Late goals by the Los Angeles Football Club would give them a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis City SC. Since 2019, LAFC has been undefeated against expansion teams in their inaugural season. This marks their sixth win over MLS newcomers.
The LAFC scored in the first and final thirds to secure a 3-0 victory against Philadelphia Union in the CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals.
Perhaps it was the fact that LAFC has already clinched a spot in the post season, or perhaps it was upon hearing the news that fan-favorite Adama Diomande admitted himself to MLS’ substance abuse clinic, leaving an indefinite timetable for his return, or perhaps it just simply wasn’t their night.
On Sunday, August 26, LAFC hosted the LA Galaxy at Banc of California Stadium for their second meeting on the season. The last meeting between the two teams fared better for the Galaxy, who were able to rally around a Zlatan Ibrahimović hattrick to defeat LAFC 3-2, as Black and Gold sought to finally break their inability to beat their crosstown foes. Six goals were scored in the contest, in a match that many knew would not disappoint and lived up to the fervent hype.
On Sunday, August 11, LAFC hosted the New York Reb Bulls at Banc of California Stadium during a crucial stretch of the regular season. The Red Bulls, one of the stronger teams in the East, is still looking to make their playoff push while LAFC strive to maintain their dominance in the West.
The Black and Gold needed a win to get the bad taste out of their mouths after an overall unsavory outing against the LA Galaxy. They would find no easy opponent in Atlanta, however. The Five Stripes, as they are known colloquially, are already a mainstay in MLS despite being just a year older than LAFC, winning a championship in just their second season and setting a new standard for expansion teams across Major League Soccer, a feat that LAFC is undoubtedly trying to reproduce this season.
The first derby match of the year between crosstown rivals LAFC and the LA Galaxy was played last Friday on July 19, 2019. LAFC had yet to beat their Carson counterparts and seemed to be in high spirits and excellent form after a convincing win against the Houston Dynamo a week earlier. The Galaxy on the other hand, while still in second place on the season, are not playing the best soccer. Their one-dimensional playing style, has been noted throughout their season due to their over-reliance on the team’s megastar Zlatan Ibrahimović, who has the penchant for the spectacular but
Overall, LAFC played a dominant match with another special performance from leading MVP candidate, Carlos Vela.
LAFC and FC Dallas both had interesting schedules this week. The two teams played against one another on Thursday, May 16 at Banc of California Stadium and met just three days later on Sunday, May 19, to play FC Dallas yet again, this time in Texas.
Coming off an away draw at Seattle last weekend felt like a victory for the Black and Gold, playing one of the top four teams in the conference. They remain at the top of the West for the time being, but the Galaxy are hot on their tail just two points away from tying LAFC on points from 22 to 24.
Coming into the game against the Seattle Sounders, LAFC suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps midweek. It was a close game, with only one goal being scored throughout the entire contest, but the goal was in favor of Vancouver, ending LAFC’s unbeaten streak for the season.
On Saturday, March 23, LAFC played Real Salt Lake in another grudge match of sorts. LAFC bested Real Salt Lake twice, even routing them 5-1 early last season, before narrowly losing to them and missing out on going deeper into the playoffs. LAFC was missing a few starting faces as well, namely midfielders Mark-Anthony Kaye(International call-up for Canada), Lee Nguyen (hamstring injury) and Christian Ramirez (International call-up for USA).
It seems the boys in Black and Gold have found a rhythm early on in the season. This past Sunday, March 10, LAFC hosted the Portland Timbers at Banc of California Stadium. Portland, while not as strong as they were a few years ago, are still considered a formidable opponent in Major League Soccer, with their frontman Diego Valeri as the Timbers main attacking outlet and threat. But, it was LAFC’s creative talisman Carlos Vela that stole the show in this occasion with an impressive outing, racking up three assists and one goal, having a hand in all four goals
This past Sunday, Los Angeles Football Club took on Sporting Kansas City, in what could be considered a grudge match of sorts as Sporting KC got the better of LAFC last August in a 2-0 loss, as well as a 2-1 defeat in late October towards the end of the inaugural season last year.
If there was ever a season defining match for a club, it would be the one played between LAFC and Real Salt Lake this past Thursday Nov. 1.