LA Galaxy puts in underwhelming performance against SKC but still gets an away point

The LA Galaxy came away with a point on Saturday night, dueling Sporting Kanas City to a 0-0 draw. Perhaps the scoreline flattered the visitors, as SKC put pressure on them for most of the match, registering 30 shots total. The Galaxy midfield struggled to settle in the game and was the key reason for the defensive shift put in the game.

“Today I felt like some of those combinations and some of those actions just never really got off in the right way because, first of all, we weren't in great positions in the first half," Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney explained after the match. "The second half was a little bit better, but again, in just too few passes, we were losing the ball. We were either too slow with it or tried something we didn't need to try." 

The Galaxy put up just eight shots by contrast and didn't test SKC goalkeeper John Pulskamp, illustrating why the current roster still needs to be tuned before the end of the transfer window. 

Let's get into the major talking points from this game

Not getting past Bond

The Galaxy player of the game was undoubtedly goalkeeper Jonathan Bond; his 11 saves helped LA preserve its first shutout of the campaign and showed the wisdom in locking him in for another two years during the offseason. But why did Bond have to step up to the level required? 

"Structurally we were kind of all over the place, which led to transitions where you spend a lot of energy on the defensive side and a lot of energy protecting your goal and defending the box," observed Vanney. 

Kansas City accumulated an xG total of 1.3 during the match, but Bond's shot-stopping was key to keeping SKC from scoring — the team still hasn't managed to get on the scoreboard in 2023, to their fans' dismay. 

"We need to definitely bring those numbers down," said Bond regarding the shots he faced. "I think the reality is that we grinded and we got a point, but we can’t play like that every week because eventually the opposition is going to put one or two away."

LA's struggle to build out possession consistently, plus losing balls in bad areas, led to them defending in their half for the majority of the first half and in parts of the second. 

"We didn't do a good job of controlling the middle of the field, which should be one of our strengths given the midfield that we have," Vanney said. "We lost so many balls in front of those guys that they probably had an unprecedented amount over 90 minutes of transition defending moments that they had to deal with. When Bondy was called upon, he made those plays. So, again, proud of them because, again, in a way, we've had some changes and some different things across the back line and we're still a little bit unsettled in that side of things, but the guys managed the night well." 

Saturday's game was a reminder of how important goalkeeping can be. 

Failing to set up the talisman 

Heading into the match, I talked about how the Galaxy needed to find ways to feed Dejan Joveljić up top. After getting just two touches in the box against Dallas, though, he failed to get a single touch in the penalty area through 65 minutes at Children’s Mercy Park.

“We were a little bit more patient, but, it became a tough night for the striker," assessed Vanney. "It became a night where he had to work hard defensively, to try to keep the group together in many ways and find his moments to hold up the ball." 

Efraín Álvarez and Memo Rodriguez were activated as the wide players once again in the Starting XI, but they couldn't impact chance creation and scoring opportunities to the degree needed. During the match, Álvarez and Rodriguez combined to accumulate just four shots (two on target), two chances created, and they were just one for foru on crosses.

These two players are the weakest link in the Galaxy midfield due to their play style. With Vanney trying to create spaces through runs and movement on the back line, as Samuel Grandsir and Kevin Cabral did last season, he can’t replicate that with players who aren’t true wingers. Both are naturally midfielders, tend to cut inside, lack explosive pace, and play in the half spaces rather than running in behind on the wing to move the center backs. Just take a look at their heat map through two games this year.

Although these are good spaces to be in, LA has three other midfielders around this sector of the field, which clogs the space and limits how often Joveljić can touch the ball. Here's a demonstration of how little width the Galaxy had in the first half. 

"We missed a little bit of the speed and the stretch and the players who put the back line on notice, because if they get tight or get high, you're going to go in behind them," Vanney noted. "And that softens things up for our midfield to be able to play as well." 

Once Tyler Boyd came into the match, he was able to get the ball in wide areas and provide more pace. He’s still working into match fitness and could provide a different look when he gets his first start with the club. Although it’s just two games, LA will have a hard time supporting their striker with how the wide players affect the game.

Neal stands tall

Earlier in the day, 19-year-old center back Jalen Neal was informed he would make his first LA Galaxy start. The form from his good preseason with the Galaxy translated to his first MLS action of his career. Neal didn’t show nervousness and handled the Kansas City road atmosphere like a veteran.

“With Jalen in particular, I don't know if I can keep saying as many good things about the kid," Vanney said. "It’s going to start going to his head at some point. He's been outstanding from the day he played a preseason game with the U.S. team." 

Neal was prepared for how SKC might play. “This whole week we’ve been talking about working on defending the transition play. We knew that was going to be a part of the game today,” he said after the game. “Playing in a place like Kansas City, it’s hard to play. You can’t expect to keep the ball the entire game. And they’re a lively team.”

His center back partner was 35-year-old veteran Martín Cáceres, a presence that helped Neal feel more secure. With Neal looking solid on the road, the question now shifts to if he'll start in the Galaxy's home opener against Vancouver next week. 

Chris Mavinga came off the bench but didn't move his stock with his performance and Sega Coulibaly will be returning from France this week according to Vanney. Neal left a good impression his first time out and made the case he belongs in future lineups.