CARSON, Calif. -- LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena spoke to reporters following the Galaxy's 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers.
On how concerned he is with the team’s number of injuries:
“It’s all part of the game. It happens every year. Sometimes they come quickly, sometimes they’re spread out. It’s all part of it; you’re never going to go without injuries. It’s all part of the game unfortunately. It’s a part of the game we don’t like, but it’s a part of the game.”
On the play of LA Galaxy’s Giovani Dos Santos:
“He played OK. He hasn’t played since the first game. He’s only played 45 minutes this year coming into this game so to get 65 minutes out of him was good. You could see he needs a little more time, but it’s good to get him back.”
On how Portland’s defensive shift changed LA Galaxy’s offense attack:
“I wouldn’t change anything based on what they did. Obviously it wasn’t good enough. Probably our best chance was Magee’s which you’d at least like to see get on goal. We controlled the play for long periods of time but still didn’t produce enough quality opportunities.”
On the performance of LA Galaxy’s Rafael Garcia:
“It’s the one position on the field we really didn’t have cover for. Rafael has played there before; that’s why we put him in. The other choice would have been Romney, who could [have played there]; he’s a left-footed player. But Rafael has had enough experience there and we put him in. And I thought he did a solid job. I think on the goal he could have done a little better job, but overall I think he had a good game.”
On the performance of LA Galaxy’s Sebastian Lletget:
“I think he was very aggressive and created some chances for us. He was a handful. He was close to pulling off some plays that could have, perhaps, created a goal. I think overall he had a good game.”
On if the team has struggled finishing because of Robbie Keane’s absence up top:
“Sure. He’s been our leading goal scorer and obviously the loss of Dos Santos for most of the season and not having Gerrard takes a little away from our attack. But those are just excuses and we can be a little bit better. The teams that play us are pretty defensive in nature so we have to be a little bit sharper to break them down
