Douglas Costa: The LA Galaxy's X-Factor during the stretch run

The Brazilian winger will be a key factor in the Galaxy's attempt to mount the Western Conference Standings.

Photo Credit: LA Galaxy

When the Galaxy lost Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez for the rest of the season, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see the team take a dip in form without their star player. Instead, Douglas Costa took the reigns of LA’s attack to help lead the team to their best run of form this season.

The 32-year-old is going to be a cornerstone figure if the LA Galaxy is going to turn around their season and stay in the fight for postseason soccer. The club finds itself nine points behind the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with 12 games left in the campaign. It’s important to note that LA has played a game (and in some cases, it‘s played two matches) less than the rest of the West.

What’s held Costa back in MLS is not his ability on the ball but rather his body. He’s never had a good run of game time to build match sharpness and chemistry with the rest of the team.

“I think he's just getting his fitness, his legs, getting himself connected with the group," said Greg Vanney about Costa following his assist in the Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City. "It feels like his mentality has been solid over the year; he's just had a big struggle to get healthy and stay healthy.

Just before the Leagues Cup break, Costa made seven consecutive MLS starts. Notably, he made three consecutive 90-minute shifts for the first in his LA Galaxy career during that span. In those last seven regular season games, the Brazilian recorded six assists.

“I feel very happy to have played so many games, 90 minutes, and I'm ready to give my best for the team,” Costa told me during our chat following Thursday’s training session.