CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy got their wake-up call ahead of the postseason, now it’s up to the team to answer it before the start of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Galaxy suffered a 5-2 defeat to the Portland Timbers, fueled by an overwhelming showing by the visitors in the second half. For the final 45 minutes, the Timbers out-muscled the defending champions winning the battles in duels (36-25) and tackles won (13-3) en route to a victory.
After the Galaxy's worst home performance since 2009, all that was left to do was hold up their hands and admit that something must change.
“I think it’s a good wake-up call. When was the last time we got beat like that? Especially in one-half,” said Omar Gonzalez. “The first half we were playing really well, we were looking good, were working hard, and then the second half is totally a different story and we just fell apart. The effort just wasn’t there, from top to bottom and we just got outworked.
“I think the way everyone feels right now is a good sign because everyone really cares. Everyone knows that tonight wasn’t good enough; everyone knows that it wasn’t good enough for the fans, wasn’t good enough for the club, and so we know that we have to wake up and come out better. We have one more game to get ready for the playoffs, and we have to get things right.”
The Galaxy's final match of the regular season will likely determine if the Galaxy can either lock down the second seed in the Western Conference or possibly finish anywhere from third to sixth, and be forced to play in the knockout round. A win over Sporting Kansas City on the road and the Galaxy will finish second in the West, but a loss or draw and LA will find themselves forced to take the long way en route to a sixth MLS Cup.
If the Galaxy are going to recover against Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, one thing is for sure: the team must be more physical than they were on Sunday.
“It should be a gimme,” said Steven Gerrard. “Since a young boy, every footballer should be coached to be more physical and aggressive all over the pitch. I mentioned midweek that every time that we're not physical enough... we get found wanting. That certainly happened in the second half tonight."
