Match Preview: LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
LA Galaxy soccer continues though the international break
The LA Galaxy will host Real Salt Lake eight weeks from the initial scheduled date on Saturday night in their second to last game of the season. This match was postponed due to a hurricane/tropical storm on the weekend of Aug. 20.
A lot has changed since then for the LA Galaxy, most notably the team has been eliminated from playoff contention. The club’s injury list has piled up more names and has one of LA’s best players in doubt.
Riqui Puig has missed the club’s last three games with an ankle injury. “We'll hold off this weekend...It doesn't make sense to put [Puig] out there if he's less than ready to go,” said coach Greg Vanney on Thursday afternoon.
At halftime of this game, the Galaxy will honor former coach Sigi Schmid into the Ring of Honor at Dignity Health Sports Park. Schmid won the Concacaf Cup Championship, MLS Cup, Supporters Shield, and U.S. Open Cup in his time with the LA Galaxy.
Salt Lake is coming into this game looking to get a result to move up in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Utah side has already clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs but is looking to secure a home match for the first round.
The Storyline
If LA wants to end this campaign on a less sour note, getting a clean sheet would be ideal.
Real Salt Lake will be without Cristian “Chicho” Arango on Saturday night due to a hamstring injury. The Colombian has been the club’s most in-form goalscorer with three goals in four games. The Utah team will also be missing Jefferson Savarino - he leads RSL with 10 goal contributions on the campaign. If LA wants to end this campaign on a less sour note, getting a clean sheet would go a long in only focusing on how many goals were conceded.
The Galaxy backline has dealt with many injuries and different lineups this season that it’s made it hard to establish consistent chemistry. With a full week to prepare for this game, I expect the Galaxy to have more connectivity on Saturday night.
Maya Yoshida’s presence in the back has been crucial in guiding the G’s due to his vast experience and knowledge of the game he’s acquired during his years playing in Europe. He’ll be key to whether LA can have a quality defensive game against RSL. Vanney’s side must take a advantage of their opponents not having their first choice forwards in the team.
Players to Watch
LA: Douglas Costa, winger
The LA Galaxy’s run at the MLS Cup Playoffs is over but it would’ve never happened if it weren’t for Douglas Costa. He’s been the reliable offensive engine that’s given Vanney’s side a different element in the attack - this would’ve been a crazy idea six months ago.
Given that his contract is up at the end of the season, these could likely be the final games that the Brazilian wears in an LA Galaxy shirt. He’s stepped up in Puig’s injury absence and has two goals and two assists in his last three games.
We haven’t seen much of the goalscoring side of Costa until recently. If he’s going to still play as the number 10 on the team, he’ll look to run the show in front of the home crowd.
RSL: Diego Luna, winger
Young players provide more dynamism and are capable of good individual moments. With RSL missing Savarino due to international duty, the ball is going to flow through the feet of 20-year-old Luna.
He’s recorded three goals and one assist in 21 games this season and ranks third on the team with 33 chances created. He plays out wide and provides playmaking in that sector of the field.
With how LA has struggled to defend strikers recently, Luna’s going to try to weave passes through the backline. He’s not afraid to take players on and get a shot at the goal himself.
The big question: How much is left in the tank?
This game has an interesting dynamic to it. LA isn’t going to get anything out of this game and can’t play spoiler since RSL already clinched a playoff spot. There isn’t much pressure for the Galaxy - who’s been playing catch-up ever since league play resumed following the conclusion Leagues Cup.
Vanney made it clear he wants the team to get some positive results going into the off-season break. This game is winnable considering RSL is without some key players and on the road.
The team poured out so much energy in their playoff push, so how much is left to end this season? Recall their game in Austin, players immediately dropped onto the floor when the whistle was blown past midnight.
The first half will give a clear indicator of how LA’s season wraps up. They can look like a worn-out team or remain competitive as they did in other games in these past few weeks.