LA Galaxy vs. Timbers Player Ratings

At this point we have to wonder if the Galaxy should just call this season a lost cause and start to think about 2018 with their new parts. The lack of offensive prowess (1 assist, 3 key passes) without Romain Alessandrini is glaringly obvious in games like these. LA needs him and Sebastian Lletget to get better in a hurry.

There are some parts that show promise. I don't think AEG has given up on the Galaxy with their recent purchases, and I do think the team will be competitive next year with all of their new parts and their new coach. But there are some players on their last legs (cough Jones cough) and they will need to be jettisoned or take sub roles in 2018.

Against the Timbers some of this was evident, though there is some cause for hope as well. Player ratings:

Excellent

• Emmanuel Boateng - great run and finish on the Galaxy's goal. Good decision to be selfish. Nearly found Dos Santos on a counter after nicking the ball off Miller. Basically had Miller in his pocket and was LA's offense. I hope no one thinks about trading him in the offseason, and he should be getting a raise.

Okay

• Pele van Anholt - nice combinations with Boateng to create danger down the right. Comfortable with no major errors - he's been a good signing, and with Diallo as his backup, the RB position finally looks shored up.
• Jonathan Dos Santos - good at keeping possession, you could see his quality on the ball. Should be a nice partner for Pedro in the middle. Tactical yellow, but he was bright in his first start.
• Joao Pedro - stellar steal and through ball to Boateng for an assist. Took a yellow for cleaning up his own bad giveaway (which was a rarity, his passing game was solid tonight according to the chalkboard, and he was everywhere in the midfield). With the addition of a key pass, he was okay tonight and did his job.

Poor

• Jack McInerney - should have finished on a stellar ball by Cole. He's a poacher, and when there's nothing to poach, he's aimless.
• Gyasi Zardes - unfortunate handball for what looked like a goal. I'm ready to send him to a wise woman to get the bad juju cloud away from his vicinity.
• Jermaine Jones - there was a play in the first half that represented a newfound discipline. I saw his whole body lurch to fling himself into a tackle...and he didn't. However, that unravelled as he got tired - starting with the missed lunge leading to Valeri's goal, and a second half where he was a flopping fish behind plays. Earned a yellow for an expected horrible tackle. He's not a starter, folks.
• Ashley Cole - should have had an assist on a stellar cross into the box to McInerney. Missed Powell on the Timbers third goal.
• Daniel Steres - lost Ridgewell on Portland's first goal. Also not quick to shut down Valeri on Portland's second goal. Bailed out by Dave Romney on what should have been the Timbers third goal after a missed leaping header. It wasn't a good game from him.
• Dave Romney - lucked out on a questionable PK non-call on Adi.
• Brian Rowe - horrible positioning on the Timbers first goal. Nice save on Nagbe later in the game, but seemed to get burned at both posts on Portland's goals.
• Ariel Lassister - late sub.

He Played?

• Giovani Dos Santos - I literally have nothing to write, that's how invisible he was.