From the highs of last Saturday’s thrilling comeback win over LAFC to the disappointment of allowing four goals Wednesday, the Galaxy have been on a wild roller-coaster ride recently.
On Saturday, the Galaxy will return home to Dignity Health Sports Park, hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps in the penultimate home game of the regular season. The Galaxy is unbeaten in games at Dignity Health Sports Park. The lone “home” loss came against LAFC on July 4 at the Rose Bowl
“It was another game,” Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy said of Wednesday’s 4-2 loss against the Portland Timbers. “You have to forget about, and we did forget about LAFC as soon as we got here and were ready to go.
“You have to take it game by game, step by step, day by day. You can’t look in the past and you can’t look far ahead. I think I’ve said that before in a couple interviews. I’m a big believer in that. It’s truly a day-by-day thing. Has to be day-by-day and game-by-game process, and you can’t look back and can’t look too far ahead.”
The loss trimmed the Galaxy’s lead in the Western Conference from seven to five points, with Real Salt Lake now in second place.
“It is so important for us to be mindful of the last four games to put ourselves in a position to be playing at home (in the playoffs),” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “There is nothing else that we’re playing for right now down the stretch … is to make sure we play as many of these games at home in the playoffs as we can. Tonight (Wednesday) is a great example of why and the other night was a great example of why the other way. It’s absolutely the point.”
Including the Vancouver game, the Galaxy (16-7-7, 55 points) has four games left in the regular season. Real Salt Lake (14-7-8, 50 points) has five and LAFC, currently in third place with 49 points, has six.
“The reality is because of games in hand we don’t have a great separation because you can’t take anything for granted,” Vanney said. “The gap just closed a bit. I am sure it closed a bit on us. Now it’s a lot tighter.”
This is the first meeting with the Whitecaps since April 13, when the Galaxy prevailed 3-1 in Vancouver. The Whitecaps (13-8-7, 46 points) are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference.
Aude update
Julian Aude, who suffered a groin injury July 4 and underwent hernia surgery, has returned to training recently.
“He should be available to be a part of the game this weekend,” Vanney said. “He won’t be ready to start or anything like that. Should be available to possibly get some minutes. He’s got some training sessions under his belt, which is a positive thing, and feels a lot better.”
VANCOUVER at GALAXY
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)
