ICYMI: Reaction to a wretched LA Galaxy performance against the Seattle Sounders

Galaxy beat writer Damian Calhoun described Sunday’s pitiful performance by the Galaxy against the previously unimpressive Seattle Sounders as “disappointing“; in contrast, much of the other reaction out there was considerably less charitable.

You can read my take on the LA Galaxy in my 100 Percent Soccer column Thursday.

In the meantime, gnaw on this:

(The shuttle doesn’t operate until after the 90 minutes are up; I left at half time explaining that the game really was over, but no bus was available. A kindly supervisor spared me from watching the rest of the second half though, giving me a ride to my car at Harbor Gateway Transit Center).

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ICYMI: Watch the highlights of the Galaxy’s MLS home opener against FC Dallas

Poor Galaxy finishing, crucial defensive errors and a general lack of experience at this level overwhelmed the flashes of promise of things to come from Jermaine Jones and a not yet match-fit DP Romain Alessandrini in the home loss to Dallas.

Read more in the game report from Staff Writer Tuc Nhi Nguyen.

Also, how well do you know new Galaxy coach Curt Onalfo?

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100 Percent Soccer column: Second consecutive late-season MLS slump has LA Galaxy on back heels (again)

Seattle Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris (13) takes a shot on goal against the LA Galaxy, during the first half at the StubHub Center. Seattle Sounder won 4-1.     Carson Calif., Sunday, September ,25, 2016.        (Photo by Stephen Carr / Daily Breeze/ SCNG)

Seattle Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris (13) takes a shot on goal against the LA Galaxy, during the first half at the StubHub Center. Seattle Sounder won 4-1. Carson Calif., Sunday, September ,25, 2016. (Photo by Stephen Carr / Daily Breeze/ SCNG)

Read this week’s 100 Percent Soccer column here and check out the goals below.

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ICYMI Video: LA Galaxy pay price for “terrible defending” and are knocked out of U.S. Open Cup

usopencuplogo

Read the story by Staff Writer Damian Calhoun on the Galaxy’s overtime disintegration.

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Galaxy grind out 1-0 road win against Seattle

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane celebrates after he scored a goal against the Seattle Sounders in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 9, 2016 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane celebrates after he scored a goal against the Seattle Sounders in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 9, 2016 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena gave his team a B-minus for the first half of its season. After back-to-back league victories, it seems the Galaxy are poised to pull up their final grade by season’s end.

L.A. held on for a gritty 1-0 win over Seattle on Saturday at CenturyLink Field as a clutch save off the line from A.J. DeLaGarza preserved a lead from Robbie Keane‘s 15th-minute goal.

The team that couldn’t stop blowing leads now has two straight clean sheets in MLS play and three straight across all competitions.

“We’re learning,” Arena told reporters after the game. “We lost points in maybe three or four games this year in similar games on the road. It’s good to see we’re growing and understanding what we need to do to close out games.

“On the day, you know you’re going to come in here and it’s never going to look real good. You just have to get a goal and grind it out, and we did.”

All three of the Galaxy’s losses this season came from goals given up in the final 15 minutes and stoppage time of games. During the first 16 matches of the season, L.A. (7-3-8) conceded 10 goals in the final 30 minutes.

The Sounders (5-10-2) outshot L.A. 22-7 Saturday. But when under pressure from a desperate Seattle team chasing a much-needed victory, the Galaxy defense did not break this time.

“We defended a lot tonight and we had to,” DeLaGarza said. “Those are games that we lost points on earlier in the year, and we got out of here with the win today.”

Keane scored his second goal in as many games since returning from international duty. The Irish striker, who celebrated his 36th birthday Friday, tallied his sixth goal this season in only eight games played.

Goalkeeper Brian Rowe recorded four saves to preserve the shutout, but the biggest save of the game came from DeLaGarza. The defender stopped a shot from Sounders rookie Jordan Morris after Rowe came off his line, leaving the net empty.

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Galaxy game day: Steven Gerrard hits his stride

Steven Gerrard scores a goal against New England's Bobby Shuttleworth to cap off the Galaxy's 4-2 win on Sunday. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova // Daily Breeze/Press-Telegram

Steven Gerrard scores a goal against New England’s Bobby Shuttleworth to cap off the Galaxy’s 4-2 win on Sunday. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova // Daily Breeze/Press-Telegram

Steven Gerrard committed a costly defensive error that led to the Galaxy’s season-ending playoff loss to the Sounders at CenturyLink Field last season. Several months later, the 36-year-old midfielder will return to Seattle in truly fine form.

Gerrard is third in MLS with seven assists in 12 MLS games played heading into Saturday’s noon game. He is coming off his first multi-assist game of his short Galaxy career and has assists in back-to-back games.

“I don’t want to settle for that,” Gerrard said. “I want to keep pushing and keep trying to add to my numbers. Certainly in this position, I know I can create chances. I’ve done it all my career.”

The Galaxy will play their Western Conference rivals three times this month, twice in MLS road games and once at StubHub Center for a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal. While the series is also heated as the two teams consistently battle for top prizes, L.A. has nearly always come out on top.

“When they came into the league, I think that they called us out. They thought they’d challenge us, and it didn’t work out well for them,” forward Mike Magee said. “They’re still trying to be what the Galaxy is. They’re doing a great job. They have great fans and a great team, but I’d say, to be honest with you, they’re a little jealous.”

Seattle had a dreadful start to the season. Typically in the hunt for a top playoff spot, the Sounders are stuck at the bottom of the Western Conference with 17 points. Four of the team’s Western Conference-leading losses have come at home.

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