For the last time before the long break, LAFC are at home. They play host to the best in the West, St. Louis City SC. The expansion side has been in tremendous form as of late, and look to stamp their mark on their first trip to BMO to take on the defending MLS Cup champions.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇹🇭🇳🇺🇸🇺🇸
🇪🇨🇪🇨🇵🇱🇲🇽🇬🇦 pic.twitter.com/Ml20JamBbQ— LAFC (@LAFC) July 13, 2023
Despite LAFC needing to start the match off strong, and preferably with an early goal, the first half ended fairly evenly. LAFC had the slight advantage in shots created, 4-3, but couldn’t put any of them on target. They went into the halftime break with more possession at 55% but they couldn’t do much with it. St Louis did a great job of feeling the match out without putting themselves too at risk, and went into the break in prime position to smash and grab a possible win., LAFC would need a strong finish to come away with the three points at home.
LAFC were peppering the goal in the second half. You could see them getting closer and closer to the go-ahead, and getting frustrated they weren’t finding the back of the net. In the 72nd minute Carlos Vela got on the end of an excellent ball sent forward, and he got the space needed, controlled the ball, and smashed it home. His emotions after the goal said everything about what it meant.
Nunca dudes del Rey. pic.twitter.com/hxe6w3n0y2
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 13, 2023
In the 82nd minute LAFC slammed the door on the visitors, when Denis Bouanga found himself on a great attack, and sent an excellent pass to the running Stipe Biuk who calmly finished to double the lead late with a wide open opportunity.
Bouanga. Biuk. Bang. pic.twitter.com/6ARAL6psQM
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 13, 2023
The final nail in the coffin came in the final minutes of the match. Jose Cifuentes found himself on the end of a ball that saw him wide open just inside the box where he unloaded for the goal. Making it three goals on the night, and giving LAFC the massive three points at home.
One more for the road. pic.twitter.com/tjnoLRf27d
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 13, 2023
The win snaps a four-match winless run, giving the black & gold the momentum heading into break. Being able to take three points off the conference leaders is a huge step in making sure they maintain the home-field advantage. The team will be back in action in their last match before the break, on the road against Minnesota United this Saturday.
Thoughts on the win? Leave a comment below!