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.
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.
There seems to be a recurring theme developing in the late stages of LAFC matches. A team that regularly dominates possession, shots on target, corners and other important statistics of the game has trouble finishing off games. Last Thursday evening, LAFC hosted their crosstown rivals the LA Galaxy for the first time at Banc of California Stadium. The two team’s previous engagement was their first ever matchup, a game that has become known as “El Tráfico,” a play on the phrase “El Clásico,” which is ascribed to many a fierce soccer rivalries (derbies) around the world (most notably Real
They were also without the defensive prowess of Laurent Ciman, who has since been placed on the Belgium National Teams stand-by list should one of the Belgians on the final 23 roster pick up an injury. It would be a test proven too difficult on this occasion, as they fell to FC Dallas 2-1.
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) was tasked with playing two games this week, a situation in which both players and coaches must exercise extreme caution and discretion regarding recovery time and rest.