CARSON, Calif. – It should have been a time to rejoice, that being Rolf Feltscher’s first goal for the LA Galaxy in 10 months in Friday night’s clash against the San Jose Earthquakes.
But there was nothing to revel in after the Galaxy lost to their Western Conference rival 3-1 in front of a crowd of 22,508 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“Of course I would be happier if we got the win today,” Feltscher said. “We have to keep working hard this week for the next game.”
That would, of course, be this season’s first showdown between the Galaxy and Los Angeles FC on Friday at Dignity Health Sports Park (7:30 p.m., ESPN).
But before the five-time champions play that one, they must digest Friday’s unsettling loss which began on a promising note when Feltscher re-directed a corner kick by Jonathan dos Santos with his right foot and into the net just two minutes into the match for a 1-0 lead.
“Of course it’s nice to score,” he said. “It was a good beginning for us. But then we had some difficulties, and at the end, we didn’t win.
“The game is over, and we have to look forward to the next game.”
Feltscher nearly doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute on another corner kick, but his header back over his head just missed.
“I don’t know exactly what happened,” he said. “I think the goalkeeper (San Jose’s Daniel Vega) had a good reaction. It would have been nice to get two goals, but of course, I would be happier if we win today.
“Like I said, we look forward, work hard, and get all the power for the next game.”
It has been an eventful season and a half in Los Angeles for the 29-year-old right back. Injuries have limited his availability – he missed 18 games at one point a year ago after undergoing shoulder surgery – and more injuries (toe, leg) reduced him to an unused substitute in the Galaxy’s last five matches.
But there he was Friday, scoring his first goal since last Sept. 1 in a 5-3 loss to FC Toronto. It didn’t matter much then, and nothing changed almost a year later, which makes it understandable why he had decidedly mixed emotions following the loss to the Earthquakes.
“If I look at it just personally, I would be a tennis player,” he said of scoring. “For me, it makes me happy to win the game. Today, for sure, I’m not happy. If we win, I’m happy. If I don’t score and we win, I’m happy. If I score and we lose, I’m not happy.
“I don’t care. We just need to move forward and do better the next game.”
