Schelotto says LA Galaxy need to ‘keep going forward’ after Timbers loss

The LA Galaxy are coming off a loss, but they aren’t ready to throw in the towel at the MLS is Back Tournament.

After falling 2-1 to the Portland Timbers to open their tournament play in Orlando Monday, the Galaxy have their biggest test of the group stage ahead of them, Saturday against Los Angeles Football Club.

But even with the disappointment around the Timbers loss, there’s a sense around the team that they are making progress.

“I think the more important thing now is to keep going forward,” LA head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto told reporters in English during a conference call Thursday. “Don’t stop because we lost to Portland, we need to keep building the team, growing with the level of everything.”

Technically, the Galaxy have lost two games in a row, albeit with those losses coming four months apart. When asked about that, midfielder Sacha Kljestan said there has been an evolution in the team’s style.

“Well I think things look different if you analyze the first two games of the season compared to the game against Portland,” he said. “Tactically we look a little bit different now, we’re trying to get more guys in support of Chicharito, Pavon playing a little bit closer to him for those two to combine, while trying to be a little more organized defensively. But yes, creating chances is obviously the most key aspect of the game, and getting the ball to Chicharito in spots where he can finish them off is a main goal of ours. I think we’ve been able to put more guys in the box now to help with crosses we put in the box.”

Everyone asked about El Trafico being played thousands of miles from Los Angeles and with no fans present agreed it will be different, but they all said it will be a rivalry game nonetheless.

“I’m excited to play my first derby game,” said Kljestan. “It’ll be a little bit weird down here in Orlando, but it is what it is and we’re all trying to make the best of it right now.”

And with the Galaxy holding the all-time series edge over LAFC, the team is optimistic they can get on the right foot and get a result.

“We have a big opportunity Saturday night with LAFC to show what we can do,” said Schelotto.

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