5 Takeaways From LAFC's 2-2 Draw With The Galaxy

I've seen this movie before, just different scenery. And I really didn't like it the first time. Luckily, it didn't end exactly the same.

Carlos Vela gave LAFC an early lead against Galaxy - he now has three goals in two matches against them - with a header in the seventh minute. In the 20th minute, Lee Nguyen doubled the lead with a free kick, and once again, LAFC were ahead of their rivals 2-0 at halftime. But there would be no third goal for LAFC, and no getting Zlataned by the Galaxy in the end, although dropping a two goal lead with less than 10 minutes to play will feel like a loss.

Here are the takeaways from LAFC's 2-2 draw with the Galaxy at Banc of California Stadium:

Hoping For The Best For Mark-Anthony Kaye

There's dropping points, and then there is this. Hearing Bob Bradley start his press conference by saying Mark-Anthony Kaye had fractured his ankle and needed surgery was devastating. 

Kaye's emergence from prospect snatched from the USL to surefire starter in MLS has been one of the best stories in LAFC's inaugural season. From day one, he came in ready to learn and has been on an upward trajectory in Bradley's system. Off the field, Kaye is awesome with the fans and great to work with. He doesn't shy from tough questions and is most often his own harshest critic. 

There's obviously no timetable for him as of yet, but Bradley's concern told a lot of the story. Here's to wishing Mark-Anthony a speedy recovery.

So Impressed By Nguyen

Lee Nguyen had his best match in an LAFC shirt against the Galaxy.

First off, that free kick... just so elegant from the midfielder. He lifts the ball over the wall with a bend that is always carrying away from the Galaxy goalkeeper. Pure class from him.

Nguyen made LAFC's midfield tick in his 77 minutes on the pitch. Look at this pass map, all green:

But it wasn't just his passing efficiency that caught my eye. One of the things Bradley focuses on in training is what some people might consider minutiae. It's the way players collect passes, what foot they use, and how their body is orientated, because a lot of what LAFC does depends on timing. Nguyen was always between the ball and his man, or took his first touch in a way that opened him to space and where he knew his teammates would be. That allowed him to play quick and play clean. And the Galaxy simply couldn't get the ball off him as a result.

Better Days For André

André Horta's LAFC debut will be a headline for many in this match. And a punchline to others.

I'm not worried one bit about him though. The decision that led to the tying goal was the mistake of a young player looking to do too much. But we're talking about a player that has played in Champions League matches at young age and grew up in one of the toughest academies in the world at Benfica. Mistakes can happen, but he's definitely got the wherewithal to get through tough moments.

After all, he did nearly put LAFC ahead when his left footed shot thumped off the post in the 89th minute. 

The Real Difference Is Around The Margins

Some of the takes I see and hear boggle my mind. I'm going to guess most of them are from frustration, but let's not forget LAFC were up 2-0 into the 82nd minute of this match. While someone could counter with the capitulations of the past i.e. the first Galaxy match or the trip to Houston, would they also concede that LAFC hit the post on multiple occasions in the second half. 

At 0-0 Bradley has a proactive system that wants to pull teams out of position and then exploit those spaces to create goals. That same system gets LAFC to 2-0, and yes, they need to tighten things, but you also can't fault them for looking to kill the game by continuing to find space and create chances. For instance, if Adama Diomande scores instead of hitting the post in the 76th minute, this match is put to bed. So spare me some of the calls for overhauling everything. The same football that got you to 2-0 could have made it 3-0. It's not as simple as running out to a lead and then packing it in.

But The Mentality Could Be Better

Here's something that does worry me. In light of the let down in the derby once again, Vela said he felt that after the first goal, some of his teammates were "scared" and didn't want the ball. 

That is the real concern when it comes to giving up points.

This team is built on having the ball and making it work for them - see the takeaway above. If players are afraid to play the system when they concede, the problem isn't a "better defense," it's mentality. So that worries me, because that's not always an easy fix. But it's not necessarily the same as needing to be more defensive or change the players on the pitch. You can count on one hand the teams in MLS that have an a unique identity in this league. And just like real life, in a lot of ways having your own identity takes courage. It's why the coaching staff challenges the players everyday in training and hammers that narrative. 

You win your way to trophies, you don't hold on for them. The squad has to accept that challenge and rise to the occasion.