CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy may be in the middle of a summer swing up the MLS standings but there has been a lingering issue that has plagued the team amid their recent hot streak.
Conceding early goals.
Since their July 4 victory over Toronto FC, the Galaxy compiled a 7-2-0 record in competitive matches but have conceded first in six of those matches. During that nine game run, LA has conceded in the opening 30 minutes four times.
To date, the Galaxy have allowed 11 goals in the opening 30 minutes of league matches this season, with six of goals coming in the first 15 minutes of games. Last weekend against FC Dallas, the Galaxy once again conceded first as Dallas took the lead in the 33rd minute before Robbie Keane tallied two goals in the second half to give LA the victory.
"We have to have better concentration early in games. A lot of the early goals were plays that we could clearly do better on to prevent some goals," Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. "If we don't concede early goals then I think that we'll put ourselves in position to win a lot more games."
Keane agrees.
" We need to stop conceding first and foremost," he said after the victory over Dallas. " If we do that then we might go on and win a lot of games. When you're chasing the game, it's always difficult but when that does happen, you have to show a lot of character and show a lot of heart. Everyone has to stick together and we've certainly done that in the last three games."
