CARSON, Calif -- The LA Galaxy lost on Saturday afternoon to an in-form FC Dallas team, but that gave no solace to a visibly disappointed head coach Curt Onalfo.
The Galaxy started their new era on Saturday in disappointing fashion, falling, 2-1, to Western Conference foe FC Dallas at home. Onalfo's side never led in the loss at StubHub Center in Carson, California, which was decided by a second-half strike from Kellyn Acosta, but both the new Galaxy manager and his players felt the match was not one they should have let slip away.
“I thought it was a game we shouldn’t lose,” said Onalfo at his press conference after the game, which marked his first in charge of the Galaxy.
Onalfo was pleased with some of the things his side was able to do. Although he did give Dallas credit for their performance, Onalfo’s thoughts were squarely with the Galaxy's missed opportunities, including the header from new acquisition Jermaine Jones that bounced off the post and the chances that fell to Ariel Lassiter late.
“I thought we played well enough to get points out of the game,” said Onalfo. “If you look at the first half, I think we’re sloppy at times but we had some good extended possession, defended well for the most part. A little bit disjointed on a couple of plays, but normal for this time of the season.
“You think you got to get something out of the game so I’m disappointed from that standpoint. For me it’s a matter of getting better each day.”
For Jones, and his central midfield teammate and fellow newcomer Joao Pedro, early yellow cards changed the approach to the game. The US national team veteran, who led the Galaxy in chances created, also saw the game much as his coach did.
“I think it’s still in process, but I think if you watch the whole game we controlled the game pretty good," said Jones. "(We) gave up a dumb goal, come back, score is 1-1. Then we have a lot of chances, but we don’t put them in.
“Then they come from a throw-in, they come back with a shot. There was a step where you can see that we can control games, but you have to score, too.”
Despite feeling disappointed that his Galaxy weren’t able to get a result in their 2017 season opener, Onalfo saw some positives to take into next week.
“We’ve added really good pieces, all the pieces that we’ve added are quality," said Onalfo, referencing offseason acquisitions like Jones, Joao Pedro, and Romain Alessandrini. "You can see it in today’s game. I’s just getting it to jel.”
