After the elimination from the inaugural Leagues Cup, it was back to MLS action to begin the final push of the regular season. Coming into this one LAFC sit in second place in the Western Conference, looking to secure home field for the playoffs ahead. The last-placed Colorado Rapids were in town to take on LAFC at BMO Stadium. With the playoffs around the corner, the black & gold are looking to find some momentum with some wins in the coming weeks.
Welcome home, Cristian. 🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/SvaBeJAW0B
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 24, 2023
It didn’t take long for LAFC to get on the scoreboard. In the 19th minute it was Mateusz Bogusz, who has gotten really good at scoring bangers, hit another. After receiving a nice pass, the midfielder needed just one look to light a rocket towards goal that found the back of the net.
Mati Magic. 🪄
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— LAFC (@LAFC) August 24, 2023
When the 30th minute rolled around, the black & gold had doubled their lead. Carlos Vela did an excellent job of toeing the line of the defense, and got on the end of an excellent through ball from Ilie Sanchez. Vela had time, space, and nobody in front of him other than the keeper, and we all know how that story ends. The Captain doubled the lead for the home side.
An assist fit for a King. 🎯
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— LAFC (@LAFC) August 24, 2023
It was a vintage performance in the first half for LAFC in their return to MLS action. Just six minutes after their second goal, Los Angeles got a third. Defender, Ryan Hollingshead, went running down the side, giving pass energy the entire time as he slowed closer to the goal. In the end, he decided he was a shooter, and angle be damned, he was shooting. Those vibes were rewarded with the third goal of the half.
Hollingshead makes it 3⃣ in the first half.
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— LAFC (@LAFC) August 24, 2023
The second half was a lot of the same, just in moderation. It looked like LAFC had secured a fourth goal in the early stages of the half, but alas, a controversial foul call reversed the best ‘goal’ of the match. It was all LAFC as they saw out the match, and in the 84th minute, new arrival, Cristian Olivera, wasted no time in making a great first impression. Denis Bouanga dropped a dime with his pass to a running Olivera who needed just one touch to send the ball into the back of the net.
Debut Dagger.
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— LAFC (@LAFC) August 24, 2023
It was a vintage performance for LAFC, something we have said more of lately, but this is still a team needing a bit more consistency heading into the postseason where we all know, it gets a little hectic out there. Still, when you host one of the worst teams in the league, you have your way with them if you’re one of the better teams, and tonight LAFC showed they most definitely one of the better teams.
Thoughts on the big win at home? Leave a comment below!
1 Comment
An amazing job by the front office and coaches, as they continue to cycle through players at all three levels and just keep rolling. It is quite amazing. Bouanga has quickly become a star, replacing Rossi and Arango to provide the goals. Bogusz has really started to impress with his passing and shooting. Let’s hope the players that have been brought in to replace Cifu and Opoku can grow into the team in the 2H.