Surprising stalemate: LAFC 1, Sporting KC 1

Midweek Madness was on tap for LAFC tonight, with the black & gold back at home and playing host to Sporting KC. The home side settle in for their first of three matches in Los Angeles, as they look to regain the top spot in the Western Conference. Despite sitting on complete opposite ends of the standings, SKC would be coming into LA looking to cause some chaos and come away with the upset.

🇨🇭🇺🇸🇺🇸🇭🇳🇩🇪🇬🇦
🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇸🇲🇽🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/gMj80wHHCs

— LAFC (@LAFC) May 18, 2023

LAFC came out in typical fashion, getting off opportunities and opening up scoring. In the 13th minute Denis Bouanga did what he has done in just about every match he has played in so far. On the receiving end of a great pass from Mahala Opoku, Denis got a great look and slotted it home past the keeper for the early lead.

9⃣9⃣ is The Problem. pic.twitter.com/ea15jTct0t

— LAFC (@LAFC) May 18, 2023

It didn’t take long for the visitors to respond. Just seven minutes later, Sporting KC Captain, Johnny Russell used some nifty footwork to get passed the defenders and into some space. Enough space to get off a shot that went through the legs of Jakupovic for the equalizer.

Captain Johnny Russell ©️@SportingKC answer back. pic.twitter.com/hwyhw1FfIp

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 18, 2023

The teams went into the half even at one goal each. The sides finished pretty much even in just about every stat going into the break. The only difference was shots on target with LAFC tallying six, and SKC only coming up with the one, which to be fair did result in the goal. If the black & gold want the three points, they will have to shift into their other gears for the second half.

The squad indeed found those other gears, but Sporting KC did an incredible job of limited the amount of good looks for the home side. The match stayed level deep into the second half where it looked like LAFC were going to secure a win in the final minutes of the match. Ryan Hollingshead got his foot on one for what many thought was the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute. However, it was called back due to offside on the build-up.

Even after seven minutes of added time, the two sides were inseparable and finished the match equal at one goal a piece. The draw isn’t the worst thing in the world, but when you’re a team like LAFC, at home, up against a team at the bottom of the conference, you really should come away with the win. There will be little time to dwell though, as the side will be back on the pitch at BMO this Saturday, facing off against the team who handed them their only MLS loss so far this season.

What do you think of the result tonight? Leave a comment below!