Vanney: Galaxy is a work with progress

Greg Vanney’s job of putting the Galaxy back together again will continue as the club heads into another preseason game.

The Galaxy will play host to the New England Revolution at 7 p.m. today at Dignity Health Sports Park.

“We need to continue to progress in our understanding of what we’re trying to do, both individually understanding and collectively, being connected as a group,” Vanney said. “I think each game we’ve gotten better. With each game, if we can handle the challenges that are coming and we can recognize what it is that we need to do and keep the game looking like we want it to look, then I think we’re making progress.”

The Galaxy will play host to the New England again Wednesday and then head to Arizona for the Tucson Sun Cup, where they will face Sporting Kansas City (April 3), Colorado Rapids (April 7) and Real Salt Lake (April 10).

“Fitness is another thing we’re trying to get out of all of these games,” he said. “Every game, we’re trying to push the guys a little bit longer, just get their legs

Vanney

Today: under them and getting closer to 90 minutes.”

The Galaxy are coming off two closed-door scrimmages while missing Julian Araujo (U.S. U-23), Sebastian Lletget (USMNT), Jonathan dos Santos and Efrain Alvarez (Mexico national), who were away with their respective national teams.

Their absences have let some of the youth step into roles and catch the eye of Vanney.

“What I have quickly realized is we have a lot of good young soccer players, who I think are fitting pretty seamlessly into our style of play,” Vanney said. “I think it suits them, I think they’re technically suited into what we’re trying to do, I think it feels natural to them.

“Now, they’re starting to understand the nuances and why on the field they should what they’re doing and what their solutions are. Adam Saldana has been very solid in that defensive midfield position, Johnny (Perez) has had some great moments on the attacking side, Cameron Dunbar has had some great moments, our young center backs has had some great exposure over these games in Jalen (Neal) and Marcus (Ferkranus).

“They’ve done really well. They’ve managed some tough opponents and tough situations and have also have done in a style and a way that we want to do it. They’re improving every day and they’re going to play a role in this team’s season and that’s exciting for them and for the club to have young guys who are ready to give us something.”

Meanwhile, Vanney said Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who had “a minor knock” in camp, has been training recently and will play tonight.

Also, Giancarlo Gonzalez is still recovering from a bone bruise and Oniel Fisher is doing rehab work on a hamstring issue

The Galaxy will open the regular season April 18 at Inter Miami.