Keys to the Game: LA Galaxy visit St. Louis City SC for the first time

Joveljić’s last goal as a starter came during the team's first match of the season against FC Dallas. He last scored during the Galaxy’s 2-1 win over San Jose, coming off the bench to contribute. There needs to be more connection between him and Riqui Puig for the Galaxy to have dangerous moments in the game. Chicharito and Puig established a good chemistry together to help the striker find form at the tail end of last season.

The Galaxy collectively need better shot selection and to strike closer to the goal. The Galaxy's average shot distance is 19.1 yards away, the fourth-highest tally in MLS. In order to get a shot past Bürki, LA needs to get more strikes in the box rather than hope multiple low-percentage shots from outside of the box will get the job done. Given that there have been no goals from a starting striker in 10 games, this would be a welcome game for changing that stat. 

Limit the transition defense

St. Louis implements an intense pressing system in their games, which will be be a real test of Galaxy’s own philosophy. In a way, it’s a battle of playing styles. City like to play direct and win the ball back quickly compared to LA’s methodical possession philosophy.

The Galaxy has shown flashes of their quality on the ball and equally have made mistakes that turn into costly goals. City will be content with the Galaxy holding most of the ball, looking to pounce at one misplaced ball in the midfield and start a transition.

Vanney has said in his presser that it's physically draining for the team when they just halt their momentum going forward and need to immediately track back on defense. City has plenty of players with pace in the attack and their midfielders can ping the right long ball to take advantage of the fullbacks pushed higher up the field.

LA needs to be well organized and be connected in their movements and spaces in which they advance the ball. With City likely to press immediately on the ball, the Galaxy will be forced to play with tempo and keep the ball moving. This game will test how committed and efficiently they stay to their principles. If not, it will get ugly quickly for the Gs.

Play up to par

Since Vanney took over in 2021, the Galaxy have consistently played up to the level of their opponents. They put up a fight and battle until the very end. Just take a look back at matches earlier this season against Seattle, LAFC, and San Jose — all top opponents in which the Galaxy remained competitive in the most important parts of the game.

There is a special focus and concentration switch that gets flipped when LA is in these marquee matchups. While that is good to see, it’s also frustrating given the context of the poor season and performances in MLS play in 2023. The Galaxy needs to make progress seen in both the offensive and defensive moments of the game.

That means the Galaxy needs to stop allowing teams from scoring on set pieces. The Galaxy has conceded a goal from dead-ball scenarios in each of their last three games. City is a threat in these scenarios, especially midfielder Eduard Löwen — he’s scored three goals from the penalty spot and two from free kicks in 2023. 

The LA Galaxy possesses some of the best midfielders in the league when it comes to line-breaking passes. Gaston Brugman and Puig provide ways for the Galaxy offense to move forward, but it all falls flat in the final third.

Costa, Tyler Boyd, and Gino Vivi are all options out wide for Vanney; he’s going to need better runs and possession of the ball on the end lines. The Galaxy has not taken advantage of how their midfielders can put the ball at the feet of their attack so far this season. Let's see if those players can elevate their game on Sunday to start a new week off with a bang.