The LA Galaxy made an electric start to their playoff run with a 5-0 thrashing of the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, October 26.
They’ve put the league on notice with one of their best performances yet under Greg Vanney, but they still need another win to avoid getting knocked out in the first round.
The LA Galaxy brought their best form last Saturday as the Playoffs returned to Dignity Health Sports Park. They hosted the Colorado Rapids in the first match of their best-of-three series and handed them their worst playoff loss in the history of this original ‘96 club.
Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljic each scored two goals, supported by what Greg Vanney called one of the best performances he can remember.
The defensive unit, starting from the wingers and down to the backline, defended so staunchly that they didn’t allow a single shot on goal and gave up just nine touches in their box throughout the entire game.
Backline is Back on Top
The LA Galaxy are continuing to prove that defensively, they are a far cry from the team that conceded 67 goals in 2023.
Miki Yamane, Carlos Emiro Garcés, Maya Yoshida, and John Nelson haven’t started many games together yet, but they are quickly looking like one of the best starting back fours the Galaxy has seen in some time.
Captain Maya Yoshida has been a fantastic addition since joining midway through 2023 as part of Will Kuntz’s first batch of signings. Since then, his quality, consistency, and importance as a role model and tutor for the team’s young players have made him one of the team’s most important assets.
Always partnered with the younger and quicker Jalen Neal and Emiro Garcés, Yoshida’s experience and game management keep the boys focused when their minds wander. They also keep their Captain covered in behind with their ability to close ground quickly.
Yoshida’s compatriot, Miki Yamane, also adds similar experience and stability to the backline, but he also has the tools to be a threat in the attack. His assist to Johnny Nelson’s first career MLS goal was yet another example of his fantastic eye for goal and even better composure.
It’s not typical for a defender to drive towards the box, cut inside, dribble through the most crowded area of the pitch, and release a brilliant threaded pass, but Yamane isn’t a typical defender. He is much more audacious going forward but does so with such confidence and skill that he hardly ever makes mistakes or leaves his side vulnerable.
Across the pitch, John Nelson has built an excellent case for being Vanney’s first-choice left back. He’s collected 13 starts this season, most of which arrived after Julian Aude’s injury back in July. He proved to be ready when called upon, and his consistently strong play has led to 10 wins in those 13 matches.
The highlight of his Galaxy career so far will definitely be his most recent game against the Rapids, where he scored an absolute stunner and created another goal with some brave dribbling.
Overall, this backline is impressive and, as seen on Saturday, can be utterly dominating when properly supported.
Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, Edwin Cerillo, Mark Delgado, and even Riqui Puig made a real effort to press after losing possession, trackback, and defend as a team.
If you were to ask Maya Yoshida as reporters did during the presser, he would say that a performance like this “has to be the [the] standard.”
Moving forward, Jalen Neal might have a larger role as Vanney confirmed that Garcés picked up a knock and might need to have his minutes managed.
Even without the young Columbian, the LA Galaxy must put in another complete performance if they hope to progress to the knockout rounds.
Looking (Too Far) Ahead
Should they get that second win and advance, LA will face the winner of the series between Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United.
The objective will be the same regardless of their opponent, but the numbers suggest that Real Salt Lake would be the more favorable opponent for the Galaxy.
As the second seed in the conference, LA has earned the right to host either team. This means that the best way to assess how this potential matchup will go will be to look at the arrivals away record.
Salt Lake has earned 23 points on the road this year, 23 of which were earned at home. Despite finishing lower in the table, Minnesota earned more away points with 26, suggesting they might be more capable of pulling together at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Regardless of who they end up facing, LA must be aware that while they are yet undefeated at home, this will be the first time a team plays for their lives in an elimination game at DHSP. The stakes will be even higher than in the match last Saturday, and the Galaxy must prove that it can rise to the new challenge.
This would all be pointless conjecture should the LA Galaxy not make it past the first round.
They will be best served by making sure they handle business as quickly as possible against Colorado.
Ending the series early will give them another week to rest, prepare, and get ready to face the Conference Semi-Final against one of Salt Lake or Minnesota United in November.
First things first, they must focus on the second and potentially decisive game of this opening playoff round.
They kick off again at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado on Friday, November 1st.
PHOTO: Bailey Holiver/Imagn Images
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