FRISCO, Texas – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Things We Learned from the Galaxy’s 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas.
LA GALAXY CLINCH BERTH IN 2016 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS DESPITE LOSS
The LA Galaxy clinched an MLS Cup Playoff berth, but not the way that they wanted.
Despite their 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas, the Galaxy secured a playoff spot due to the Portland Timbers’ loss to Colorado Rapids. The Galaxy have now made the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons. Due to the loss, however, the Galaxy were eliminated from the 2016 Supporters’ Shield chase and cannot earn the top spot in the Western Conference.
With two weeks before their match against the Houston Dynamo, the Galaxy will need to get their season back on track if they are going to make a run at a sixth MLS Cup.
LA GALAXY OFFENSE FALLS FLAT AGAINST DALLAS
Bruce Arena’s deployed all his big guns against FC Dallas but they were unable to fire on all cylinders on Saturday.
In a vitally important game against Dallas, the Galaxy attack fell silent as the midfield struggled to connect with Robbie Keane and Giovani dos Santos, who were starved of service. Only twice did the Galaxy truly threaten the Dallas defense as Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard saw attempts just miss the mark. In the end, the Galaxy managed just a single shot on goal in the defeat.
Now with just two games remaining before the playoffs, Bruce Arena must find a way to reignite his offense heading into the postseason.
STEVEN GERRARD RETURNS TO THE LINEUP IN DEFEAT
Steven Gerrard made his first start in more than a month in the Galaxy’s 1-0 loss to FC Dallas.
The former England captain went 69 minutes in central midfield during the Galaxy’s defeat, starting in the middle with Jeff Larentowicz. The 36-year-old was oft-targeted by Dallas’ midfield as the home side often overwhelmed the Galaxy’s midfield sparking counterattacks on the other end. The central midfielder admitted afterward that he should have buried his lone chance of the evening in the first half when he failed to convert on a breakaway that ultimately proved costly for Los Angeles.
With just two games remaining in 2016, the Galaxy will need Gerrard to find his groove again to make a prolong run in the postseason.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
