CARSON, Calif. – The last thing the LA Galaxy will do is use excuses for their inconsistent play, according to midfielder Nigel de Jong. But there are plenty to choose from as the five-time MLS Cup champions prepared for Wednesday’s clash with Western Conference-leading Colorado at StubHub Center (7:30 p.m., Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Time Warner Cable Deportes).
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De Jong, for example, could have discussed suspensions and various injuries, including leg ailments that sidelined Steven Gerrard and Giovani Dos Santos in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Toronto. Right back Robbie Rogers now is out for at least six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery this week.
De Jong also could have pointed out the absences of Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, who have combined for eight goals but are missing because of duties with their national teams (Ireland and the United States, respectively).
But De Jong did not have any way to explain the Galaxy’s trend of allowing late goals. They have been scored on nine times in the final 30 minutes of matches, including a stunning one by Marco Pappa in the 95th minute of a 1-0 loss to the Rapids on March 12 in Colorado.
“It is frustrating conceding too many late goals,” De Jong told reporters Tuesday. “I don’t really like to use excuses. We’re dealing with a couple of things… we’re dealing with suspensions, injuries, guys that are not here during tournaments.
“I don’t think we played these last 14 games with the same XI. You gotta deal with those things. Fortunately we’re not at the end of the season. It is frustrating, but we have to deal with it and bounce back in our game tomorrow. Luckily at home we’re very strong. We just have to go for the win.”
The Galaxy (5-3-6), winless in five games and tied for fourth in the West with Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver and San Jose, will be facing a Colorado (9-2-4) side that has been the talk of MLS. The Rapids have scored only 19 goals, but their strength is a defense that has allowed a league-low 11. Goalkeeper Zac MacMath, acquired during the off-season from Philadelphia, has five shutouts and a 0.73 goals-against average. Defender Marc Burch was named to MLS’ Team of the Week after last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Chicago.
“They’ve had a good start to the season,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. “I think they’ve been a team that’s demonstrated they can grind out results. Even on days when they aren’t at their best they’ve managed to get points.”
Said midfielder Mike Magee, “Their fight is off the charts.”
That’s something the Galaxy could use, particularly in the late going of matches when the team has looked so vulnerable. Arena admitted it is has been a disturbing trend.
“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “That’s soccer; if you don’t understand that you shouldn’t be playing. If you watch the European Championships right now it’s pretty much the same story. It’s just a question of being a team that takes advantage of the closing minutes of games and doesn’t lose it.
“In the NBA the team that can hang in that series and be the tougher team at the end of the game won the championship. That has a lot to do with who wins in sports.”
