After a winless June and getting eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup, the Galaxy is hopeful that things will be better in July.
The Galaxy lost to Sacramento Republic FC in Open Cup quarterfinals, settled for a 1-1 draw against Portland and last Wednesday allowed three first-half goals before rallying for a somewhat respectable 3-2 defeat.
July is a busy month, starting with Monday’s home game against CF Montreal (7:30 p.m., Spectrum SportsNet), which is also the first of a four games in 13 days.
“I guess there are a few ways to look at it when you’re coming off of a loss,” Galaxy midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. “You take the second half (against Minnesota United) into account, when you’re down a man and dominating a team and scoring a couple of goals so maybe you come off (the field) with a little bit of energy.
“After the game we said to each other that second half, that intensity, that energy, that mentality is the way we have to play every game if we really want to be a playoff team.”
The Galaxy (7-6-3, 24 points) will officially reach the halfway mark of the 34-game season. Even though it begins the week above the playoff line and has been throughout the season, this seems to be an important stretch.
“There’s still plenty of time left in the season,” Kljestan said. “Obviously, we’ve had this goal all year to be a playoff team and that we believe that we have enough good players to challenge for trophies and we don’t want to get to the last game of the season like we did last year, having to get a result in the last game of the season just to make the playoffs. I don’t think that’s good enough for a club like us. We have to set our standards higher.
“I think the goals are big for this team and we’re still pretty confident in each other that we can push this thing forward.”
For Galaxy coach Greg Vanney, the goal is to get the team playing like it was before the international break. The Galaxy closed the month of May with dominant wins against LAFC (U.S. Open Cup) and Austin FC. Since the return, they’ve been out of rhythm, as the standings in the Western Conference have tightened.
“We found our really good rhythm going into break,” he said. “We had put together two full, I believe, 90 minutes of the right intensity against two very good opponents.
“I think as a group, we recognize internally what the dynamics have been and so I think we all kind of as a group, we understand we’re trying to get guys back to healthy, we’re trying to get back up to speed. I think the group still knows what their quality is and what they’re capable of … I don’t think, I know.”
Shorthanded for next two games
The Galaxy will be without 2/3 of its Designated Players due to red card suspension.
Kevin Cabral and Douglas Costa will sit out the game after both received red cards in last Wednesday’s 3-2 loss against Minnesota United. Costa, it is expected, will receive an additional game for his elbow incident. He would not only miss Monday, but also Friday’s game against LAFC.
“That’s a play that’s he’s got to be way smarter than that,” Vanney said. “It’s an emotional outburst that cost him and cost us and again, it’s silly because it’s in a moment where I felt like he showed …he showed a little bit more quickness little more decisiveness. … I felt like there was a different level of commitment inside of the lines and so it’s unfortunate that now he has to sit out two more games.”
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