CARSON, Calif. – New LA Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid was delighted to return to the sidelines on Saturday.
In his first match since being named new Galaxy head coach on Thursday, Schmid’s side showed a new sense of energy and defensive discipline as they picked up a vital point against Seattle Sounders FC. The scoreless draw was just the Galaxy’s fourth shutout of the season.
Although the Galaxy couldn’t get three points in his first match in charge, Schmid was pleased with his team’s effort.
“I thought we did a good job defending. The game got open in the second half, but on the same token we had a couple of good chances,” Schmid said. “Our offense will get better, but I was happy with the effort and the fight that everyone put in for each other.
“When I look at the last few results the team has had at home I consider this a little more of a success. Even though it is one point and one point at a time is not going to get us to where we want to go, but it is certainly something we can build upon.”
On the field, Schmid’s team looked revitalized.
A week after conceding four goals in New England, the Galaxy were disciplined defensively as they shut out a Seattle squad that entered the match having scored 11 goals during their three-game winning streak. With the Sounders’ attack silenced, the Galaxy had numerous opportunities to find a potential game-winning goal, but Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei denied the home side with four saves.
Despite the scoreless draw, the Galaxy were happy with the new direction under Schmid.
“You can feel that Sigi brings in that experience of someone who’s won championships,” midfielder Jermaine Jones said. “What we’ve done already in training, he stops and corrects what he doesn’t like. I think today you can see that we played compact and it’s a small piece that we can look up to that will make us work harder.”
Added defender Ashley Cole, “I think whenever you change a manager the next game you either win or you play well, so that’s how things happened today. But we’ve got a long way to go. It was fine for the players, but so far so good.”
After earning a point against the Sounders team that dismissed him a year ago, the winningest coach in league history was overjoyed to be coaching once again.
Sigi Schmid following tonight’s draw vs. Seattle: “I was happy with the team’s effort on the field” #LAvSEApic.twitter.com/PG77vAnOG3
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 30, 2017
“It was great to be back on the sidelines,” Schmid said with a beaming smile. “I love this game. No one is ever going to take that away from me. It’s just a passion, and hopefully, I can convey that passion to my players.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.