Foreign Exchange: Three questions with the Galactic Tribune's Alex Ruiz
You know this team, but with the offseason changes they made, perhaps you don't really know them. Here's an update on what the Galaxy bring to the table.
Whenever Austin FC plays LA Galaxy — and it feels like it happens quite a lot — I call on Alex Ruiz of the Galactic Tribune, part of The Striker crew from three and four years ago, who has been on top of the Galaxy beat even before that.
It's a Galaxy team we know, but with some wrinkles, so let's get to the questions. (I answered questions going the other way, so check his site to see what I said about Galaxy fan favorite Guilherme Biro.
Also, a programming note: Moises will be taking care of At the Whistle today, and I'll pick back up at some point over the weekend. This is the first home game I'll miss this season, and I will miss it. Have fun at Q2, everyone!
Once again, the Galaxy has remade its offense without Riqui Puig in it, and Joao Klauss leads the team with five goals ... what's different from last year, and can Klauss sustain this pace?
It’s not really too different aside from the upgrade at striker. Klauss adds a bit more bite compared to Christian Ramírez and Matheus Nascimento. He’s taken his chances and shown quality finishing in those moments. It also helps to have an upgrade in the talent around you compared to his St. Louis days.
The attack is very dependent on the wingers, but mostly on Gabriel Pec. Head coach Greg Vanney has talked often about the importance of getting Pec moving with the ball into the final third. That’s where the LA Galaxy is at its best in the attack. Klauss and Pec have built a good connection on the pitch. If Pec is impacting the game, that helps Klauss get better looks on goal.
Two of the Galaxy's biggest offseason signings were defensive — Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak. How are they fitting in, and are they making the defense better?
Glesnes has been a revelation for the Galaxy this season. Unlike some previous Galaxy defenders, he doesn’t bring chaos with him into the backline. It’s easy to see why he’s been one of the top defenders in MLS over the past few years. Whether that’s in aerial duels or one-on-one defending, Glesnes has shone in those moments. It’s a real bummer that he will remain on the sidelines due to injury for at least a couple more weeks. I've said there is a real argument for him being the most important player on the Galaxy through the first game, with and without him.
With Haak, it’s still a work in progress to see what he can bring to the table. Vanney is now using him primarily as a center back instead of being in the midfield. It will take a bit more time to really assess him and see what he provides to the Gs. At the moment, he has not stood out compared to Glesnes. I might need a few more games to really garner a rock-solid opinion on him.
Now that the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup series with Toluca is behind the Galaxy (at an elevation of 8,750 feet on the road, nbd), how do you think they'll approach this match against Austin?
The Galaxy has everything to play for on Wednesday at home. The two away goals help (in a 4-2 loss), but Toluca can easily get in the groove in the attack. I’d expect a good amount of rotation in the midfield and players not going the full 90 minutes. I’d expect to see most of the lineup that played last weekend against Minnesota, with LA's best players not going the full 90.
The Galaxy traveled from Toluca straight to Texas. Vanney expressed that he’s not too happy that this game is on a Saturday afternoon, but does appreciate the extra day to recover for the second leg. Trips to Texas in recent years have also not been the most successful for the Galaxy.
With CCC being the only other competition for the Galaxy, the club will focus on getting a result at home. Toluca is arguably the top team in Mexico, and it will be quite the result if LA manages to win the game. Vanney’s seat is getting warmer, and being eliminated from CCC isn’t going to help the questions surrounding him.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
Austin FC has given up five goals to opponents in the final half-hour of matches so far this season. That's resulted in six points given up that they can't get back.
A photographer sacrificed a camera and fans experienced a stadium that wasn't entirely finished. But they also got to be part of history in a way that the Inter Miami faithful wasn't expecting.
Remember that Guilherme Biro is the first player to have scored in Nu Stadium. Also remember that, despite two straight draws against MLS elites, a troubling trend is brewing.
Whenever Austin FC plays LA Galaxy — and it feels like it happens quite a lot — I call on Alex Ruiz of the Galactic Tribune, part of The Striker crew from three and four years ago, who has been on top of the Galaxy beat even before that.
It's a Galaxy team we know, but with some wrinkles, so let's get to the questions. (I answered questions going the other way, so check his site to see what I said about Galaxy fan favorite Guilherme Biro.
Also, a programming note: Moises will be taking care of At the Whistle today, and I'll pick back up at some point over the weekend. This is the first home game I'll miss this season, and I will miss it. Have fun at Q2, everyone!
Once again, the Galaxy has remade its offense without Riqui Puig in it, and Joao Klauss leads the team with five goals ... what's different from last year, and can Klauss sustain this pace?
It’s not really too different aside from the upgrade at striker. Klauss adds a bit more bite compared to Christian Ramírez and Matheus Nascimento. He’s taken his chances and shown quality finishing in those moments. It also helps to have an upgrade in the talent around you compared to his St. Louis days.
The attack is very dependent on the wingers, but mostly on Gabriel Pec. Head coach Greg Vanney has talked often about the importance of getting Pec moving with the ball into the final third. That’s where the LA Galaxy is at its best in the attack. Klauss and Pec have built a good connection on the pitch. If Pec is impacting the game, that helps Klauss get better looks on goal.
Two of the Galaxy's biggest offseason signings were defensive — Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak. How are they fitting in, and are they making the defense better?
Glesnes has been a revelation for the Galaxy this season. Unlike some previous Galaxy defenders, he doesn’t bring chaos with him into the backline. It’s easy to see why he’s been one of the top defenders in MLS over the past few years. Whether that’s in aerial duels or one-on-one defending, Glesnes has shone in those moments. It’s a real bummer that he will remain on the sidelines due to injury for at least a couple more weeks. I've said there is a real argument for him being the most important player on the Galaxy through the first game, with and without him.
With Haak, it’s still a work in progress to see what he can bring to the table. Vanney is now using him primarily as a center back instead of being in the midfield. It will take a bit more time to really assess him and see what he provides to the Gs. At the moment, he has not stood out compared to Glesnes. I might need a few more games to really garner a rock-solid opinion on him.
Now that the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup series with Toluca is behind the Galaxy (at an elevation of 8,750 feet on the road, nbd), how do you think they'll approach this match against Austin?
The Galaxy has everything to play for on Wednesday at home. The two away goals help (in a 4-2 loss), but Toluca can easily get in the groove in the attack. I’d expect a good amount of rotation in the midfield and players not going the full 90 minutes. I’d expect to see most of the lineup that played last weekend against Minnesota, with LA's best players not going the full 90.
The Galaxy traveled from Toluca straight to Texas. Vanney expressed that he’s not too happy that this game is on a Saturday afternoon, but does appreciate the extra day to recover for the second leg. Trips to Texas in recent years have also not been the most successful for the Galaxy.
With CCC being the only other competition for the Galaxy, the club will focus on getting a result at home. Toluca is arguably the top team in Mexico, and it will be quite the result if LA manages to win the game. Vanney’s seat is getting warmer, and being eliminated from CCC isn’t going to help the questions surrounding him.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
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