In a preseason match against Austin FC, the LA Galaxy exhibited promising signs of form and cohesion, despite the 3-1 loss in a contested encounter at the Coachella Valley Invitational.
From the opening whistle, it only took Austin inside the first 5 minutes of the game to score their first goal on the Galaxy. The goal came as a result of a well-coordinated attacking move, with Orbian finding himself unmarked in the box after a pinpoint cross into the box from his teammate. The Galaxy's defense was caught off guard, unable to apply sufficient pressure to prevent Orbian from calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Despite early pressure from Austin FC and going down a goal, the Galaxy settled into the game, showcasing comfortable possession and a disciplined defensive posture that frustrated their opponents. Led by the composed presence of Captain Maya Yoshida and the energetic midfield displays of Cerrillo and Aguirre, the Galaxy effectively controlled the tempo of the match.
The Galaxy's defensive resilience was on full display, with Martin Caceres marshaling the backline with authority. Alongside Diego Fagundes, who showcased his versatility and tenacity, the Galaxy's defense thwarted numerous attacking forays from Austin FC, demonstrating a solid understanding and execution of their defensive duties.
One standout moment came in the 33rd minute when Gino Vivi, a potent attacking threat for the Galaxy, found the back of the net with a clinical finish, leveling the scoreline at 1-1. Vivi's goal, orchestrated by a precise cross from Delgado, epitomized the Galaxy's attacking intent and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Throughout the first half, the Galaxy's starters impressed with their cohesive performance, showcasing a blend of defensive solidity, composed possession play, and attacking flair. The defensive quartet of Caceres, Fagundes, Yoshida, and Aude demonstrated resilience and communication, while the midfield duo of Cerrillo and Aguirre provided stability and creativity in the center of the park.
Despite the absence of key players like Dejan Jovolic and Puig, the Galaxy's depth was on display, with substitutes like Chris Mavinga and Tucker Lepley integrating into the team and maintaining the standard set by the starters.
As the match progressed, both teams traded blows, with Austin FC looking to exploit spaces in the Galaxy's defense and the Galaxy remaining resolute in their defensive efforts. Novak Mićović, in goal for the Galaxy, made crucial saves to deny Austin FC's advances, ensuring the scoreline remained level until the final whistle of the first half.
As the second half began, the Galaxy maintained their lineup from the first half, with Lepley notably defending well for the Galaxy. Despite the Galaxy's efforts to defend and attack, Austin FC managed to capitalize on opportunities, scoring two goals in the latter stages of the match to secure the win.
Following the initial goal, Austin FC maintained their attacking momentum and continued to press forward in search of another goal. With the Galaxy committing numbers forward in an attempt to find an equalizer, Austin FC capitalized on the space left behind in transition.
The second goal came from a swift counterattack orchestrated by Austin FC, exploiting the Galaxy's high defensive line and exposing vulnerabilities in transition. As the Galaxy's defenders scrambled to recover, Austin FC delivered a precise cross into the box, where an unmarked attacker was able to head the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
The Galaxy's youngsters, including Bibout, Ramos Jr. and Mauricio Cuevas, made contributions off the bench, showcasing their potential for the future. However, defensive lapses and a lack of clinical finishing ultimately cost the Galaxy as they fell to Austin FC.
Despite the loss, head coach Greg Vanney and his coaching staff will likely take positives from the match, particularly the team's solid performance in the first 70 minutes. With areas to address and improvements to make, the Galaxy will continue their preseason preparations as they aim to hit top form ahead of the season opener.
Next Up
LA squares off against New York City FC on Wednesday, Feb. 14 (12:00 p.m. PT) and will close out its time at Empire Polo Club against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Feb. 17 (10:00 a.m. PT). Notably, every LA Galaxy preseason match at the 2024 Coachella Valley Invitational will be streamed live on LAGalaxy.com.
Images Provided By LA GALAXY
