The LA Galaxy defense is stepping up at the business end of the season
The "Bad LA Galaxy defense" narratives is old, here's why
The MLS season is a long journey where narratives can begin and die. The early months of the 2024 LA Galaxy season saw the club with a dilemma - they scored lots of goals but also conceded a good amount.
The “defense wins championships” cliche hung around the LA Galaxy doubters. The struggle to defend set pieces and cheap goals strayed away many national pundits from taking the Galaxy as a genuine contender for MLS Cup.
Now, in December, the Galaxy has flipped that narrative. The emergence of key defensive contributors and new signings making immediate impacts has led LA to put up its best defensive performances at the business end of the season.
“I just think, honestly, people need something to write about,” said LA Galaxy defender John Nelson when asked if the narrative of the Galaxy having a questionable defense bothers him heading into the MLS Cup Final.
“This game is going to be a game of transition moments in many ways, and we've got to have our reactions be great, and we have to defend well in those situations,” said Head Coach Greg Vanney on Wednesday ahead of the LA Galaxy’s clash with New York Red Bulls for MLS Cup on Saturday.
Vanney pointed out the clubs' improvement in advanced metrics, such as expected goals against(xGA), to highlight the progress this season. The Galaxy averaged 1.8 xGA in their first eight games of the campaign, but in their last eight matches, including the postseason, LA averaged 0.8 xGA.
One of the primary reasons for this radical improvement is the addition of two players to the starting XI: Emiro Garces and Nelson.
Since Garces entered the starting lineup, the Galaxy has conceded 1.1 goals per game in his first eight starts. LA has conceded an average of 1.9 goals per game in the last eight games without the Colombian defender.
During his media availability on Wednesday, Garces pointed out the importance of having Captain Maya Yoshida next to him in the backline. Having just arrived earlier this season, Gacres needed the mentorship on and off the field to feel comfortable at his new club and perform at his best.
What makes the Colombian so unique is his athleticism and defensive prowess. Garces’s speed, aerial presence, and aggressiveness give the LA Galaxy a boost in attributes they were lacking in defensively.
“[Garces] can defend in transition. He can track pretty much anyone down. He's aggressive in the one-on-ones and can just get into anyone's space and deal with things. And he's got a bit of that eraser quality if a mistake happens,” said Vanney to reporters.
Nelson began the season behind Julian Aude on the depth chart, but an injury to the Argentine left-back meant the 26-year-old left-back needed to step up.
He showed his defensive qualities and top-tier work rate in his starts for the Galaxy, unlike Aude, whose main qualities shined in the attack.
“Nelson's instincts are a little bit more on the defensive side. He's gotten more and more comfortable over the course of the season with our attacking play and being on the ball, how to play off the side, and all of his options there,” said Vanney.
“His defensive instincts are outstanding, and his connectedness to when we're in possession, understanding what his role is in transition, defending, and all that has given us a really good balance over on his side and the left side,” added Vanney.
The Galaxy backline is peaking at the right time and destroying the narrative of LA’s defensive issues. The Galaxy makes it hard for teams to break them down in open play and limits mistakes that result in cheap. With a national audience tuning in for the MLS Cup Final, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase that the LA Galaxy is a complete team.