Things seem to be reaching a tipping point for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Galaxy had hoped that its win over LAFC in the US Open Cup just four days ago would get them back on track to turn its season around, staring on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park against Charlotte FC. However, Saturday’s match turned out to be more of the same in terms of how badly things have gone for the once proud franchise. Its star player was red-carded and the Galaxy dropped a 1-0 decision, which apparently was enough for the Galaxy supporters group to once again vent its frustrations about the team’s performance, which in turn led to what were described as “honest conversations” between the team and the supporters group.
“It’s more of the same. More of the same message, but obviously the results haven’t been going our way so we’re going to continue hearing it and I’m not here to say that they’re wrong,” Galaxy midfielder Marky Delgado said. “They’re right. Every time we step on the field, we have to be ready. Whatever that is. Whatever we’re doing away from training, away from the game, we have to get ourselves ready. This is our job. If you’re not fully focused then why are you doing this?”
Charlotte grabbed the lead in the 73rd minute. Justin Meram sent a corner kick into the back post, Swiderski swooped into the back post area and one-timed a shot into the open net to put Charlotte in the drivers seat. Compounding matters for the Galaxy, Chicharito Hernandez picked up his second yellow card in the 84th minute when he fouled Derrick Jones while trying to beat him to a 50-50 ball, meaning the Galaxy had to chase the match for the remaining six-minutes and seven minutes of stoppage time without one of its key weapons. Still the Galaxy did its best to try and salvage the three points, as a Tyler Boyd bicycle kick inside the penalty area in the 89th minute missed the far post, and a Dejan Joveljic header off a Kevin Leerdam cross hit the side netting.
Still, the loss on Saturday, which kept the Galaxy in last place in the Western Conference, was more than the Angel City Brigade could handle. The ACB, in its third home game back since ending its boycott back in the beginning of May, led another round of chants of “we want better.” The mounting frustrations led some Galaxy players as well as head coach Greg Vanney himself to go beyond its customary post-game salute to the supporters group and actually, personally engage members of the ACB after the match.
“It was a cordial conversation, to be fair, they expect more,” Vanney said. “They want more from the group. But, it was kind of back and forth, just about, well… about the same things, this kind of a thing. Let’s just put it that way. We don’t need to go into specifics. Yes. We need to improve upon our performance today and secure the result. They want the same thing. It wasn’t anything… like I said, it wasn’t heated or anything that was more. Again, we’re all on the same team. We’re all trying to achieve those things.”
The Galaxy did have some chances throughout the match. Its best chance in the first half came just before halftime, as Puig sent a ball forward, Boyd got himself back onside, then got behind the Charlotte defense and broke for goal. Boyd managed to round the keeper, but his last touch was too strong to get himself in shooting position, so he held the ball near the end line, then played a ball back and Lucas Calegari came in for the shot attempt, but his shot was blocked. The Galaxy had one great chance in the 64th minute, as Boyd crossed into the penalty area and Chicharito jumped and one-timed a volley at goal, but Keeper Kristjian Kahlina held his ground and made the save.
