Freeing Up Lalas Is the Best Defense

After the Galaxy’s 5-0 meltdown in the Meadowlands against the MetroStars on June 15, Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid realized he had to shake things up defensively and lean on a seasoned veteran.

Having already given up 19 goals in 12 Major League Soccer games, Schmid shifted the defense to more man marking, thus freeing defender Alexi Lalas to roam as a sort of free safety in the back.

In the 10 games since, the Galaxy has given up 11 goals, gone 6-3-1 and hopes its good defensive fortunes continue tonight at the Rose Bowl against the Kansas City Wizards.

“We’ve had a couple of blow-up games,” Schmid said. “But overall we’ve been good.... Since we changed to more of a match-up, giving Alexi a freer role, our defense has actually been pretty consistent.”

With Lalas free to roam, the Galaxy has endured only two multi-goal games. And Lalas didn’t play in one of those, last week’s 3-2 loss at Columbus.

“It’s no different than any other sport,” Lalas said. “If you work hard defensively, you create space for yourself. Obviously, we have the players that have the ability to go forward and attack and be dangerous but you can’t be dangerous on the attack unless you have the ball. And some of the best attacking and offense-minded teams in the world have really incredible defenses....

“A team like [World Cup champion] Brazil--and certainly we’re not the caliber of Brazil--but the reason they are so good offensively is, they win the ball back so quickly on defense and don’t give you a chance to get set and don’t give you a chance to have possession.”

Lalas, who has freedom to go forward, set a personal record for points in a season with 10--three goals, four assists--after scoring on a header in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Colorado. He had nine points--four goals and an assist--in 1999 with Kansas City.

A year ago, Lalas struggled for playing time in his first season with the Galaxy, playing in only 11 MLS games. But with the 2001 preseason trade of Robin Fraser to Colorado and Greg Vanney being sold to Bastia of the French first division in the off-season, a window of opportunity opened for Lalas.

“It took me a while to get back into the swing of things “ Lalas said. “Last year I was in and out of the lineup and I contributed when I needed to, but it’s taken me through this year to really get back and to feel, not only physically, but mentally that I have the ability.”