SAN JOSE, Calif. – The LA Galaxy were left searching for answers on Monday after a flat performance saw their U.S. Open Cup dreams come to a halt at Avaya Stadium.
Jelle Van Damme found the back of the net once again, and Curt Onalfo’s team staged a late rally, but ultimately fell short as the Earthquakes earned a 3-2 victory in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal edition of the California Clásico. Despite cutting the Quakes’ advantage to one late, the Galaxy were once again left believing that their performance simply wasn’t up to par.
“Everyone has to put themselves in front of the mirror and start stepping up,” Van Damme told reporters after the defeat. “Old, young, experienced, inexperienced, everyone has to look in the mirror and step up. It’s just not good enough.”
Most importantly, Van Damme stated that the team needs to be smarter throughout games.
Against San Jose, the Galaxy often found themselves guilty of defensives lapses that freely allowed the Earthquakes opportunities to test goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Los Angeles’ hiccups were punished as Chris Wondolowski notched a brace while Danny Hoesen added a third from a costly Galaxy give away.
The stat sheet demonstrated the Earthquakes’ dominance as the Galaxy were outshot 20 to eight on Monday night.
Although the Galaxy have dealt with a rash of injuries and absences throughout the season that have forced Onalfo to put out a series of different lineups, Van Damme says the time is now for his squad to get a little more intelligent.
“You don’t only need your feet, but you need your brain as well to play football,” Van Damme said. “That’s what didn’t happen today. Everyone needs to step it up.”
Their Open Cup hopes gone, Van Damme is adamant that the Galaxy will “bounce back” as they turn their attention to reaching the postseason for a ninth consecutive season, and his teammates agree.
“We have to look inside ourselves to see what we’re doing wrong to become a better team for the second half of the season,” Giovani dos Santos said following his first action for the team since returning from international duty. “We want to be in the playoffs, and we want to win our sixth title.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
