The Galaxy were 20 minutes away from their second win Saturday, but allowed two goals and suffered their fifth loss of the season in nine games.
After Tuesday’s scoreless draw against Tigres in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal, the Galaxy turn their attention back to MLS play, briefly, for a trip to Utah to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
The MLS defending champions’ search for the perfect 90 minutes resumes.
“We obviously have to concentrate a little bit on the stuff to try to create more goal-scoring moments, create good quality chances for ourselves,” said Galaxy coach Greg Vanney, whose team is 1-1-1 in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. “I like our defending over the last several games, I think we’ve been more connected as a group, taking away dangerous moments.
“We have to stay solid defensively and for us it’s continuing to build on goal-scoring and good creation of goal-scoring moments.”
The Galaxy (0-4-2 in MLS, two points) have scored five goals in six MLS games and allowed 12. RSL (2-4, six points) has allowed five and allowed 11.
Some of the Galaxy’s concerns could start to lessen as Joseph Paintsil continues his increase of minutes. Paintsil played 30 minutes Saturday and 45 minutes Tuesday.
“I think we’re making real progress,” Vanney said. “Two things: We have to eliminate the self-inflicted wounds on the defending side, that can undermine any progress if you continue to just make mistakes that weigh on the team emotionally. That’s got to remain consistent.
“Then you’re talking about how do you win games and I think that’s next thing for us. It’s building more speed in our final actions, timing, more guys at the front of the goal, bringing the transition moments back into this team where I felt like in the first handful of games, we didn’t have a ton in transition, from defending to attacking. But then the other night (Tuesday), you see Joe (Paintsil) in transition, all of a sudden there’s a different speed element and he runs by the center back. He’s one touch from cutting that guy off and it’s a different situation.
“It’s getting all of the guys on the same page in terms of these final actions, final moments, transition, these opportunity moments that we have in front of us. I see progress. I think our in-possession stuff has been solid, but wins and losses, there are fine lines between not making mistakes, not giving opposition much and then really recognizing those details in the final action. I don’t think at the moment, we’re going to win games 3-0, 4-0, right now until a lot of these pieces start to come together. We’re going to need to win games 1-0, 2-0, maybe 2-1, we’re going to have to be collectively aware of where we’re at as we build through this process.”
Sanabria, Cuevas injury updates
Lucas Sanabria (broken collarbone) and Mauricio Cuevas (hamstring) are trending toward being available soon.
Vanney said Sanabria would be first, likely available April 12 against Houston Dynamo.
“He’s doing great,” Vanney said. “They love the healing that’s going on. Today (Friday) he was in training, but he was like a quarterback, we were trying not to be physical with him and hoping he doesn’t fall too many times. He came out and he started juggling and the next thing you know, he fell on the ground, fell on the arm. They’re really pleased with the healing, so sometime in the week, he’ll be involved. He might be available for some role on Tuesday (in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup), a target for sure is the Houston match.”
“I would put Mauricio in the week to 10 days. Maybe Houston or soon thereafter. He looks good, he feels good, he’s chomping at the bit. It was fairly significant (injury), so it’s a process at this point.”
Marco Reus (knee) remains sidelined.
GALAXY at REAL SALT LAKE
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
How to watch: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)
