After Tuesday night's draw with the Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy team captain Ashley Cole said his team needs to be harder on each other in order to bring home the points.
The defender, who scored the game's opening goal in the second half, said that the team needs to work on tactics and mentality — and it starts on the training field.
"We have to start kicking each other, because we don't kick enough of the opposition," Cole said. "We're too soft, we're too nice to each other. That has to change."
Fans saw a familiar game of follow the leader against the Rapids, which may have given some viewers a case of déjà vu from past outings against Orlando and LAFC. In each of those matchups, the Galaxy scored first and the opposing teams eventually caught up to earn draws. Tonight, however, it was a one-for-one duel, with the home team taking the first goal and the visitors matching them just a few minutes later. Rinse and repeat (though Sebastian Lletget can take credit for the night's second tally) and Cole's frustrations became clear.
"I think we're disappointed in how we're conceding goals. We have to change the mentality and intensity that we train," he explained. If the Galaxy has eyes on the playoffs this year, and the captain certainly hopes that they do, the team needs to turn up the intensity, whether it's a game night or a practice session. "We've got a lot of experienced players and we can all take criticism. We can all take a kick in the ass sometimes if needed. It's needed now. Picking up the odd point isn't enough. We need to start winning games."
Head coach Sigi Schmid echoed Cole's sentiments. "We had the lead twice, we need to hold onto the lead," he said. "The commitment, I don't know if it's there." With a formation change in the second half, he felt that the team gelled together — and the two goals after halftime reflected that — but it still wasn't what he needed from his men to take a win.
Both Cole and Schmid noted that organization and communication were lacking. They both added that the Galaxy was the better team on the pitch, but the Rapids seemed to find their footing and click, getting to the back of the net to counter everything lobbed against them. And though the game ended in a draw, players and fans alike just weren't satisfied.
"We need more," Schmid said of his team's drive. "These guys have to step up and we've got to figure it out. We're not going to make the playoffs by going one point at a time."
