The LA Galaxy and St. Louis City share a point in 3-3 draw - LA's finishing not clinical enough on the night
Both teams remain undefeated following the game in Carson. The Galaxy once again fights back to get a point from a losing position.
The LA Galaxy rescue a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw versus St. Louis City at Dignity Health Sports Park. Both the Galaxy and City are tied with seven points each and remain undefeated through four games into the MLS Season.
Dejan Joveljic found the back of the net three minutes into the match. The Serbian’s left-footed finish capped off the Galaxy's excellent passing sequence. The visitors found their way back into the game following a bad giveaway in the Galaxy’s half that Tomas Ostrak got past goalkeeper John McCarthy.
The Galaxy got back on top through Joseph Paintil in the 51st minute. Mark Delgado played a perfectly weighted through ball for Paintsil to finish. It was once again a short lead as Joakim Nilsson scored a bicycle kick goal following a corner kick to silence the crowd of over 25,000 people in Carson.
City found the lead through a corner kick in the 88th minute that McCarthy was unable to parry away as the ball went into the back of the net. Galaxy players were arguing with the referee due to the highly congested box McCarthy had to deal with. Maya Yoshida then got the end of a free kick to tie the game 3-3 and rescue a point at home for the Galaxy. Martin Caceres had to pull into a tactical foul and received a red card in the dying second of the game.
“We could dominate in the first half and instead we made ourselves very difficult moment, difficult stretch. So feel very disappointed to drop two points,” said Maya Yoshida after the game.
Leaving crumbs on the table
The LA Galaxy had a multitude of chances to extend their lead and grab a firm hold of the game. Joveljic and the Galaxy could’ve scored more goals if it wasn’t for some excellent shot-stopping from Roman Bürki. Nonetheless, the Galaxy knows they left crumbs on the table during the game.
“We should have won that game. I should have scored more goals than one,” said a frustrated Joveljic to reporters.
The Galaxy recorded seven shots on goal, more than City’s total shots on target conceded since the start of the season. The offense production is there for the LA Galaxy, it’s all about being efficient with their shots. Bürki made some excellent saves but the Galaxy felt they could’ve put those shots away.
“I know Bürki is a really good goalkeeper; he's one of the best in our league, but they were maybe a little too much in his wheelhouse for him to make those saves, and they need to be a little more tucked in the corner and a little bit better finished. But certainly, he had a good night, and we weren't clinical enough,” said Vanney.
“They are not half-opportunities. These are really good opportunities. You know, like again, there's three more of those that have to hit the back of the net,” noted Vanney. Players were frustrated that they weren’t able to score more goals but there were some bright spots.
Paintsil was dangerous on the night with two of his three shots put on goal (His only shot off target hit the post). The Galaxy would just play long balls for him to chase down and be the main threat for the majority of the game. It was something the Galaxy didn’t have last year and it’s what can elevate the ceiling of the offense.
“[Paintsil] is such a good player and good person and humble. He's gonna help us a lot this season with his goals and assists,” said Joveljic.“We’re gonna be more dangerous this year, more than ever.”
The Ghanaian finished the game with four chances created, eight of 11 duels won, four possessions won and a game-high five fouls won.
The Galaxy can explode on the offense and become one of the top-scoring teams in the league if they can continue to create chances. It’s all about making sure the killer finish is there every matchday.
Caceres Sacrificed
The tactical foul is the last line of defense when you’re trying to close out a game. Sam Adenerian was matched up against Caceres in the final third in open space with seconds remaining. The Uruguayan defender got into a collision with City’s forward and received a red card for stopping the attack.
It was the right decision at the time and it halted what could have been a game-winning goal. It wasn’t a clean foul but one the experienced defender knew he had to commit.
“Martín did what he had to do and it was professional, and it probably saved us a bit there,” said Vanney about the incident postgame. “I felt like Maya [Yoshida] should have grabbed him earlier and that would have saved Martín because Martín already had the yellow.”
Yoshida then told reporters he apologized to Martin Caceres after the game for not fouling the City player before Caceres got his red card. He felt like he let his teammates down as he’s a player with a lot of experience that should know what to do in moments like that.
The Galaxy will travel to Kanas City without the experienced Uruguayan and with Eriq Zavaleta likely making his first of the 2024 campaign.
The over-combining problem
City was only able to get on the scoresheet through the Galaxy’s mistakes and not during the run of play. The first goal comes from Riqui Puig trying to force a pass through the middle of the pitch that is intercepted and finished. The second goal comes from “ball watching” as Mark Delgado put it postgame but also an excellent finish from Nilsson. For the third goal, Gaston Brugman loses the ball by attempting a cheeky turn that then leads to the corner kick that sets up City’s third goal of the game.
“We knew they are very direct and physical team. Set piece is also very strong. Well, but if we make a mistakes on our side, doesn't matter how they play,” said Yoshida.
Puig didn’t have much of an impact in the game and his passing was off his usual performances. It wasn’t until Brugman got on the pitch in the second half that the ball moment was smoother and his composure helped LA keep more of the possession.
“[Puig] also bring a lot of experience, but he need to reduce the mistakes, as well. We spoke already after the game and he's – today is not his level game. Of course I need to help him and he need to help me as well. Everybody have to improve. Everybody have to be better than today for sure, including myself,” Yoshida told reporters.
Vanney made sure to point out that he’s repeated the message of not trying to force passes into the middle of the pitch. That plays into City’s strengths which are pressing and forcing turnovers.
“It's something we've talked about all through preseason that we can't force plays through the middle of the field. Every team in the League knows that we want to try to combine in the middle of the field and we have the tendency to over-combine,” said Vanney.
“You don't need to play straight through the middle of the field; they are asking for big problems. So it will be something that we continue to harp on and discuss and make sure that we are more mindful of.”