Galaxy eager for 'defending as a group' in match vs. Rapids

While the Los Angeles Galaxy flashed a high-octane offense last week, coach Greg Vanney is the most excited by the team's midfield and defensive play.

The Galaxy (1-0-1, 4 points) will try to create scoring chances from a suddenly stout midfield and backline when they visit the Colorado Rapids (1-1-0, 3 points) on Saturday night in Commerce City, Colo.

In the Galaxy's 3-0 home win over Charlotte last week, Joao Klauss recorded a brace and Lucas Sanabria scored a goal in the first 13 minutes of the match.

Also quick to strike last week was Colorado, which posted a 2-0 home win against the Portland Timbers. Hamzat Ojediran scored in the seventh minute and Lucas Herrington added an insurance tally in the 53rd.

Colorado coach Matt Wells said Herrington, 18, has been a perfect fit with the Rapids. He's played every minute in both Colorado matches.

"His maturity stands out for someone his age," Wells said. "The way he's dropped in seamlessly has impressed me through the preseason. He's a wonderful character and has a good mentality. He has all the tools to improve and he will as a player."

After the Galaxy were hammered for 66 goals and had a minus-20 goal differential last season, they have allowed just one goal through two MLS matches.

"I'm not worried about this team's ability to score goals," Vanney said. "We are going to score goals. What I love is that we are not giving up goals ... what I care about is we are defending as a group and giving up nothing. That to me is important."

With Sanabria and Elijah Wynder, Vanney has pressure options in the midfield that can change a match in an instant. Jakob Glesnes and Maya Yoshida have been a formidable defensive pairing.

"We didn't have a guy that could carry out pressure sometimes and eliminate the first guy by driving with the ball," Vanney said. "Elijah is strong and carries the ball under pressure and then adds into the attack.

"Jakob is our defense anchor. His individual timing and reading of plays allow him to defend the open field, win balls in the air and win crosses. He's what you need in a defensive center back."

--Field Level Media