In a long season, on the road to remaining unbeaten, there will inevitably be matches that leave you wondering, ‘what the hell just happened?’ LAFC played one of those matches this past weekend, at home, against the always tough Portland Timbers. While not one of the main rivals, the matchup against the Timbers in always one that is physical, typically features a ton of yellow cards, and often ends with some sort of drama and/ or controversy. No controversy this time around, but oh did the drama reach Shakespearean.
Good morning 😁 pic.twitter.com/rMhgqSy8Tk
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 28, 2024
ACT I
It was the best of times, it was, almost, the worst of times for LAFC at home. It’s cliche to say a team had a tale of two halves, but in this case, its really all you can say about this match for the boys. The first half was one to write home about. The team were in full control, taking advantage of their opportunities scoring goals, and doing everything they wanted in attack in terms of finding space, breezing past defenders on the run, and threatening with every build-up.
You know things are going your way when the opening goal is an own goal, and you cant even blame the Portland defender. The ball sent in by Bouanga looked too good to go unfinished, so, understandable. The second goal was a pure banger in every sense of the word. It was a goal from long range, outside the box, the ball was hit with maximum force by Timothy Tillman, the only thing it was missing was a hole in the net with frayed ends and smoke coming off the tips.
The team finished the first half with the two goal lead, and looked good in the process. LAFC led in just about every statistical category going into the break. Tallying up 10 shots, successful on 88% of their passes, taking a massive 17 touches in the opponents box, and that was just 45 minutes! The night at home was honestly shaping up like another blowout with the question being, how many can they score? Confidence was sky high.
ACT II
They say 2-0 leads are the most dangerous leads in soccer. Not quite pulled away far enough to feel complete comfort, but more than a goal, so you tend to drop your guard just a bit. For clinical teams, that bit is all they need to cause some chaos. Timbers, are that type of squad. In fairness, statistically LAFC still dominated the second half as well, but numbers don’t tell the whole story. Wrestling fans know about this, but you know how sometimes a wrestler is getting absolutely obliterated, just pummeled for 15 minutes until, out of nowhere, they hit their finisher, sending the crowd into frenzy as momentum is turned.
The Timbers first goal was a bit like that. Jonathan Rodriguez hit a strike that he pulled out of thin air, that lasered past Lloris cutting the lead in half in just the 60th minute. The pressure mounted and one of the few LAFC mistakes we saw on the night, ended with a Portland Equalizer late in the match. The visitors only had three shots all second half, but two of them found their target and the back of the net. In a 15 minute span Los Angeles went from full control, to finding themselves in the middle of a hail storm, pelted and in need of shelter.
Three things plagued the comeback attempt for Portland. Not being at home, even in the middle of complete insanity one thing is forever, the 3252 cheering until the final whistle to try and help their squad. Second, not being clinical enough. As we mentioned, just three shots in a half while you’re mounting a comeback does not inspire confidence you can get over the hump. Finally, what really killed their comeback and honestly their shot at split points, was the red card shown to Diego Chara in the 77th minute.
This angle 🤌 pic.twitter.com/NH7rb3EIuS
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 28, 2024
ACT III
That red card did two things. It gave LAFC the lifeline they so desperately needed to find the motivation to try and salvage a win out of the situation. It looked like they were preparing to concede the draw, but that red card was like dropping a tray of fresh meat into a pool of piranhas. Second, it all but sealed the outcome for Timbers. Their faces in that moment said it all, in that moment we all knew how the story would end, and Denis Bouanga didn’t disappoint in the final minutes of the match. Getting some luck from the post, he hit a game winner worthy of the story. A Hollywood ending on the night for the LA star.
As great as the night was, there was a looming dark cloud. Yes, the team got the win, and in the end, that is all that matters. However not only should it have not been that hard, but we once again had front row seats to the issues with the team. The mental lapses, the moments of being too relaxed, putting themselves in terrible situations. If Timbers had a little more discipline, this might have been three the wrong way.
LAFC are getting set for the MLS season to really hit full swing. They are staring down a stretch that will see them play four matches in just 11 days, with three of the four on the road, where the has struggled the most this season. The worst thing that can happen for them right now is letting their mentality slip, after building up some good form, the team nearly lost it all this past weekend. As it is, fans went home happy, the team can rest knowing the unbeaten run at home continues, and luckily for them, this next stretch may kickoff on the road, but its against a California rival that is currently dead last in the standings, with just one win all season. We keep talking about that turning point for LAFC, that moment we see them more as actual contenders and not a team of pretenders getting by on raw talent. The fact they were able to fight for the win despite that match getting away from them so quickly is a good sign amidst a lot of red flags, but three points in the bag and a favorable couple of matches ahead is the best way for a team to really settle in to some fine form.
Thoughts on the win? Leave a comment below!