Galaxy needs to revive offense against Seattle Sounders

The Galaxy is a good example of how quickly things can change in the Western Conference standings.

After shutting out LAFC on Sept. 6, the Galaxy had vaulted from 11th at the start of resumption of play to fourth place.

After scoreless draw against San Jose and consecutive shutout losses to Colorado and Real Salt Lake, the Galaxy (4-5-3, 15 points) arrives at Sunday night’s home meeting with the Seattle Sounders (7:30 p.m.; Spectrum SportsNet) below the playoff line in 10th place.

“We can’t do a lot of things during the week because we don’t have the time,” Galaxy coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto said. “The players need more rest because we played last weekend, Wednesday and we play Sunday. Sometimes you’re just talking or showing them videos more than working.

“We were working before, trying to figure things out. We had options (against Real Salt Lake), we had two shots hit the post.”

Aside from those two shots off the post, the Galaxy didn’t create much offense. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez didn’t record a shot in 80 minutes in his first extended playing time since July 13.

“We have the confidence in him and I think he will be a very important part of the team,” Schelotto said of Hernandez. “We will need him. We need to be smart. The tournament (regular season) is very even.

“We need to keep working every game, calm in the bad moments and even in the good moments.”

Even though the club is in 10th place, the Galaxy is only six points out of first place, which is currently occupied by Seattle and Portland.

“The first half (against Real Salt Lake), we played really good in the first half,” Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos said. “The second half, I don’t know what happened. Our energy was low, but I feel confident in the team. This will be a good test, against a really good team (in Seattle).”

The answer to the offensive woes might come in the arrival of Yony Gonzalez. The 26-year-old Colombian forward was signed on loan from Benfica in August, but after paperwork delays and COVID-19 quarantine protocols, Gonzalez finally arrived in town this week and will train with the club this weekend.

“I’m excited to watch him play,” Schelotto said. “But we need to be smart and use him when he’s ready.”

Seattle will be without forward Raul Ruidiaz (eight goals), who will be serving a one-game suspension for violent conduct stemming from an incident against Portland on Wednesday.

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