Los Angeles Galaxy Say They Are Better Than Their Record: Fan's Reaction

Posted Sunday, July 08, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

The Los Angeles Galaxy are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference with 20 points through 18 matches. L.A., the defending MLS Cup champions, are 16 points out of first place in MLS. According to the Galaxy, they are better than their record suggests.

Our side's captain Landon Donovan said, "The reality is, is we should be five wins in a row right now and now we find ourselves behind the eight-ball a little bit again. It's difficult to take but the reality is now it's over. We can either moan about it or we can … get ready for Chicago." Manager Bruce Arena said, "We've lost a bunch of games by a goal, a bunch of games we should have won. We should be a team sitting with 30-some odd points." Arena also said that his club's place in the standings has been determined by poor play at unfortunate times in games rather than poor play for more than half the season's matches. I do agree with Arena that the Galaxy have often let themselves down at crucial moments of matches this season. I don't however like the discussion of how many points L.A. should have. It doesn't matter that the Galaxy have given away matches as much as it does that while watching matches, fans can nervously anticipate the same types of lapses occurring.

The Galaxy are running out of time to figure out how to fix their woes, whether it be scoring more efficiently or closing out matches. Omar Gonzalez returning in central defense should do wonders for the back line, but I think it's time to shake things up on offense in the transfer market. If nothing happens, the upcoming logjam of the schedule could be very rough for the Galaxy. The team has to play their next three MLS matches on the road. Due to international friendlies, our side will play their next eight matches overall in less than 30 days.

By the end of that string of matches, will the Galaxy's record resemble their play? I think the current record already does.