TORREÓN, Coah. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides the “Three Things That We Learned” from the Galaxy’s 4-0 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg defeat to Santos Laguna.
SANTOS LAGUNA SHOW THE LA GALAXY THAT THEY STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO
Santos Laguna put on a clinic on Tuesday night as they bounced the LA Galaxy from the CONCACAF Champions League with devastating effect.
Throughout their victory, Santos were clearly in midseason form as their sharpness on and off the ball was apparent. Once the Guerreros took the lead, they did not relent as a Galaxy team still finding their fitness was unable to compete. Even as the Galaxy attempted to work their way into the match, Santos was able to repel any chances and punish any defensive errors.
Los Angeles had few bright moments in the loss and after going 180 minutes without a goal, it is evident the Galaxy’s attack still needs to find its footing
GERRARD AND DE JONG PARTNERSHIP STILL NEEDS WORK
The LA Galaxy’s big loss shows that the team still has much to work not just in defense but also in the center of the park.
The midfield tandem of Steven Gerrard and Nigel de Jong found itself constantly on their back heels on Tuesday night, as they were too often unable to keep possession against a Santos side always looking to press. This inability to control the midfield had a two-pronged effect on the Galaxy as the forward pairing of Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes found themselves starved of service while the team’s defenders were too often under pressure.
Both Gerrard and De Jong have the pedigree to dominate, but the two veteran midfielders will have to develop a connection as the league’s season begins. If not, LA could be in for a long season
IT’S TIME TO CHANGE GEARS
The Galaxy’s participation in the CONCACAF Champions League may have ended on a balmy evening in Torreón, but Los Angeles still have plenty to play for this year.
Bruce Arena’s squad will now turn their attentions to the start of the MLS regular season, which begins on Sunday against Eastern Conference rival D.C. United at StubHub Center. After a grueling match in Torreón, one would expect plenty of fire from this Galaxy side when they take on United.
Possessing as talented a roster as the club or league has ever seen, the Galaxy have high aspirations of competing for silverware throughout the year. However, they’ll have to use this defeat as motivation heading into the league slate.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
