LA Galaxy Player Ratings vs. LAFC

It’s refreshing to write about the LA Galaxy leaving it all on the field, resulting in a victory. There were some errors in this one, notably, deciding to play about 2/3 of the game in their own defensive third while panicked, but more clinical finishing, a stout defense and plain old luck gave the Galaxy three points and a spot at the top of the MLS leaderboard.

It’s glaringly obvious the Galaxy need some speed and a defensive midfielder, and it looks like some recent additions may help with that. Against LAFC, Dunbar and Kljestan provided some much needed energy and pace in the case of the former, and some veteran wiles in the case of the latter. Derrick Williams had a much better game, Cameron Dunbar showed the brightness we all liked in him a year ago, and Chicharito continued scoring. Plus, thank goodness for Bond, and Vanney once again spotted the right issues to fix.

This is definitely not sustainable, however, and the Galaxy will continue to be punished by better teams a la Seattle, and remember, no Carlos Vela this game.

The yellow card palooza was a result of the effort, and that’s okay. Letting the ugly hang out because you’re gutting out an effort in the interest of three points wins out at the beginning of the season.

At least it’s fun to watch this team again, eh?

Player Ratings

Excellent

• Chicharito - fantastic finish on the first goal. Earned a yellow card on a rash tackle. Great individual target forward work to set up dos Santos’s goal for an assist. But the view of him protecting the lead in the 94th minute by trying to steal the ball in the corner? That’s gold. Man of the Match
• Jonathan Bond - double save in the 32nd minute. Another save off an LAFC shoe in the 41st minute.
• Cameron Dunbar - created the Galaxy’s second goal by himself. Against three defenders. His energy was instrumental to pushing LAFC back.

Good

• Jonathan dos Santos - along with Harvey a lack of closing a pass down led to LAFC’s goal. Great placement for his first goal in ages. Don’t care about the yellow card due to his excitement - was great to see from the captain.
• Derrick Williams - don’t know if he meant it, but what a sliding tackle pass to Chicharito for the assist. Last ditch tackle saved a goal in the second half.

Okay

• Samuel Grandsir - nice run to start the game forcing a ball into the box. Stupid flick instead of a clearance resulted in a back to back shot for LAFC.
• Adam Saldana - earned a yellow card on a flying tackle to end the first half. Gets caught in possession a lot and needs to get the ball off his feet faster.
• Ethan Zubak - needed to pass to a wide open (seriously, he was on his own continent) Grandsir on a breakaway to start the second half.
• Carlos Harvey - stood off the pass to allow LAFC’s first goal. Aggressive challenge to earn a yellow card. Critical clearance at the end of the game.
• Sacha Kljestan - didn’t seem to be on the same page let alone the same book as Lletget. That said, great veteran play to retain the ball, throwing his body around.
• Jorge Villafana - earned a yellow for a flying tackle. But not at fault for much else.
• Efrain Alvarez - added some creativity on the field.
• Daniel Steres - sliding tackle saved a shot in the 10th minute.

Poor

• Sebastian Lletget - pinned back for much of his time on the field.
• Julian Araujo - lucky Rossi missed a shot in the 4th minute. Stopped a few passes from coming into the box. But in general, Rossi ate him for lunch…and dinner. Yellow card for wasting time at the end of the game.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.