The LA Galaxy roster depth will be tested much earlier in the 2018 MLS regular season than was initially anticipated, as Romain Alessandrini and his replacement Chris Pontius are both unavailable for this Sunday’s match away to New York City FC. Head coach Sigi Schmid is confident that the team’s offseason roster moves added enough options for the team to remain competitive despite several injuries.
“We didn’t want to test [roster depth] this early because we wanted our group to get into a rhythm and get into an understanding of each other and how we play,” Schmid said. “Obviously that’s one of the things we tried to improve [in the offseason] is our depth.”
With a much deeper bench this season, the player options may come in handy for Schmid, as three Galaxy midfielders, Romain Alessandrini, Chris Pontius and Joao Pedro, did not make the trip to New York for this Sunday’s match against New York City FC. Because of that depth, Schmid was able to allow these injured players to avoid an extra cross country flight that may hinder their recovery schedules.
Other LA Galaxy players also remain confident in the strength of the Galaxy’s bench. Defensive midfielder Perry Kitchen believes that the team can maintain their style of play despite personnel changes on the field.
“We have a lot of depth on the bench, a lot of guys who can come in and fill the role,” Kitchen commented. “We want to play the same way. We don’t want to have two guys get injured and all of a sudden we play a different style of soccer. Nothing changes.”
Sebastian Lleget, a likely replacement for Alessandrini in the lineup, is still in the late stages of recovery after his Lisfranc fracture last March. Schmid has repeatedly made it clear that Lleget has a gradual time frame for his return and that he is not fit for a full 90-minute game just yet.
“It’s a little bit earlier than we expected because of the situation that we have now with Alessandrini out, but I think he’s ready for it,” Schmid commented of Lleget. “We’re still going to be careful with him and we’re still deciding [if] we start him or bring him off the bench.”
The LA Galaxy will take on New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Sunday March 11th at 2pm PT for their first road match of the 2018 MLS season.