CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Things We Learned from the Galaxy’s 2-1 defeat to Sporting Kansas City presented by SNHU.
GALAXY SECOND BEST AGAINST SPORTING
The LA Galaxy simply ran out of gas against Sporting Kansas City as their eight-game unbeaten ended at home.
Starting nine players that got also played Wednesday in Colorado, the Galaxy seemed to be feeling the effects of their recent busy schedule against a Sporting side that had the luxury of not playing in midweek. Los Angeles found themselves second best in all aspects of the match in the first half, as Sporting dominated possession 63.3 to 36.7 percent.
There will be little rest for Curt Onalfo’s squad, however, as they host Sacramento Republic in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium.
CLEMENT DIOP ENDURES TOUGH NIGHT IN GOAL
Clement Diop had a night to forget on Saturday evening.
Diop committed a brutal error in the 22nd minute when he attempted to punch away Roger Espinoza’s shot from distance, only to see the ball sail into the back of the net for Sporting’s opener. In the 35th minute, Diop and the Galaxy defense were again at fault when the backline found themselves out of position as Ike Opara scored a brilliant overhead bicycle kick for Sporting’s winner.
Jon Kempin will likely return to the net on Wednesday for the team’s U.S. Open Cup fixture but expect a competition later in the week for the right to start in goal for Saturday’s league contest against the San Jose Earthquakes.
HOME WOES CONTINUE FOR THE GALAXY
The LA Galaxy’s 2017 home woes continued Saturday night.
Los Angeles fell to 1-4-3 this season at StubHub Center after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sporting Kansas City. The Galaxy’s home record remains the worst in Major League Soccer, and the Galaxy are the only club in the league without multiple wins at home.
Curt Onalfo’s squad can take solace in the fact that there are plenty of home games remaining on the docket, but their recent form at StubHub Center is a cause for concern.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
