Match Day One. The only time in all of soccer where every team feels like this could be their year. The time everyone starts unbeaten, and on the same level. For LAFC, this is a chance to shake off the dirt of disappointment after their 2023 campaign finished relatively successfully, just without any trophies to show for it. However, that is officially now in the past and the present is a match against Western Conference rivals, Seattle Sounders, to open up the 2024 season.
The #LAFC Starting XI vs. @SoundersFC
Today’s lineup is presented by @BMO_US #LAFCvSEA pic.twitter.com/gIagTCroXy
— LAFC (@LAFC) February 24, 2024
Unlike most season openers, this one was all out from the opening whistle. There was no feeling out process for either side as they got to work on breaking down each other almost immediately. Sounders put the early test on LAFC, giving us a chance to see newly acquired goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, in action as he made his first few saves in the first few minutes of the match. The home side woke up after the initial flurry from the opposition, and started to ask questions of their own. Those questions found an answer just as the first half was coming to a close. In the 45th minute newly acquired LAFC defender Omar Campos put together an excellent cross into the box that seemed to sail over his target. However, the ball found Timothy Tillman who was lurking in the area, and let it fly once he got possession. His strike was pure and found the back of the net for the lead just before the break.
HIMOTHY. pic.twitter.com/26bOkmbBsl
— LAFC (@LAFC) February 24, 2024
It was a deserved lead for the home side. Despite Seattle going into the halftime break with more possession, LAFC finished the first 45 with more shots (13) and had more shots on target (6). The second half started off strong enough for Seattle, as the visitors looked to find the equalizer before too long. However, it was the home side to slam the door shut on any attempt to bring it level, with a great strike in the 56th minute. Mateusz Bogusz dribbled into the opposing box, fainted like he was going to feed one of the other attackers on the run, pulled it back, and decided to take the shot himself from just inside the box. His strike did just enough to sneak past the crossbar to find its way past the keeper to double the lead.
Bangersz only! pic.twitter.com/kBuHzjdob4
— LAFC (@LAFC) February 24, 2024
As expected the Sounders didn’t hang their heads and stop fighting, they kept poking and prodding and around the 65th minute they were able to draw a penalty. After a lengthy review process, it was awarded and in the 72nd minute Pedro de la Vega stepped up to the spot and put it past Lloris to cut their deficit in half. The penalty conversion seemed to send a surge of energy through the Sounders as they fought for a point on the road.
From that goal forward, Sounders controlled the match. They had the home side on the ropes for a majority of the closing of the match, peppering the area with chances and making runs at the goal. With just over 15 minutes left in proceedings, the visitors looked favorites to sneak a point in a match LAFC had done well to take the lead in. Despite the push late, LAFC were able to see out the result and get the win at home. They even looked like they would drive home a third, but in the end, it was the 2-1 result that was enough for the three points.
The win gives LAFC seven wins in season home openers, as they have yet to open up a campaign at home with anything less than victory. This season though, has this result hitting just a bit harder as the team looked rough around the edges, but still polished enough to put away their rivals, and come away with three points to start the year.
Thoughts on the win today? Leave a comment below!
1 Comment
Seattle was playing without the 4 best players.