Going into the game against San Jose last weekend, LAFC had the opportunity to secure two consecutive wins for the first time in 2020, something that fans were already used to last year.
The scenario was perfect, playing at home against a team that hadn’t won a game since July. But, LAFC did what they have been doing most of the year.
LAFC didn’t finish their chances, defensively weak and allowing two goals in the last 15 minutes of the game and lose their sixth game of the year. To put it into contrast, LAFC had a total of four losses all of 2019.
Although things have been hard for the Black and Gold, things could get worse.
LAFC has nine games remaining in the regular season and while that may sound like enough time to gain momentum and qualify for the playoffs, it won’t be easy.
Out of those nine games remaining six are against teams that are higher on the table or have beaten LAFC this season already. These teams include Real Salt Lake, Seattle, Colorado, Galaxy, and Portland, who they place twice. The last time LAFC faced off against Real Salt Lake, Galaxy, and Seattle, they lost all three games 3-0.
Photo: —Now in soccer, we always say that every game is different, but that is true when you learn from mistakes and try to do something about it – with LAFC it isn’t the case.
If you look at LAFC’s last eight games, which includes five defeats, you start to notice that it is almost the exact same lineup all the time. Nothing really changes, especially in between games where you lose 3-0. It seems like no matter how bad the team gets, the same old faces play every game. Players like Mohamed El Monir, Bryce Duke, and Adrien Perez have not received many opportunities to start when they could be really helpful if you know how to use them.
The weirdest thing of all of this is that LAFC seems to be two different sides on the field, one that attacks and one that defends. While they’re not as explosive as the year before, LAFC’s attack has been good, averaging 2.3 goals per game. But when the team defends, it’s just painful to watch. It isn’t just the fact that they are allowing an average of 2 goals per game, it’s the fact that every time the opponent approaches the goal, there is some sort of danger.
We just have to see if Bob Bradley will continue to play with his same 13 players for the rest of the season, or if he’ll begin to change things a bit tactically and in the starting lineup.
One thing is for sure, things don’t look so bright for the Black and Gold but Bob Bradley has earned the benefit of the doubt.
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