Why Do the LA Galaxy Keep Allowing Goals Late in Games?

The LA Galaxy have a recent problem of allowing late game goals that cost the team wins and crucial points. They have allowed late goals in five of their last seven MLS matches.

The LA Galaxy have been costing themselves points recently as they have allowed late game goals in four of their last six MLS matches and in the two that they didn’t, the match ended in a scoreless draw. The team has struggled to defend at the end of games. They will need to figure out this problem before it continues to happen.

Even though the Galaxy are one of the highest scoring teams’ in Major League Soccer, they have struggled to get wins as of late because of their poor defending at the end of games. The team has not allowed a lot of goals this season but the timing of opponents goals have disappointed and heartbreaking.

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The Galaxy are winless in their last seven MLS matches, not because of losses but because of draws that should have been wins. They have drawn five out of their last seven games with most of those games being the result of costly late game goals from the opposition. the team has not won since May 8th.

They have allowed goals to the Philadelphia Union, the San Jose Earthquakes twice, the Montreal Impact, and to Toronto FC in recent matches. All of those goals came in the last 30 minutes of games. the trend began against Philadelphia when they allowed a 63rd minute goal to result in a 2-2 draw.

Los Angeles drew twice against San Jose because of goals that they allowed in the 87th minute in one match and in the 90th minute of another game. Both of those games ended in 1-1. They allowed a 76th minute goal to Toronto to take a 1-0 loss. The most disappointing one being against the Montreal Impact in the 90+4 minute to result in a 4-3 loss.

The team has allowed 10 goals in the final 30 minutes of games so far this season. The galaxy can not be successful if they keep allowing late game goals that cost them wins and points. Defender, A.J. DeLaGarza said that “We’ve got to do better at the end of games. Once you get to that mark, that 70-minute mark, you’re thinking we got to get out of here with at least a point” after the team’s loss to Toronto.

LA’s defense is usually their strong point with so much experience at the back but this season has been a miserable blunder at the end of games. Their poor play has cost them 11 points in their last seven matches. If they held results in the final 30 minutes of those seven games, they would be at the top of the league with 34 total points.

Obviously never allowing a late goal is not realistic but limiting them can be done. No team should ever allow as many late goals as the Galaxy have this season , especially in the short span of games that they have. This is either on the defense, head coach, Bruce Arena, or both but someone needs to be held accountable for missed points.

The team has been accused of parking the bus far too early in trying to hold their results instead of attacking and adding to their lead. Fans are not satisfied with the recent results and a change in style at the end of games may change things. The return of Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane should help boost the team going forward.

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The LA Galaxy are still in the thick of things in the Western Conference playoff race but they will need to figure out this problem before it continues to cost them points. This team is too talented to not get results and wins because of late game goals. Hopefully they can fix their recent struggles.