Galaxy still has room for improvement as second half of regular season gets underway

The Galaxy’s Marco Delgado turns with the ball between teammates Diego Fagúndez, right, and Gastón Brugman during an MLS game against the Houston Dynamo late last month at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Galaxy finished the first half of the 34-game regular season with a loss to the Chicago Fire on June 1.

The loss may have taken some of the shine off a strong start to the season, but the Galaxy players and coaches know they are in a much better position heading into the second half.

“I would say a B,” Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado said of what grade he would give the team for the first half. “Simply because there are so many matches where we could have taken more points. Our performance could have been much better. We have had performances where you can see we are a great team, but not consistent in every game.

The Galaxy (7-3-7, 28 points) begins a busy week in fourth place in the Western Conference. The club scored 31 goals and allowed 25.

“I really liked the number of offensive things we were able to do, showing our dynamic side, our ability to be dangerous both in our possessions that turn into attacks, but also in our transition game,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “Our good times were when we got into our system a little more often and then improvised a little less.

“If we can tighten up the defensive side a few times, make sure everyone takes responsibility on the inside and make things more predictable for ourselves, we will be more efficient and we will do a better job of protecting our box and our goal .”

The second half begins with a three-game week, beginning Saturday night at home against struggling Sporting Kansas City (3-9-5, 14 points), followed by a home match Wednesday against New York City FC (9-5-2). , 29 points) and an away match next Saturday (June 22) against Real Salt Lake (9-2-6, 33 points).

“The guys had five days of play, now you have to speed it up again and get a rhythm and flow back and we’re right in the middle of a busy three-game week,” Vanney said. “We don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to it, we just have to be ready to go.”

The Galaxy will get a boost with the return of Joseph Paintsil (hamstring). Paintsil (four goals, five assists) has missed the last four games, but with a busy schedule his use may be limited this week.

SKC ended a 10-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders last week, but are mired in 12th place in the West. The Galaxy (4-0-3) is undefeated at home.

“These two home games (Saturday and Wednesday) are important for us,” Vanney said. “We have been strong at home and I think we need to continue this momentum. There’s 17 games (remaining) in the season, so I don’t know if anything… if we’re close to having to win, but I think our mentality is we have to win at home and we have to take care of the teams which are at the lower end of the table.

Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (groin) landed on the injured list Friday afternoon, so his status is questionable. Puig has only missed one game this season, due to accumulating yellow cards.

FERKRANUS AND AGUIRRE LEAVE

Since the Galaxy’s last game, defender Marcus Ferkranus and midfielder Daniel Aguirre have been transferred.

Ferkranus, 21, who had spent his time with the second team (Galaxy II/Ventura County FC), joined Brisbane Roar FC in Australia. Ferkranus made his professional debut with Galaxy II in 2021 and joined the Galaxy Academy as a teenager.

Aguirre, 24, joined Liga MX side Chivas for an undisclosed transfer fee. Aguirre, who played at UC Riverside, joined the Galaxy II in April 2021 and made his first-team debut later that year and ended up making 60 appearances, including this season.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY at GALAXY

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Or: Dignity Health Sports Park

How to watch: Apple TV+ (seasonal subscription)