Bruce Arena Gives Reserve Players Opportunities against FC Dallas

After having qualified for the 2016 MLS Cup, there is little pressure on LA Galaxy in the remaining matches of the regular season.


As a result, manager Bruce Arena decided to field a number of reserve players in the goalless draw with FC Dallas. The last two games of the regular season will merely serve as opportunities for the manager to give some game time to the reserve players. After having secured a draw with FC Dallas, the club will be hoping for a strong start to the play-off campaign with a win against Real Salt Lake in the finals.

Since there was little to play, both teams did not go with the best eleven but it was clear after the game that FC Dallas were the disappointed of the two. Dallas were hoping that they would continue their form at the top of the table. A.J. DeLaGarza, meanwhile, claimed that it was Dallas who had approached the game in a defensive manner. As it is, fans witnessed only three shots on target from both teams and it was an extremely boring affair. Dave Romney and Rafael Garcia are some of the names who have managed to benefit from Arena changing the team for the game.

Arena is happy that he has been able to witness the reserve players in action at the top level. “It’s good to get Ari on the field. To see where he’s at, and it’s good for him to help gauge his performance as well. A number of players got an opportunity today, and I think that’s a positive,” said Arena. Galaxy defender Jelle van Damme says that focus immediately shift towards the game with Real Salt Lake, which will be extremely important for the club’s ambitions this season. LA Galaxy had a disappointing regular campaign and finished only third in the table.