Scout Report: LA Galaxy reportedly targeting defender Miki Yamane
The LA Galaxy is reportedly interested in Yamane -one of the top right backs in Japan
According to reports from Japan, the LA Galaxy are interested in 29-year-old right back Miki Yamane from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale. Yamane is a two-time league winner with Kawasaki (2020,2021) and has played 16 games with the Japanese National Team.
Yamane was part of Japan’s team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside current LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida. Following the departures of Calegari and Kelvin Leerdam, LA is in the market for a starting caliber right back. Prospect Maurcio Cuevas is the only right back on depth chart and needs some time to develop into a starting role.
Corner of Galaxy reported that the LA Galaxy have had “serious conversations” with Yamane and traveled to Japan to speak to his representatives. It’s not surprise to see LA looking to strengthen their backline after conceding a league high 67 goals during the 2023 MLS regular season.
What Stands Out
The Galaxy needs experienced defenders to add stability in the backline and guide some of the younger players such as Cuevas, Jalen Neal, and Julian Aude. Yamane has developed into one of better right backs in Japan since joining Kawasaki in 2020. His championship experience in the J1 League means he knows what it takes to win and be successful - especially as a full back.
The best year of his career was 2021 where he recorded two goals and 12 assists to lead Kawasaki to back-to-back league titles. In 133 league games with Kawasaki, Yamane has recorded 11 goals and 24 assists.
One of the most popular sayings in sports is “the best ability is availability” which is what Yamane embodies. He’s played in at least 31 games in the last seven seasons in Japan. After year with multiple long-term injuries, the Galaxy will be delighted to see his lack of injury history.
Playstyle
It’s pretty simple to categorize Yamane’s playstyle; he’s an attack oriented full back. When watching his highlights, you see him dribbling into the final third, crossing the ball from wide postions, and shooting the ball often. Take a look at his heatmap from this past season in Japan.
Watching his tape reminds me of Calegari in regards to his technical ability. Yamane is comfortable with the ball at his feet; whether that’s dribbling in tight spaces out wide or progressing the ball as an inverted full back through the middle of the pitch.
When he’s off-the-ball, Yamane tends to make lots of forward runs to add numbers to the attack. In Greg Vanney’s system, he tends push full backs forward and instructs players to make runs to spread the opponents backline. The profile of Yamane fits what Vanney wants and it makes sense why the club has kept their eye on him.
He’s a very progressive with the ball and is key in Kawasaki’s offensive game. Yamane finished the season with 982 passes in the opponets half according to J1 League Stats- the third highest tally in the league. If Yamane were to join the Galaxy, Vanney’s tactical ideas wouldn’t be anything foreign to him.
The Galaxy struggled a lot to limit their opponents in transition and pushing numbers forward can be dangerous if LA loses possession - that was huge reason for their poor defensive record. With a full back that gets high up the pitch, the Galaxy would have prepare to deal with moments where Yamane is caught higher up the field in transition.
On the defensive end, Yamane can hold his own. He recorded 1.8 interceptions, 6.8 ball recoveries, 2.2 clearances, 1.4 tackles won, and 0.4 possesions won per game according to SofaScore.
Yamane finished the campaign with the fourth most duels won (96) and tackles (91) in Japan. He’s put up some solid stats in Japan but MLS would be a major jump in quality should he join LA. As mentioned earlier, how often he gets caught out of position is my biggest concern. Calegari didn’t make as many darting forward runs so this change in playstyle would something Vanney has to account for.
Yamane would be a solid option to add for a couple years while Cuevas develops. At 29 years of age, the Japanses defender is the late stages of his prime and likely won’t begin to regress soon.
He’s proven to be a key player for a championship winning team and one of the best at his position in Japan. Yamane would fit in Vanney’s system and is player with a good amount of experience under his belt. His position is one the Galaxy need to address a early as possible to build chemsity defensively.
With marauding backs like him and Raheem it will be business as usual next year. Galaxy are a soft team from the back to the front. The only fighter was Chicharito. They need to find some bruisers to complement the pretty players or it will be Deja vu all over again.