CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Things We Learned from the LA Galaxy’s 0 -0 draw with the Philadelphia Unionpresented by SNHU.
DEFENSE IMPROVES AFTER CHANGE IN MIDFIELD
Head coach Curt Onalfo inserted an extra man in the midfield to shore up the LA Galaxy’s defense, and the move paid dividends as Los Angeles kept a clean sheet against the Philadelphia Union.
After being overrun in the midfield last week against the Seattle Sounders, Onalfo started Baggio Husidic alongside Joao Pedro deep in the center of the park while pushing Jermaine Jones into the No. 10 role. The switch worked immediately as the Galaxy bossed possession by a 63 to 37 percent margin and completed a whopping 568 total passes compared to just 397 last week.
With the Galaxy controlling the tempo, the Union were unable to create many dangerous scoring opportunities, relying on long distance efforts to test goalkeeper Brian Rowe.
OFFENSE SHUT OUT AGAIN
The LA Galaxy may have dominated all the possession on Saturday, but Onalfo’s squad were unable to get on the scoreboard for the second game in a row.
With Jermaine Jones pressed higher up the field, the Galaxy found plenty of space in the final third. The change resulted in plenty of chances for the Galaxy, but the team could not find the back of the net with Jones unable to convert on three shots. The Galaxy were especially unlucky in the 21st minute when Pedro’s shot from distance beat the Philadelphia goalkeeper but ricocheted off both posts before bouncing out of the net.
The stats showcased the Galaxy’s dominance as the team rattled off 13 shots against the Union, but only three found the target.
BRADLEY DIALLO SOLID AT RIGHT BACK
Bradley Diallo stated his case to become the LA Galaxy’s starting right back with a competent showing in the team’s scoreless draw with the Philadelphia Union.
The 26-year-old Los Dos graduate connected nicely with compatriot Romain Alessandrini along the right flank. The Frenchman was sturdy in defense and lively in attack, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. He also very nearly had a chance to get on the board in the 66th minute when he dribbled past two defenders but saw his shot go just wide of the mark.
At the back, Diallo nullified Philadelphia’s Fafa Picault while making six tackles on the night. After a strong showing against the Union, Onalfo will likely give Diallo another run out next week when the Galaxy host the Chicago Fire on May 6.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
