The Galaxy were playing to end a six-game losing streak and to save their coach’s job Sunday, not necessarily in that order. And they got one of those things accomplished in a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The fate of coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto, however, remains very much unsettled because while the win halted the losing streak a game short of equaling the franchise record, the team remains buried in last in the Western Conference standings, four places and three points out of a playoff berth with three weeks left in the regular season.
The game’s only goal came from Kai Koreniuk, his first in MLS, a minute into stoppage time. Cristian Pavón got the assist.
The last time the team won a game, Ruth Bader Ginsberg was still on the Supreme Court and the Dodgers hadn’t clinched a playoff berth, much less a spot in the World Series.
In fact, aside from a 15-day stretch in late August and early September, the Galaxy (5-9-3) hadn’t won another game for Schelotto all season. In the last six weeks, the team, which has plenty of talent but has lacked both direction and a defined playing style, has been outscored 19-6 and has led for just 38 minutes.
Sunday was the Galaxy’s season in microcosm: They lost the possession battle and were outpassed by a wide margin. And though they outshot the Whitecaps 18-7, they lacked for creativity, were ineffective in the final third and put just five shots on goal — the final from Koreniuk making those other numbers moot.
Highlights from the Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over Vancouver on Sunday.
Koreniuk, 22, who had played one minute before Sunday, came on in the 87th minute and became the first Galaxy player to score this season after coming off the bench. His one goal also equals the season production of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, the team’s $6-million offseason signing.
Whether Sunday’s result changes the mood in the dressing room remains to be seen. Frustration and anger had been building there over the last month, which is one reason Dan Beckerman, president of the Galaxy’s parent company AEG and the man who will decide the coach’s future, watched Sunday’s game from a club suite.
Schelotto, 47, came to the Galaxy in January 2019 with high hopes, a rich pedigree and a three-year deal after coaching Boca Juniors to consecutive first-division titles at home. But the Galaxy never really bought into his style, going 21-24-6 and getting outscored 89-78 since his hiring.
Dismissing him would mean the Galaxy would have to buy out the final year of his contract, which is reportedly worth $1 million.
The coach, however, might be only part of the problem. The Galaxy have had four managers in the last four seasons and the results haven’t changed. Barring a late-season surge this year, the team will finish last for the second time in four seasons and miss the playoffs for the third time in four years.
The Galaxy had never finished last and had missed the postseason just three times in 21 seasons before doing both in 2017.
Turning that around will require a deeper housecleaning, one that stretches through the front office and perhaps into the corporate offices of AEG.
At least no one has had to watch the implosion in person: Dignity Health Sports Park was empty Sunday, as it has been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But the fans are making their feelings known.
Last week, representatives of three prominent supporters groups sent a strongly worded letter to club officials demanding change. Fans gathered outside the stadium Sunday, with one carrying a sign that called for club President Chris Klein to be fired.
"save" - Google News
October 19, 2020 at 12:28PM
https://ift.tt/3m0AU2k
Galaxy win but will it save coach Barros Schelotto's job? - Los Angeles Times
"save" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2SvBSrf
https://ift.tt/2zJxCxA
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Galaxy win but will it save coach Barros Schelotto's job? - Los Angeles Times"
Post a Comment