HARRISON, N.J. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano give his Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon.
WATCH: Cahill's game-winning goal for NY
LATE GOALS CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE LA GALAXY
A point would have been a fair result for all the back and forth action between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls, but a late goal left LA empty handed.
Tim Cahill’s stoppage time winner was the sixth goal that the Galaxy have allowed this season within the last 15 minutes of the match. When the Galaxy have allowed a goal in the last 15 minutes, they are a disappointing –and winless—0-3-2.
The cure to this issue of late goals is simple in theory, but complicated in practice: concentration. LA must be able to maintain their presence of mind for a full 90 minutes if there is to be any hope of ending this problem. One aspect of LA’s defense that must improve is defensive set pieces as two of LA’s losses when conceding in the 15 minutes have come from set piece opportunities.
JAMISON OLAVE IMMENSE IN GALAXY DEFEAT
The LA Galaxy attack entered their match with the Red Bulls with their attack rolling, but in the end, center back Jamison Olave put the brakes on the Galaxy attack.
In a match that was a veritable track meet due to the rainy conditions, Olave’s positioning placed him in the right place to prevent the Galaxy from establishing a rhythm offensively. Olave did not need to make any dramatic goal line clearances like A.J. DeLaGarza did in the first half,, but his 12 interceptions were vital to New York’s defensive efforts. His finest moment came in the 76th minute when he was able to stifle a Galaxy counter attack by blocking a Hector Jimenez shot with a sliding tackle.
The center back made his impact felt on the game-winner as well as he made a crashing run far post that sent Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza tumbling, allowing Cahill to nod his header past Carlo Cudicini.
JUST THREE POINTS FROM ROAD TRIP
The LA Galaxy set a goal of nine points from their three-game, nine day road trip, but return to Southern California with just three points.
The trip was a series of ebbs and flows as the Galaxy struggled against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, but were able to regroup with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. However, a defeat against the Red Bulls has the Galaxy in a minor slump with one win in their last four matches. What impact this particular road trip will have on the team remains to be seen, but at times these trips can be important bonding experiences for a team still looking to find their identity.
The Galaxy will have to regroup as they look toward Sunday’s match against Seattle Sounders FC before embarking on yet another road trip as they travel for U.S. Open Cup play before a match at Gillette Stadium against the New England Revolution.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
