Scout Report: Could Gabriel Pec be the LA Galaxy's next Designated Player
The LA Galaxy is reportedly advancing in negotiations for the Brazilian winger. Here is a breakdown of Gabriel Pec's game and how he could fit with the LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy looks to be closing in on a potential Designated Player signing in Brazil. After weeks of rumors linking the SoCal club to highly-rated prospects in South America, recent reports indicate the Galaxy and Brazilian club Vasco da Gama are close to completing the transfer of 22-year-old winger Gabriel Pec.
According to Goal Brazil, they believe Vasco “should confirm the acceptance [of the Galaxy’s bid] in the coming days”. It’s also been reported that the LA Galaxy is no longer pursuing CA Talleres’ attacker Ramon Sosa after their bids were rejected and will spend around $10 million for Pec instead.
Following Tyler Boyd getting traded to Nashville for two international roster spots (one in 2024 and 2025) and $150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), the Galaxy needs a winger. The depth chart currently has Diego Fagundez and Jonathan Perez in those positions.
What happened in 2023
Gabriel Fortes Chaves or Gabriel Pec had a breakout campaign with Vasco during the 2023 Brasileirao. In Vasco’s first season back in the top flight, he led the team with 12 goal contributions in the league (eight goals, four assists). In 50 games played across all competitions, Pec recorded 14 goals and five assists.
As mentioned earlier, this was Pec’s first full season in Brazil’s top league since 2020. It’s impressive to see him take this massive jump for his club and it’s helped him get noticed by Brazil’s Olympic qualifiers team. He was called up for the Pre-Olympic Tournament in Venezuela that takes place later this month and ends on Feb. 11. Let’s take a look at what’s made Pec one of the best U23 wingers in Brazil.
Analyzing his Playstyle
What immediately stands out with Pec is his pace and eagerness to take-on players. He is a heavily dependant left-footed winger that primarily plays on the right side of the pitch but has also games on the left side of the field. Take a look at his heat map from the 2023 season:
Pec is a technical player on the ball and the film shows he’s effective at attacking space when it’s there. Going back to his dribbling abilities, it’s something that he tends to do often which leads to fouls but is also one of this most risky aspects of his game possession wise.
According to fbref.com, Pec attempted the fifth most take-ons (130) with 57 successful attempts (11th most in Brazil) but also was tackled 63 times by a defender (4th highest). Notably, he recorded 88 miscontrols - the third-highest tally in the league. It’s clear he’s not afraid to create his own space and beat his man but at the same time it’s going to lead to a change of possession here and there. You need players that can create a moment of magic by themselves and Pec is capable of dong that with his ability on the ball. Following Dougals Costa’s departure, the Galaxy don’t have a winger with that flair.
What makes a winger a threat to the backline is his ability to get inside the box and become a threat to goal. Pec finished these 2023 season in the top 10 of touched in the oppostions penalty box and third in the league for carries into the penalty box(35). With Riqui Puig’s excellent progressive vision, you need player that makes those runs into the box to create danger - this would maximize the potential of both players.
Pec is very direct and was the focal point of Vasco’s attack last season. When you see his low passing metrics, it’s because a majority of the attacks ended with him and he wasn’t part of the build up. If he were to join the LA Galaxy, I would expect these numbers to go up and for him to get more touches in the build up of attacks.
Most of Pec’s goals came from inside the box through smart runs off-the-ball and has shown a nose for goal with his excellent positioning. The Galaxy need a direct winger following Boyd’s departure and Fagundez is an inverted playmaker rather than a vertical threat. The profile of Pec checks off all the boxes of what the Galaxy need from a DP caliber winger should this rumor develop in the coming days.