The New York Red Bulls legend expressed frustration with the Galaxy's form despite having one of the league's strongest rosters
Wright-Phillips highlights disparity between squad and resultsCalls for tactical adjustments from VanneyGalaxy are still winless after 11 league games playedGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Following a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kanas City, defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy have now equalled the longest winless streak to start the season – 11 games – with just three points.
It has stunned fans and critics alike how far the Cup winners have fallen. Bradley Wright-Phillips believes that the blame belongs with head coach Greg Vanney. The MLS icon emphasized that Galaxy's star-studded roster featuring Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, and Marco Reus should be producing better results.
Wright-Phillips expressed particular frustration with Vanney's tactical approach, suggesting the experienced coach needs to implement significant changes to maximize the potential of a talented squad.
“I think we’ve got to put all of it,” Wright-Phillips said on when asked how much of the blame lies with Vanney. “Yeah, I think so because let’s be honest, there are teams in the league with worse rosters and Greg Vanney still has a good roster. OK, he lost Riqui Puig, a brilliant player who had a great season last year, but you’ve still got Marco Reus in the side, Pantsil, Pec, and Yoshida, captain of the side who has played in the Premier League.
“So there’s no excuse, Greg Vanney has to do more. He has to do a little bit more, he has to change up how they’re playing, and we talk about a side like Vancouver. And if we put those two teams side by side at the beginning of the season, you’re gonna say LA Galaxy finish higher, I’m sure everybody did. The only difference is Vancouver is being coached really well, and at the moment, Greg Vanney is not doing a good enough job, for me. A manager who I respect and has won over in America, and a manager who I respect is not doing a good enough job.”
AdvertisementWHAT BRADLEY WRIGHT-PHILIPS SAIDTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With their latest loss to Sporting KC, LA Galaxy sit at the bottom of the Western Conference and the combined table with only three points. Only CF Montreal have an equivalent record, although the Canadian side sits one place above Greg Vanney’s side based on goal difference.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
LA Galaxy go on the road next in the MLS as they face the New York Red Bulls on May 10 before going to Subaru Park to face the Philadelphia Union on May 14 in the league.