What to watch for as LA Galaxy return to MLS action to face Sporting Kansas City
The second half of the MLS season begins for the LA Galaxy on Saturday night
Despite it just being 14 days off, the LA Galaxy is returning to the pitch for the first time in what feels like a while. The club’s last appearance in MLS action saw the team lose 2-1 in Chicago heading into the international break.
LA will kick off its second half of the season without midfielder Gaston Brugman (bone bruise) and potentially star playmaker Riqui Puig (groin) who is questionable for the matchup.
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez was placed on administrative leave following a report that the player violated the league’s gambling policies according to an MLS press release on Friday afternoon. SKC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their last MLS match. Peter Vermes’ side sit 12th in the Western Conference with 14 points.
The Storyline
I’ve mentioned this in different match previews before but the Galaxy needs a convincing home win. All but one home match wins have been by a margin of one goal. The one match where LA won by two goals, (3-1 won over FC Dallas) had the Galaxy winning by one goal until a deep goal in stoppage time from Puig when Dallas was playing with 10 men.
The Galaxy is trying to elevate itself into a great MLS team this season. The flashes and potential have been on display for many portions of the season but nothing has accumulated into a 90-minute win where LA is in full control.
Vanney talked to reporters on Saturday about wanting to have more discipline tactically heading into the second half of the MLS season.
"Our good moments are when we've been inside of our system a bit more often and improvise maybe a little bit less at the right moments, and we've been at our worst when we're improvising too much and we're outside the system,” said Vanney.
With nearly two weeks to analyze game film and multiple full-length practice sessions, the tweaks Vanney wants to see should be on display Saturday night.
Pec or Paintsil on the right
Joseph Paintsil will return to the LA Galaxy after missing the last four matches due to a hamstring injury. During that duration of games, Gabriel Pec, who plays on the left wing when Paintsil is in the starting lineup, had some of his best prefroamnces on the right wing.
Paintsil’s goal-dangerous moments have come with him on the right wing where he uses his explosive speed to run in behind the defensive line. His directness gives the Galaxy a threat always ready to cause chaos.
Pec plays similarly on the right wing and progresses the ball at one of the highest rates on a per-90 basis in MLS. Playing on this side of the pitch gets Pec much more involved in the attack as 44% of the Galaxy’s attacking sequences happen on the right-hand side of the pitch.
One of Vanney’s favorite adjustments to make during a match is switching both wingers to give the opponent a different look they have to adjust to. It’ll be interesting to see how both wide players look on both sides of the pitch during this game - but more importantly, who looks more dangerous on the right wing.
Adapting in midfield
The Galaxy midfield could have major changes on Saturday with Brugman out and Puig’s status up in the air - not to mention the recent departure of Daniel Aguirre to Liga MX.
Brugman and Puig are among the best midfield ball progressors in MLS which is extremely important to igniting LA’s attack. Puig tocuhes the ball the most among LA Galaxy players and is constantly finding ways to be involved going forward. Brugman is another progressive passer who can play those line-breaking passes when Puig is being defended well by the opposition. Both players have an excellent understanding on how to play together.
Mark Delgado and Edwin Cerrillo, the new addition to the blonde hair squad on the LA Galaxy, are set to be the starters for this match given the injury situation.
If Puig isn’t fit to start, Diego Fagundez could slide into that attacking midfielder role. He’s played in the position before in his career and also has a good idea of the tendencies of his teammates. His vision and attacking prowess make him the best possible replacement for Puig on the Galaxy roster.
Midfielder Tucker Lepely is yet to make an MLS appearance for LA but could get minutes coming off the bench. The Galaxy also signed Ventura County FC attacking midfielder Ruben Ramos Jr. to a short-term loan to add depth to the bench.
This isn’t the ideal situation for the Galaxy but the team has to move forward with who is and isn’t available. LA still has the better talent on paper over its opponents but has to find a way to move forward in the midfield.