CARSON, Calif. – Defensive liabilities are hounding the LA Galaxy as they head into their final regular-season game on #DecisionDay, aiming to claim the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference ahead of an Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoff run that they hope leads to a fourth championship in five years.
They're giving up costly late goals again, 93rd-minute equalizers three weeks ago in Seattle and in Wednesday's CONCACAF Champions League draw in Guatemala, and conceded five in the second half of their last league outing, last weekend's embarrassing loss at home to Portland.
Now they head into a maybe-must-win encounter – the Galaxy (14-10-9) could lose and finish second in the West with the right combination of results elsewhere, thus avoiding the postseason's play-in round – against a Sporting Kansas City side that might require a victory just to get into the playoffs (7 pm ET, ESPN and ESPN Deportes; MLS LIVE in Canada).
“It's frustrating for all of us,” associate head coach Dave Sarachan said ahead of Sunday's #DecisionDay clash at Sporting Park (7 pm ET; ESPN). “I've been asked the question [why], and, unfortunately, I can't give you a simple answer.
“We talk about it, we rehearse, but when the moments come, maybe it's just a matter of luck. Maybe it's the odds have been against us. Clearly, from a standpoint of concentration and the ability to just get locked in, I think when we've failed, we've gotten punished.”
LA have been punished mightily for end-of-game collapses since claiming their first MLS Cup title under head coach Bruce Arena in 2011. With better defending in the final minutes – they've conceded 59 goals in the 75th minute or later in MLS and CCL games since the start of the 2012 season at a price of more than 55 points – they might have won every Supporters' Shield since.
“Who's won MLS Cup over the last four years,” Arena said in response.
And he’s right. The Galaxy added trophies in 2012 and 2014 and, regardless of where they finish, will be expected to put up a strong fight for another title over the next six weeks.
“When you look at the players we have, you think we should be able to get it right. For whatever reason, we haven't,” right back A.J. DeLaGarza said. “Will it come in the playoffs? It better, and I sure hope so, because on paper you would take this team over any team, probably, in league history, I would say. But we're not playing like that, and that's what it comes down to.”
LA can finish anywhere from second to sixth – sixth only if Sporting scores nine more goals than do the Galaxy – and they've been poor on the road, with just two wins (and 14 goals) in 16 MLS games. They've not won in three previous trips to Sporting Park.
“[Sporting] has to win the game, so they'll press, they're be aggressive ...,” Sarachan said. ”We have goals still to finish second in the division. It's perfect for us, in my opinion. Having an important game at the end of the season is better than if we just rode in with a 12-point lead.
“I mean that. I think it gets you ready and gets your mindset ready [for the playoffs].”
The Galaxy haven't been able to approximate their form from mid-June through mid-August, when they scored 50 goals in 15 competitive matches while winning a dozen times. During that stretch, they posted just four shutouts – one in the US Open Cup and another in the CCL – and have only three MLS clean sheets in 19 games since late May.
The 5-2 loss to Portland was the low point. The Galaxy looked to be in command at halftime, then gave up three goals from the 65th to the 75th minutes and two more near the finish.
Arena acknowledges that he's concerned.
“It can get better, and it will get better,” he said. “[It's] some guys making mistakes. Without me making an advertisement over it or printing posters, some guys individually have made some bad mistakes that have cost us goals.
“Everything can be better. Whether you want me to describe it as shape or whatever, everything can be better when the other team has the ball.”
Arena says he didn't show video of the Portland game to the team this week, but defensive acumen – and holding concentration in the waning minutes – has been an emphasis.
“Obviously, there's an underlying factor,” center back Omar Gonzalez said. “Maybe it could be the mental lapses, maybe it could be the lack of effort, or maybe it could be different things, but for the most part we know what we have to do to get results. This time of year, we have to be spot-on in every facet of the game.”
Scott French covers the LA Galaxy for MLSsoccer.com.
