Steve Cherundolo backs Olivier Giroud amid goal drought

The French forward has failed to score in the Major League Soccer season since arriving in the summer.

One of the things that struck Olivier Giroud the most while playing in Major League Soccer was the number of goals scored in each match. During his presentation at Los Angeles FC in August, the Frenchman even revealed the conversation he had with Zlatan Ibrahimovic about MLS.

The former LA Galaxy player told Giroud that he was going to enjoy the competition and that he would score a lot of goals, something that has not happened so far.

In thirteen league games since his arrival, ten in the regular season and three in the play-offs, Olivier Giroud has contributed just three assists.

However, this does not worry Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo, who emphasized that the French striker has helped the team win games. Furthermore, the Black & Gold coach defended the expectations raised when his signing was confirmed.

Steve Cherundolo praises the work of Olivier Giroud

'Yes, I think I understand that, and I don't have to explain anything to him. He's been through all the levels of the game, and all the ups and downs. The commitment to the team is always more important than scoring goals, for any attacker,” the LAFC coach said on Thursday at the media day before the match against the Seattle Sounders.

“Then, depending on how many goals you score, or how many key moments you contribute, that ratio can go up or down and the direction for the attackers can fluctuate. I think he is very aware of that, and he works on it every week, every day,” he added.

Despite a lack of league goals, Olivier Giroud has already impressed by scoring in two finals for Los Angeles Football Club. His first goal came in the 2024 Leagues Cup Final against Columbus Crew, and his second goal came in the US Open Cup Final against Sporting Kansas City.

The French forward has proven he can go the extra mile in key moments, and Steve Cherundolo is confident the goals will come in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

In his final season at AC Milan before joining LAFC, Giroud finished with 17 goals in 47 appearances. His lowest career score in top-flight football was five goals in the 2017/18 season with Chelsea, although when he signed in the winter transfer window he only played half the season.

Overall he has achieved double figures at all the clubs he has played for – the 2011/12 season was his most productive: 25 goals in 42 games for Montpellier in Ligue 2.