LA Galaxy: Why a formation change is needed

The LA Galaxy need a late-season surge to finish in the playoffs and make a run at the MLS Cup. To do that, a formation change is necessary. Here’s why.

For the first time since they surged into the playoff places in early April, the Los Angeles Galaxy have slipped out of the Western playoff places. Since the start of June, they have gone 3-7-2, conceding 27 goals and scoring just 20. On the season, they now have a goal difference of -4.

Whichever way you slice it, things are not running as smoothly as they should be for an undoubtedly talented LA Galaxy that are still yet to lose to Los Angeles FC, a clear illustration of their high-end potential. If they are to sneak into the playoffs and make a run at the MLS Cup, change is needed. And I think it should come in the form of a formation.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto loves the 4-2-3-1 formation, Zlatan Ibrahimovic probably enjoys it too. But it’s a disadvantage for the LA Galaxy, especially in attack, in large part because it leaves Zlatan alone against two or three defenders. Most of the time, a second attacker arrives late, the winger’s crosses aren’t always on target, and Ibrahimovic is crowded out.

In the last game against the Seattle Sounders, the Galaxy played the same formation and struggled in these same areas of the field: crosses from out wide and supplying Zlatan centrally. The Galaxy played a few other formations early on in the season, specifically the 4-3-3 and the 4-3-1-2, even though they didn’t have Cristian Pavón at that time. Now with Pavon in the squad, it might be time to revert back.

The 4-3-1-2 formation brings a balance to both ends. It provides Zlatan with some help in central areas, an attacking midfielder as secondary help in behind, two midfielders who can attack and defend, and a defensive midfielder responsible for counter-attack defensive assistance. Jonathan dos Santos and Sebastian Lletget play very well together, so keeping them side by side is a big plus. Then using Uriel Antuna or Favio Alvarez as the second striker withPavón as the attacking midfielder puts players in and around Zlatan, which is precisely what the Galaxy need.

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The 4-3-3 is similar. It too brings a different balance to both sides. This time, Ibrahimovic is a lone striker, but the wingers can play in a more advanced position, closer to him in support. With Pavón and Antuna left and right, the Galaxy then have wide strikers — not wide midfielders — to utilize. With a workmanlike midfield to supply passes from deep, the front three could come to life.

The Galaxy are ranked 14th in the league for shots on goal and 16th for total shots. This statistic needs to improve. And that can happen by providing Zlatan with greater support, either through moving the wide midfielders onto the shoulder of the defense or by inserting a second striker.

The Galaxy are sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference standings with 42 points, but the second-place Sounders are within reach on 46 points. Those in between are even closer. There is still plenty to play for. Moreover, the Galaxy’s final six games of the season are against opponents they should be able to beat – Colorado, Sporting Kansas City, Montreal, Real Salt Lake, and Vancouver.

But for that, they need a formation change. Because without it, the over-reliance on an isolated Zlatan will continue.