LA Galaxy Player Ratings vs. San Jose Earthquakes

The LA Galaxy built on their win against LAFC by earning another three valuable points against the San Jose Earthquakes. After a lethargic opening ten minutes, San Jose’s first goal looked like a jolt to the Galaxy’s system. LA responded, and better finishing would have resulted in multiple goals. Regardless, it was all Galaxy after San Jose scored, and ultimately the pressure paid dividends.

The second half played out much like the first, with the Galaxy going down by a goal again, but then applying pressure to not only tie, but earn the win. Inserting Jonathan dos Santos helped control the midfield, and removing Rolf Feltscher aided the cause. Most importantly, credit to the defense for closing out the game.

The things to note in this one were Nicholas Depuy once again putting in a decent shift at center back, Cristian Pavon ripping a hole in San Jose’s left side, Schelotto using two subs in the 60th, and Sebastian Lletget building in confidence. In a more active, central attacking role Lletget is having fun creating, and the Galaxy is benefitting. His partnership with Pavon seems to be getting better, which only means good things for this team down the line.

Things are starting to look a lot less bleak. Credit to Coach Schelotto for having a game plan these last two weeks.

Excellent

• Cristian Pavon - sent in a tantalizing ball after driving to the endline in the 14th minute. Shredded Thompson for what felt like the 100th time to have a shot cleared off the goal line. Beautiful shot in the 64th minute that Vega saved. Lovely set up to Alvarez *twice* after the youngster was inserted. Fantastic penalty to bring the Galaxy level. Thompson will be having nightmares about Pavon for months. Man of the Match
• Sebastian Lletget - literally stepped over what should have been the tying goal in the 13th minute. Beautiful pass to Zubak that should have had a better result in the 15th minute. Great free kick to earn an assist. Scored off of Alvarez’s corner - not a pretty goal but who the heck cares? Close to a second minutes later. He’s playing well, in particular with Pavon; Galaxy (and USMNT!) fans should be excited that this is the Lletget we are seeing.

Good

• Daniel Steres - nice stop in the 20th minute. Wonderful header to tie the game.
• David Bingham - decent save off a corner to start the game. Nice save on Vako in the 75th minute.
• Efrain Alvarez - had two opportunities to score from Pavon after being subbed on. Missed both. Sent in the bouncing ball that earned the PK. Also had the corner assist for LA’s third goal.
• Perry Kitchen - Much better. Calm, composed, 15 defensive actions and a key pass. And NO DUMB FOULS.
• Julian Araujo - ball watching on San Jose’s first goal, his man scored. Seconds later crossed in the six-yard box what should have been an assist. Earned a yellow on a tactical foul in the second half. Played two different positions, and composed himself well.
• Nick Depuy - 17 successful defensive actions. ‘Nuff said.

Okay

• Ethan Zubak - went down far too easy for a penalty in the 15th minute instead of running through. Three key passes though!
• Emiliano Insua - let his man cross on San Jose’s first goal. Passing suspect up the left. That said, 15 defensive actions, and he wasn’t as bad as his right-sided counterpart.
• Joe Corona - Kitchen was more active in this game. Amazing, I know.
• Jonathan Dos Santos - looked way less rusty this week. Far more active and spry.
• Kai Koreniuk - late sub.
• Emil Cuello - late sub.

Poor

• Rolf Feltscher - lost his man at the very beginning of the game resulting in a shot on goal. Just missed finishing off a stellar pass from Pavon in the 14th minute. Yellow card after being burned in the 52nd minute. Let 16-year-old Cowell roam for San Jose’s second goal (to be fair, it was an absolutely stellar finish). 6 defensive actions - woof.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.