LA Galaxy vs. Earthquakes Player Ratings

At this point it’s less about the players, it’s gotta be on the coach. Curt Onalfo gets an F for his tactical decisions this game and the way he’s managed the last two weeks (if not longer). LA’s players are disjointed, disorganized, and look like all their mojo is gone by the time the final whistle blows. Not only that, there is no coherent play among the offensive oriented players with a distinct lack of combination play, one-twos and creative through balls. Tonight was an illustration of that:

• Giovani Dos Santos started bright, but was promptly stranded on an island
• Ashley Cole ended the game playing at central mid (!)
• Huge Alessandrini/Lletget sized gap between Dos Santos and the defensive midfield
• Bradford Jamieson IV has not looked ready for primetime
• Miserable pressure on opponents long balls, in particular in the defensive third
• No clear assignments on corners
• If you’re going to mark one player on the Quakes, maybe that should be Wondo?

The above results in player ratings for the Galaxy that are poor all around with maybe the exception of Dos Santos for a bright start, and Jelle Van Damme for a goal and multiple instances of emergency defending:

• Brian Rowe - had a couple of decent saves on point blank shots, but also looked rusty controlling his box. Hung out to dry by his defense.
• Ashley Cole - lost Hyka to close the first half, got bailed out by Hyka’s miss. Burned by Thompson on the assist to Wondo for San Jose goal #2. Inexplicably moved to DM to go three in the back for the final 15 minutes.
• Jelle Van Damme - Jelle once again scored on a header off a corner early in the game. Blocked a goal bound shot from Thompson in minute 45. However, the minute San Jose scored their second goal he was back to bad habits and was caught upfield on San Jose’s third goal.
• Bradley Diallo - last ditch clearance in front of Wondo prevents a goal in minute 17. A culprit in standing too far off his man and letting in dangerous crosses all game long. Had a nice view of Wondo scoring his second goal while standing behind him watching.
• Dave Romney - once again no major errors and some decent emergency defending, but once again part of a defense that was overrun.
• Giovani Dos Santos - well taken corner earned him the assist on the first goal. Nice chip in minute 11 that almost beat the Quakes goalkeeper. However, after that faded from the game as the midfield couldn’t retain possession.
• Bradford Jamieson IV - needs to get the ball off his foot faster with speedier decision-making and eliminate the immediate need to dribble. Once again only had 9 touches over the first 45 minutes - needs to find the game. When he is this absent, the Galaxy are playing with 10 men.
• Jaime Villarreal/Rafael Garcia - non existent defensive midfield tandem that couldn’t apply pressure or keep possession. Garcia doesn’t pressure Wondo for the first San Jose goal and is 5 yards off his man.
• Emmanuel Boateng - two key passes, but was busy against Thompson and couldn’t get free because he was helping the overrun midfield.
• Jack McBean - passing percentage in the first half was 52%. Not good enough.
• Raul Mendiola/Ariel Lassister/Jack McInerney - ineffective, and Onalfo made the changes too late. (You’re losing 3-1 and your first sub doesn’t happen until the 67th minute?!)

Based on the defensive performance from the last two weeks, get prepared for the inevitable storylines about MLS when the Galaxy fall to ManU by double digits on Saturday.

Not a good time to be a Galaxy fan.