Even though there are still 8 games left in the MLS regular season, the LA Galaxy is still not promised a spot in the playoffs… Will it sink in?

The LA Galaxy put themselves in a hole early on in their most recent Major League Soccer (MLS) game against St. Louis City SC. This has happened to them many times this season. Samuel Adeniran, the scorer for the other team, broke through their defense and scored a goal in just three minutes. This has been a problem for Greg Vanney’s team all season.

But, as they usually do, the Galaxy fought back hard when they were in trouble. After the restart, they had most of the ball in the St. Louis half, and the designated players Riqui Puig and Douglas Costa were always a threat. It looked like things were about to change.

In keeping with their usual style, the Galaxy then let St. Louis midfielder Aziel Jackson waltz through their middle. This led to a perfect pass to Joao Klauss, who scored again in the 28th minute to make it 2-0. It was a tough problem for them to solve.

Again, the Galaxy took the lead in the game. When they were given a penalty eight minutes into the second half, it gave them a chance, and VAR was a big part of that. Even though Puig was hurt and hadn’t trained much, he easily put the ball past Burki from 12 yards out, cutting the lead to 2-1.

In the 60th minute, when Adeniran got a red card, it gave the Galaxy a chance to show how strong they were. Seven minutes before the end of the game, their determination paid off when Uri Rosell’s header off a cross from Diego Fagundez set up Billy Sharp, who always scores when he’s in the box. Sharp said that he has “made a career out of that for the last 20 years” by scoring quietly from close range.

Still, the Galaxy kept being their own worst enemy as they tried to catch up to FC Dallas for the last spot in the playoffs. Coach Vanney said, “Not enough overall for 90 minutes in terms of punishing them on the chances that we got. (…) We’re going to get ready for the big one next week.”

Sharp, who has played in high-stakes derbies in England, is looking forward to the challenge of ‘El Trafico’: “These are the games that we pros want to play in after the disappointing result this weekend. So we have to go there. Put it to them and make sure that, unlike today, we’re in the lead. The guys told me it’s mean, which I kind of like.

Even though their most recent game didn’t go well and they aren’t in the best spot in the table, they feel like a team that will make the playoffs. Be careful, because it’s a feeling that’s unique to you. What do you think, though?