The Black and Gold Falter in the US Open Cup
Well let’s get it and start off with our recent US Open Cup flop. Yes, once again LAFC had the opportunity to play the Galaxy in Carson and the outcome was still the same. A golden opportunity was provided to avenge the loss they suffered against the Galaxy in April. How amazing would it be to finally beat your rival’s in their home turf and advance in the tournament. Yet, once again LAFC played like an amateur club and allowed the Galaxy to dominate them both mentally and physically on the pitch. What is it about playing at Carson for LAFC? The fans travel well, so the support is there, was it the first ever meeting and how they lost it ( Up 3-1 only to lose it 4-3), or does Dignity Health Sports park sprinkle something on the field that causes LAFC players to forget how to play. Whatever, it is at this point it’s getting frustrating and irritating for many LAFC fans to not have at least one victory on their rivals field.
First Half Recap
Carlos Vela would only make it for 20 minutes and once again another injury would arise. He clashed with Raheem Edwards and immediately was wincing in pain. Forced to be substituted LAFC would lose a lot of versatility and while Kwado Opoku is a talented star he cannot match what Vela provides to the team. The game would get chippy in the 45th minute when Palacios was on the receiving end of a banquito, when a player bends over knowing they will make contact with a player who is going up for a header. Shoving ensued and while the medical staff were tending to Palacios other players were pushing each other around and yellows were flying left and right. Palacios would have to exit due to a concussion and the half would end 0-0.
Second Half Recap
In the second half LAFC continued to play poorly. It took the Galaxy only six minutes to open the scoring, Kevin Cabral would give the home team the advantage. Only six minutes would pass and in the 57th minute LA Galaxy would double their lead. This time Chicharito would be the one to put the ball in the back of the net. At this point the inevitable would happen as LAFC gave up and had no intentions of making this a close game. Fast forwarding to the 81st minute the final nail in the coffin would come as Joveljic scored the third goal. Surprisingly LAFC showed some sort of pride and would get their only shot on target and only goal of the game in the 87th minute. Once again another embarrassing defeat away at the home of their rivals. Another outcome that would draw some tension between the fans and the club that would see some form of protesting in their next home game. With this loss LAFC was bounced out of the U.S Open Cup tournament.
LAFC Struggle Against the Earthquakes
A First Half Spectacle
After their embarrassing loss in the Open Cup, LAFC shifted gears as they would take on the Earthquakes. What looked to be a one sided game would turn out to be a struggle for the black and gold. As by the 13th minute they were already up 2-0 and seemed like they would cruise to victory. Their horrendous defending would come back to haunt them, allowing Jeremy Ebobisse to cut the lead in half. At some point you have to wonder why they struggle to defend so much. Nonetheless their two goal cushion was helping them out until the 31st minute when Ebobisse would get his brace and tie the game up. Once again some more terrible deafening from the club hurt them. LAFC would go into the half tied at two a piece.
If the rumors are true about Italian star defender Giorgio Chiellini signing for the club then he will be a great addition to steady the defense. Sure he might not be as agile as he once was but he brings some much needed experience and leadership for this defense and team in general. LAFC are in desperate need of a leader and that is exactly what Chiellini brings. It will be a big gamble but it could help in the long run. Let’s just hope he’s not here for “vacations” and actually wants to compete.
Securing a Win
LAFC would not take too long to jump out ahead again as in the 47th minute. Brian Rodriguez would go on and get the eventual game winning goal. LAFC struggled to close the game out as they could not get another goal to close the game out. There were a couple of one-on-ones that LAFC could not capitalize and that should have some fans worried. This team somehow has seemed to have gone on a unstable run and yet they still have the best record. Leading the league with 29 points. The expectations for this club have been high since day one. This season seems like its sink or swim for the club.
The team will now go to break for two weeks as the international break looms by with this the club will get two weeks off before resuming play on June 18th against the reigning Concacaf Champions, The Seattle Sounders.
