Olivier Giroud's nightmarish debut in Los Angeles

Olivier Giroud is not yet living the American dream. Far from it. Arriving in MLS on July 18 after a great adventure with AC Milan, the French striker is struggling in his first months in California. At 38 years old and now in the colors of Los Angeles FC – where he plays alongside his compatriot Hugo Lloris – the native of Chambéry disappoints. Thus, after 19 matches played with the American franchise, the 2018 world champion has only scored twice, each time in the final (of the Leagues Cup and US Open Cup). Mute in MLS, where he only delivered one assist in the regular season in his sixth appearance, the 1m92 left-hander has clearly not yet found the right fuel.

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For proof? His new indigestible performance this weekend during the Western Conference semi-finals. While LAFC, founded in 2014, was aiming for a third consecutive final in MLS, the teammates of the former Montpellier striker were finally eliminated by Seattle (1-2, ap) on the night of Saturday to Sunday. A match during which the number 9 never weighed on the play of his team at the forefront of the attack, only shooting once on goal, without finding the target. In this perspective, the Daily News Los Angeles also recalls that the Frenchman had only had one shot on target in his last eight appearances, before his last match of the season.

Giroud supported by the locker room

A starving report confirming the difficulties of the principal concerned, “impressed by the intensity of the game” and very frustrated by this delicate acclimatization. In tough times, Giroud can still count on the support of his partners, starting with Denis Bouanga, a well-known face in the French championship and top scorer in MLS last season. “Olivier helps us a lot with his presence on the pitch. He frees the wingers for us by his presence and by bringing the defenders towards him. I'm sure the goals will come soon. It’s obviously disappointing for him, but we can help him.”affirmed, in this capacity, the former Stéphanois.

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“I don’t need to explain anything to him. He has experienced everything in this sport, the ups and downs. The effort for the team is always more important than scoring goals, regardless of the striker. Then, depending on how many goals you score, or how many important actions you contribute to, this ratio can increase or decrease, and the direction can fluctuate for attackers. I think he is very aware of it and he works on it every week, every day.”for his part outbid Steve Cherundolo, the technician of the Californian franchise. Supported, Olivier Giroud must now find the trigger…