The Los Angeles Galaxy had hoped a Saturday afternoon matinee against Orlando City would serve as a bounce back coming off a tough loss to the Seattle Sounders last week.
However, Orlando City served a reminder to the Galaxy that this promises to be another marathon to the finish line. One strike by Facundo Torres early in the match was enough for Orlando, and they handed the Galaxy a 1-0 defeat at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“Another game that we just didn’t execute on the final actions, and we showed vulnerability in the transition, and gave one away early on, then made it an uphill struggle,” said LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney.
Orlando struck nine minutes in. Ruan played a ball forward, Ercan Kara outraced Galaxy defender Nick DePuy to the ball, Kara then crossed into the penalty area and Torres’ leaping header went in near post with hardly any resistance from keeper Jonathan Bond.
The Galaxy pressed for the equalizer from that point on. Seven minute after Torres’ goal, the Galaxy had a chance in the 15th minute, as Rayan Raveloson played a ball for Kevin Cabral, but Cabral fooled the Orlando defense with a dummy, with left Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez open inside the box, Chicharito fired the shot at goal, the shot was stopped by keeper Pedro Gallese, Cabral attempted a scorpion kick on the rebound attempt, but didn’t get enough of the ball on his back foot and Gallese collected the ball.
The Galaxy continued to apply the pressure in the second half. Victor Vasquez sent a corner kick in the 53rd minute into the penalty area, Cabral headed a ball for the far post area, but Kara cleared the ball at the goal line. Ten minutes later, Julian Araujo sent a cross into the penalty area, Chicharito shot a ball for the far post, and a run by Cabral had the potential to throw Callese off and perhaps allow the ball to go in for a goal, but the shot missed the far post by inches.
“More execution just of the final play, where we were just a half-step late or early or just the final touch was like a half touch off tonight,” said Vanney . “It was just not very clear and precise in our execution in the final play today.”
The Galaxy’s next match coming off the international break will be against the Portland Timbers on April 3.
