depth chart compared to any point during his Galaxy career. His contract is up at the end of this season but the club could trigger his option to keep him around for 2024. What’s caused Álvarez to not become a core player for the LA Galaxy and what could be next for the young Mexican?
Building expectations
During the Coachella Valley Invitational preseason matches, Álvarez told me that this season needed to be his breakout year. He understood this season was the one where he needed to cement himself on the team and also remain in the eyes of the Mexican national team. He’s the longest-tenured player on the roster with 94 MLS matches under his belt with six goals and 11 assists.
Just before the start of the season, club legend Robbie Keane personally gave Álvarez the number 7 kit. It was Keane’s number during his time with the Galaxy and it was a huge gesture by the Irishman to hand deliver the new number to Álvarez. By changing from number 26 to number 7, it signaled Álvarez was ready to take the next step to become a regular starter on the team.
Álvarez started in the club’s first three matches of the season with little production. Like the rest of the team, there was not much promise and few moments that made it seem like there was growth in his game. With Tyler Boyd, Douglas Costa, and Memo Rodriguez all getting into match fitness, we began to see less of the Mexican midfielder. Since May, Álvarez has made just five appearances (two starts) in league play. He’s yet to record a single goal or assist during the 2023 MLS season.
A lack of evolution
The main reason young prospects develop to become stars is the tweaks in their play style. It is a crucial part of player development and how their talents evolve into their strengths for the rest of their careers.
In the case of Álvarez, he’s been a technically gifted player since his USL days. His left foot is able to pick out any pass and he can strike the ball with good technique and curl. Take a look at his game-winning goal against Charlotte FC last season, he hits the ball well and the placement is excellent. We see these flashes often with him.
One of my favorite attributes about the midfielder is how he can play long balls with accuracy. Just take a look at how simple it is for him to play this over the top for Raheem Edwards. Sure the run by Edwards was offside but it doesn’t take away from this excellent pass and vision displayed by the young Mexican.
What hasn’t changed or improved is his ability to use his weaker right foot. It’s made Álvarez extremely predictable and at times a liability in attack. Teams know to force him out wide to prevent him from cutting inside. Look at this clip from earlier this season where his reliance on his left foot slows down a moment in transition for the Galaxy.
He’s unable to take advantage of the space and fails to put a ball in the box for Preston Judd who is making the run. The Timbers force him out wide by defending against the inside cut and Álvarez can’t progress the play. The Timbers get numbers back in the box and this transition moment dies.
While it’s important to have technical ability, his lack of dynamism and work rate has limited just how effective he can be on both sides of the ball.
In Vanney’s system, it’s important to have wingers who can stretch the field with the threat of their pace. It’s why Vanney utilized Kevin Cabral and Tyler Boyd in the starting XI during his tenure, they were threats on the counter and could play on the touchline to open more space in the middle of the pitch. Not to mention both Cabral and Boyd have excellent defensive work rates while that has been a knock on Álvarez off the ball.
Álvarez doesn’t have the speed to be a serious threat against the opposing backline in open space. While fellow winger Douglas Costa has a similar style of play, the Brazilian has a nice burst of pace and flair on the ball that nobody else on the team can replicate. Not to mention Costa is very comfortable shooting and crossing with his weaker right foot, which makes him much tougher to defend.
I still believe Álvarez can make changes in his play style and develop his weak foot in order to add an extra dimension to his game.
He needs to take risks. I don’t mean trying to play the perfect long ball or dribble past defenders every time but instead to get out of his comfort zone and show he’s trying to add to his game. With 12 games left in the season, now is the ideal time to show some consistent good play when he gets the chance to be on the pitch.
What’s Next
A change of scenery could be what’s needed for the Mexican midfielder to take the next step in his game. He’s spent his entire career with the LA Galaxy and it looks like the club is already moving ahead without him.
The Galaxy acquired two new wingers (Diego Fagundez and Micheal Barrios) during the end of the summer transfer window and his minutes have taken a heavy hit. He’s played 376 MLS minutes and his last start was during the Galaxy’s 3-2 win against Real Salt Lake in late May. Compared to last season, Álvarez finished the campaign with 28 appearances and 1,393 minutes played. As mentioned earlier, he is in the final year of his guaranteed contract meaning every appearance matters.
With over 100 appearances for the LA Galaxy, he’s a player with experience in MLS which could make him valuable within the league. There have always been links to move to Liga MX giants Chivas de Guadalajara. He has four caps for the Mexican National team and Álvarez could use Liga MX to get more eyes on him. At 21 years of age, his promise is still appealing to most teams.
I still see talent in Álvarez and believe he can flourish in the right system. With how competitive playing time is going to be in Galaxy’s last 12 games, he needs to take advantage when he gets minutes on the pitch.
Going back to his pass against the Crew, I’ve always believed Álvarez would be much better in a deeper position on the pitch. He’s shown excellent vision and he’s able to ping the right pass. He’s played as an attacking midfielder during his LA Galaxy career but hasn’t been put in that position consistently. Whether it’s with the Galaxy or another team, I feel this should be Álvarez’s primary position to get the best out of him - and 10 or learn to become an offensive 8.
I want to finish this out with his goal against Charlotte FC. A wonder goal that shows the talent of his left foot.