CARSON, Calif – The LA Galaxy’s 3-0 defeat to the Seattle Sounders on Sunday wasn’t just a demoralizing setback – it was one of the worst losses in club history.
As the Galaxy have never lost by four goals at home in their 20-plus seasons, Sunday’s three-goal loss tied for the biggest margin of defeat in LA’s history at home. It was the first time they’d lost by three goals since falling 5-2 to the Portland Timbers late in the 2015 season.
Barring individual moments of brilliance from new Designated PlayerRomain Alessandrini, the Galaxy are struggling in the attack. Fellow DP Giovani dos Santos hasn’t recorded an assist or a goal from open play this season, and forward Gyasi Zardes has yet to find the net in four games since returning from injury.
Dos Santos did lead LA with four chances created on Sunday, but none ended up leading to a shot on goal.
When asked about a lack of production from dos Santos after Sunday’s game head coach Curt Onalfo said simply, “I won’t comment on that”.
From the perspective of Galaxy captain Jelle Van Damme, the issues weren't with the game plan, but with the execution.
“I think it’s about the execution,” he said. “We can only blame ourselves. We had too many bad passes, we didn’t win any second balls, any 1-v-1s, so we can only blame ourselves. That’s it.”
After going down 2-0 in the 35th minute, Onalfo removed winger Emmanuel Boateng for central midfielder Baggio Husidic. Onalfo said after the game that he brought Boateng off because LA were being “overrun and overloaded” and couldn’t pass their way out of their own half, a notion Van Damme agreed with.
“They got a few corners and suddenly we dropped too much,” said Van Damme. “At one point we were defending for 15 or 20 minutes, and when we got out, our passing wasn’t good enough to hold the ball. Then you’re constantly under pressure.”
For the Galaxy, who have already equaled their combined total home losses from the last two seasons with three home defeats this year, being stuck behind the ball for that long isn’t something the club is used to. For someone with a long tenure with LA like goalkeeper Brian Rowe, it’s a strange feeling – especially at home.
“We weren’t able to keep possession of the ball or able to move it,” said Rowe. “What they did to us in the first half was what we’re usually able to do to other teams.”
