LA Galaxy vs SKC: “Everyone has to be ready”

The LA Galaxy started the second half of the season off on the right foot with a 4-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City. Greg Vanney’s system wins and Gabriel Pec gains strength in the absence of star Riqui Puig.

Dignity Health Sports Park remains a fortress after the LA Galaxy defeated Sporting Kansas City 4-2 on Saturday, June 15. Goals from four different players got Greg Vanney’s team across the finish line in a game that at times threatened to go one way or the other.

The uncertainty began on Friday, when it was revealed that Riqui Puig and Gaston Brugman would be unavailable due to two niggling injuries.

After the match, Greg Vanney revealed that Riqui Puig picked up a groin problem earlier in the season but was able to overcome it until the recent break. During the team’s downtime, the medical staff decided to end Riqui’s playing time until he was completely over the pain, rather than letting him continue to exert more pressure on the muscle. Puig has already completed about a week of recovery and could be ready to go again later this month. the coming week.

The case of Gaston Brugman is more serious. The bone bruise he suffered in his knee while warming up for the game against Chicago presents a sensitive situation considering the knee injury he suffered in 2023. The medical staff opted for a conservative approach for the recovery of each, stopping Brugman until the pain disappears completely. Greg Vanney said Gaston’s recovery it could take at least two more weeks.

You can’t blame fans for being pessimistic about this game upon learning of the loss of their star player, but this victory revealed how Greg Vanney’s system can thrive even without Riqui Puig.

Corner of the Galaxy’s Catamount recently released a excellent piece which explores the conflicts between the much criticized Vanney ball and the much loved Riqui-ball. Essentially, Riqui doesn’t adhere to any system or game plan because he believes he IS the system. It can be difficult to challenge that belief when he’s producing magic and conjuring goals out of thin air, but the rebuttals quickly become apparent when Puig’s chaos leads to defensive breakdowns.

In this match against Kansas City, without Riqui Puig, Greg Vanney felt that his players were positionally more stable and predictable in terms of knowing the positions occupied by their teammates. This is the purest example of Vanney-ball yet, as the coach’s system was able to manifest itself without the influence of the team’s enigmatic Spaniard.

Greg Vanney’s players must show how much they have internalized his principles and how capable they are of scoring when they play by the rules. Within the system, Gabriel Pec managed to shine, being involved in all four of the Galaxy’s goals.

The young Brazilian was in great shape on Saturday evening. His runs and interactions with his teammates were instrumental in unlocking Kansas City. He combined with Dejan Joveljic for the first two goals, received a brilliant pass from Miki Yamane before setting up Joseph Paintsil for the third, and turned around a defender to allow Miguel Berry to score the fourth.

This was arguably Pec’s best performance for the Galaxy so far. As he gains confidence and comes to a better understanding with his teammates, his output will only improve, painting a scary future for MLS defenders.

Miki Yamane also had an excellent match. His progressive runs and the overloads they create allow the Galaxy to exploit the half-spaces where wingers like Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil can flourish. Yamane was involved in Pec’s goal and stunned DHSP with a nice pass to create Paintsil’s goal.

Another player to note is Diego Fagundez. The Galaxy number 7 played the role of 10 and helped lead the team to another positive result. The Los Angeles Galaxy is unbeaten in each of Fagundez’s nine starts this season.

After the match, Diego Fagundez was asked several times how he thought the team played without Riqui Puig. His answers revolved around the idea that the Galaxy had to find a way to win every game, regardless of who was available or not.

He said, “Everyone has to be ready,” and cited each of the night’s four scorers as proof that the Galaxy has what it takes to win, even without Riqui Puig.

Puig’s return is highly anticipated among supporters. Greg Vanney will also be happy to have him back, but mentioned that his goaIt will be about finding a way to integrate Riqui Puig and his talent into the system that proved successful against Kansas City. If Saturday’s result is any indication, a successful marriage between Vanney-ball and Riqui-ball has the potential to be unstoppable.

Before Vanney can continue trying to contain the diminutive Spaniard, he must focus his attention on Wednesday night’s game against Real Salt Lake. The LA Galaxy will celebrate June 16 at home and will look to continue to prove that their system is enough to get results.

PHOTO: THE Galaxy