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 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
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.
On Wednesday, LAFC played Real Salt Lake, a team far too close for comfort in the standings for LAFC, sitting just a point behind at the start of the game. The biggest question surrounding this game was whether the spectators could expect the LAFC of old, prone to dominate their opponents in the midfield and finishing games off with clinical precision, or the LAFC of recent weeks: a team that starts games out strong but folds somewhere in the middle and concedes goals late in the match. Luckily for LAFC fans, the former showed up ready to play, beating Real Salt Lake 2-0 with a brace from recent LAFC signee and hometown hero Christian Ramirez in his full LAFC debut.
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
LAFC would win the rematch in Portland 3-2, with goals from Carlos Vela and Marco Ureña, his first for LAFC. The game, while not a league match, looked to continue LAFC’s recent strong form over into MLS games. Unfortunately, LAFC squandered the opportunity in a display that the players and fans of LAFC alike, will want to put behind them for good.
The Black and Gold were back in action at home on Sunday, July 15th against the Portland Timbers.
LAFC was tasked with another two-game week as they traveled to Houston to take on the Dynamo on Tuesday, July 3rd, and then hosted Orlando S.C. a few days later on the 7th.
The Philadelphia Union came out of the gates with purpose. For the first 15 minutes, the Union were connecting passes and dominating midfield play setting a precedent that LAFC would need to adapt to. It was apparent that LAFC were still missing their attacking maestro in Carlos Vela, who at the time this article was written, was still away on international duty.
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.