During this past weekend, we had the second matchup this season between LAFC and the LA Galaxy, which ended in a 3-3 draw.
LAFC lead 3-2 up until the 86th minute until a spectacular through ball by Efrain Alvarez found Julian Araujo, who then gave what is known in soccer as the pass of death, to Kevin Cabral who tied it up.
Late Draw Once Again Haunts LAFC
Photo: —This has been a recent issue with LAFC, where last week they conceded a game-winner to the Vancouver whitecaps in the 89th minute. Overall, the game lived up to its hype like it always has but it just wasn’t LAFC’s day. However, no matter how well LAFC played this weekend they were left disappointed after allowing a late game-tying goal.
An issue that has become more and more glaring this season.
High Speed Back and Forth Action
This game was no snooze fest, with plenty of back and forth action from both teams. Even with each team’s top star not being available due to injury. So the two stars who stepped up during this match were Brian Rodriguez and Dejan Joveljic. The Galaxy took the first lead of the match in the 20th minute, while LAFC equalized just before halftime. However, neither team was particularly good with their defending during this match; this was exposed during the second half.
Uncharacteristic defending from both teams led to a thrilling 8 minutes in the second half from the 58th to the 66th minute, where three goals in total were scored. Two for LAFC and one for the Galaxy. A late-game tying goal from the Galaxy capped off this entertaining game.
El Rayitos Game to Remember
The man of the match no doubt for LAFC was Brian Rodriguez with the goals scored in a span of 8 minutes. However, everyone is raving about his first goal scored where he took on three defenders. Starting from a rebound won by LAFC in Galaxy’s area, Rodriguez cut back three separate times and was by the sideline where he let loose a powerful left-footed shot beating the Galaxy goalkeeper.
His second goal was great situational awareness, where Diego Palacios took a powerful right-footed shot where the Galaxy goalkeeper left a rebound in the area and Rodriguez tapped it in. No doubt one of Brian Rodriguez’s best games for the black and gold.
Onto the Next Challenge
While not getting the result LAFC hoped for they cannot sit back and wonder what went wrong for them in this match. They must look ahead to their next match which doesn’t get any easier.
As they take on second-place Sporting Kansas City on Friday, September 3 at 7:00 PM. With their previous encounter going Kansas City’s way with a 4-1 victory.
LAFC has to play better on the defensive end if they are to try and make the playoffs.
Featured Image: Getty Images
