MLS LA Galaxy

LA Galaxy Postgame Notes and Quotes: LA Galaxy 3, San Jose Earthquakes 2 - Saturday, August 29, 2020

Published on August 30, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


NOTES:

In their second game of the MLS Regular Season following the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, the LA Galaxy defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 at Dignity Health Sports Park behind goals from Sebastian Lletget, Daniel Steres and Cristian Pavon.

With the win, the Galaxy have now earned consecutive victories.

With the result, the Galaxy earn their first second of the season and move to 2-3-2 with eight points.

With a goal tonight, Cristian Pavon now has seven goals and 11 assists in just 18 games for the club, averaging a goal or an assist every game.

Lletget scored in his second consecutive match for the club. In his Galaxy career, he now has 16 goals and 18 assists in 97 career starts.

LA Galaxy captain Daniel Steres made his 99th career start for the club.

LA Galaxy Academy product Ethan Zubak made his second-consecutive start after scoring his first MLS goal last week.

Midfielder Kai Koreniuk made his LA Galaxy debut Saturday night. Koreniuk, a native of Florida, signed earlier this year after being a standout on LA Galaxy II.

The LA Galaxy were without Javier Hernandez Saturday afternoon as the Galaxy forward continues to recover from a calf injury.

In their next match, the LA Galaxy travel to face the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. PT live on Spectrum SportsNet.

For more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com.

Postgame Quotes

LA GALAXY HEAD COACH GUILLERMO BARROS SCHELOTTO

On today's match and team coming back to get the win:

"I think we chose to make the substitutions in the last 30 min because we were playing well, we didn't feel like we weren't managing the game. Even I think we were very close to scoring the second goal but in that moment we saw they scored a goal, they started to win the game in the 60th minute of the second half we thought that with Jonathan [dos Santos] and Efrain [Alvarez] we could get the ball and have options because they have a really good foot, especially Jona, he can manage the ball in the middle of the field. And in the last meters we needed someone like Efra who can give the pass or option to [Cristian] Pavon or Sebastian [Lletget] playing wide. And that's why we chose to make those changes in that moment."

On whether San Jose's first goal ignited team:

"No, I think this is part of the game, sometimes it's early, sometimes it's late but it's part of the game. The only thing we need to do is to work this week to not repeat the mistake and give them the option to score a goal. One really good thing was after the goal by San Jose, our reaction was really good, and we played the game as we talked in the locker room."

Regarding Sebastian Lletget scoring in the team's last two games and on importance of Lletget becoming a regular goal scorer for the team:

"It's very important. We see him every day, every week. We know he can give us a lot in the field and maybe the fans or the journalist are waiting for his moment for his game. Maybe sometimes he gives something, but he can give a lot of things. We end up trying to get the best for Sebastian. I am really happy for him because he is a really good person. He needs to show every game, he needs to show a little more than the last one because he can."

[Translated from Spanish]

On why the team played well but suffered so much to get the win:

"it's an excellent question because we played well, we won, but we struggled. I think it has to do with Matias Almeyda's formation, with their attitude and I think we could have come back sooner, with [Sebastian] Lletget's play that the goalkeeper blocked, or in the plays where [Ethan] Zubak or Cristian [Pavon] could have taken a shot but didn't choose that as an option. The team always managed the ball and the game and that they could tie it or win it, but we do have that feeling that we struggled to get the result, but I think that has more to do with the rival than with the team. I think the team was organized. Their goal from outside the box I think was a great goal that surprised everyone so what you say is true. The positive is we were able to answer back."

LA GALAXY DEFENDER DANIEL STERES

On the win, the goal and his celebration:

"The week was tough. It was an interesting one, going through that. We just wanted to get back on the field after that LAFC game, but we did what we did on Wednesday and I think it was good to show support and we had to come back and get ready for this game. Another California rivalry and it feels good to get another win, be on top of that. We're pretty pleased right now and we've got to keep going. For me, I'm happy to get on the score sheet again, doing it in a win this time is great obviously. I like getting goals at some of these first games in these stadiums, so it was good. The celebration is actually a birthday wish to my buddy, Morgan. So happy birthday to you! And also, I meant to do one last week, but [Ethan Zubak] stole my goal last week, so that's also going to my fiancé, Aly. Happy birthday last week!"

On the defense's improvement:

"It's obviously a little disappointing to give up two goals tonight. The first one we all could have done better one. The second one, there's things we could have done, but it's a long shot and he put it right in the corner and you've just got to tip your hat sometimes. But we're more organized in the backline, but as a team all together. Last week, we're talking more, staying organized and shifting better. So it's nothing crazy, but its what I've been preaching all week is it's back to basics. We had to start from the ground up after Orlando and we're just working through some building blocks and seeing some progress. We'll continue from here and hopefully we won't give up two next time and keep it at zero."

LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER SEBASTIAN LLETGET

On Julian Araujo's progression:

"That's my little bro. Ever since last year, I've seen him progress so much. A lot has been asked of him, especially playing out of position. Normally, he's a defender by nature. He's really stepped up. His energy is incredible, his pace, his hunger. It's contagious for all of us having a guy that young being fearless. I'm really happy for him and I hope it keeps going."

On the goal:

"I hit it with my chest. I'm happy we got the win. That was a tough game. They're a very tough team, they play a very unorthodox style. You can't approach it a normal way like how we're going to approach Portland. It's two completely different styles. We showed character, we battled and most importantly we walked away with three points."

On the difference on last two weeks:

"I think we fixed a lot of errors that we did in Orlando and we really put our head down and worked on things like that and the mental aspect was all we had left. I think it's showing now; just going a goal down and responding right away. I think normally last year, we probably would have put our heads down and probably just accepted that we probably weren't going to come back. Polar opposites. So more than anything, I'm happy about that."

On his role changing during his time with the club:

"I think when I first got here, even though I was playing more as a winger, I adapted quick and I knew that I was going to play that position more times than not. Since Bruce [Arena] left, I've been put in many different positions - because I can play them, thankfully - and it's a good thing, but it kind of bites me in the butt a little bit because I think I need that consistency a little bit. And I think Guillermo now putting me in that #10 role kind of really gives me that freedom and liberty. And I know I'm up there, so it's kind of like I have nothing else on my mind now. It kind of gives me that tunnel vision where I've got to create goals or score them. In a way, it clarifies things for me."

LA GALAXY FORWARD CRISTIAN PAVON

*Translated from Spanish

Regarding playing getting better with LA Galaxy and his contract situation:

"Regarding my playing in Orlando, in Orlando it wasn't bad. As I said before, as the game went on I felt better. I think in Orlando, it wasn't bad. I said it from the beginning everyday I'm feeling better because I want to give my all to this team, and I think it's getting better. We are enjoying the moment, what we are living. What'll happen with me, we'll see. Nothing has been confirmed with me. The only thing I focus on is what I have to do on the field and I let my agent handle the contract."

Regarding team being different from Orlando what is different:

"We're all pushing in same direction. We knew that this wasn't going to be easy, like I've said about Orlando we did what we could in but we didn't have luck, I think we changed our mindset and we did better. We took things step by step trying to play a good game and when we were losing, the team never lost hope that we were going to tie or win."

Regarding playing without 14 how team changes:

"Chicharito got an injury that hurt him to play. With him not being on the field, it has given other players opportunities and they give their all. It's too bad he got injured but hopefully we have him back soon."

Regarding what the team has to do ahead of Portland:

"Obviously wining gives us more confidence and winning two games consistently gave us a lot of confidence and peace because we didn't have a lot of luck in Orlando and thankfully we are now. We're taking it step by step, enjoying this moment and trying to give our best to the galaxy and the fans so they can be happy."

Regarding his style of play change and what is making it different:

"I do what the coach asks me. You have to do your best on the field and you have to do the best for the team, for the Galaxy. Which is what you always want. Personally I'm really happy to have won, to be here, and hopefully we stay on this good path that we're on."

Scoring Summary:

SJ - Valeri Qazaishvili (Assisted by Tommy Thompson, Cristian Espinoza) 11'

LA - Daniel Steres (Assisted by Sebastian Lletget) 33'

SJ - Cade Cowell (Assisted by Valeri Qazaishvili) 59'

LA - Cristian Pavon (penalty) 72'

LA - Sebastian Lletget 82'

Misconduct Summary:

LA - Rolf Feltscher (caution) 52'

LA - Julian Araujo (caution) 56'

Lineups

LA Galaxy:

David Bingham; Rolf Feltscher (Efrain Alvarez 62'), Nick DePuy, Daniel Steres ©, Emiliano Insua; Julian Araujo, Sebastian Lletget (Emil Cuello 88'), Perry Kitchen, Joe Corona (Jonathan dos Santos 62'), Cristian Pavon; Ethan Zubak (Kai Koreniuk 89')

Substitutions not used: Jonathan Klinsmann, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Diedie Traore, Carlos Harvey, Cameron Dunbar.

TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 6.

Head Coach: Guillermo Barros Schelotto

San Jose Earthquakes:

Daniel Vega; Nick Lima, Tanner Beason, Tommy Thompson (Paul Marie 81'), Cade Cowell (Shea Salinas 67'), Cristian Espinoza, Jackson Yueill, Judson, Valeri Qazaishvili (Danny Hoesen 82'), Andres Rios (Chris Wondolowski 81').

Substitutions not used: James Marcinkowski, Guram Kashia, Marcos Lopez, Eric Calvillo, Luis Felipe Fernandes.

TOTAL SHOTS: 21; SHOTS ON GOAL: 11; FOULS: 10; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 2.

Head Coach: Matias Almeyda

Attendance: --

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