Time is a circle. For LAFC, tonight’s match is a bit of a full-circle moment of sorts as they play host to cross-town rivals, LA Galaxy. If you want to look at the catalyst for what has been a run of, inconsistent at best, form then look no further than the last time these two met. LAFC were prepping for a CONCACAF Champions League final, and sent out a reserve side that couldn’t get it done, marking the start of what has been a tough middle of the season for the black & gold. Now, LAFC look to snap the slump with a win over the team that started it all, in hopes of breaking this mini-curse, and getting back to winning ways with playoffs just around the corner.
To Live and Die in LA. #LAFC x @LAFC3252 pic.twitter.com/2vIpyK5g5B
— LAFC (@LAFC) September 17, 2023
A special night was made even more so with the announcement of the starting lineups. LAFC fans saw a familiar face, with the return of Maxime Crepeau, to the Starting XI. Scoring first in a match like this is so important, and it was the team who has struggled to find the back of the net at times, to get on the scoresheet first. LAFC defender Diego Palacios sent a great ball into the box, where it found a leaping Denis Bouanga who got enough on it for the screaming header past the keeper for the opening goal.
Chiqui 🔗 Denis
📺 Watch live on #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/aMg7xBKuXK pic.twitter.com/AgXnFRmqto
— LAFC (@LAFC) September 17, 2023
The Galaxy answered immediately. On the ensuing kickoff the visitors cut right through LAFC’s defense, and found the equalizer. Some excellent passing ended with Billy Sharp getting just enough on a turn-and-shoot to get past Max to send it level.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
Billy Sharp scores after restarting on the kickoff. Wow. pic.twitter.com/werXcToFsG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 17, 2023
After that outburst of scoring, the match settled for five minutes before LAFC found their second goal to take the lead. Despite being a defender, Ryan Hollingshead has a knack for finding himself in positions to get opportunities at goal. This was no different, as he found himself at the top of the box with the ball, and just enough space to get off a shot. The effort went past the keeper, and he took the lead for the home side.
El biGOLte esta de regreso. 👨🏻
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— LAFC (@LAFC) September 17, 2023
LAFC took the slim lead into the halftime break. LA Galaxy would undoubtedly come out the aggressors in the second half, as they needed a win just to keep their playoffs hopes alive. LAFC however, needed a win just to continue to try and solidify their spot in the postseason as the season winds down.
Galaxy took advantage of the set piece in the 59th minute of the match. A nice ball into the box found Maya Yoshida at the back post for the goal. The second one for the visitors put us level once again in a match that seemingly had more goals left in it.
We’re level again in LA!
Maya Yoshida makes it 2-2. pic.twitter.com/aSKqHlTZVn
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 17, 2023
LAFC got a gift in the 79th minute, and only needed one chance to take full advantage, as well as the lead late in the match. A poor touch and sloppy play in the defense from the Galaxy, was blood in the water for Bouanga who jumped on the ball as it trickled into no-man’s land. The attacker needed just one look to take the lead and secure his brace.
“Merci beaucoup.” – @BouangaDenis
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— LAFC (@LAFC) September 17, 2023
As the match wound down, the visitors began to take more chances as they needed to get the result on the road. That risk came with consequences late in the match. With numbers forward, the quick counter-attack left the G’s vulnerable and LAFC had numbers on the break. The finished product was Timothy Tillman sending a rocket past the opposing keeper for the goal and the nail for the coffin. The two goal lead late was surely enough to see out the three points and snap the losing streak.
HIMOTHY.
📺 Watch live on #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/aMg7xBKuXK pic.twitter.com/LSluBAhLu0
— LAFC (@LAFC) September 17, 2023
The four goal effort from LAFC was enough to get the win at home and snap the losing streak after three matches without a result. While the match wasn’t a must-win in terms of playoffs hanging in the balance, it was a match the team needed to win to further solidify their position and avoid a pressure-filled final few matches of the season. The team aren’t out of the woods just yet, but do sit in second place with a chance to really send a statement to the rest of the league. Midweek madness looms ahead for LAFC, hitting the road to take on Western Conference leaders, St. Louis City SC, this Wednesday.
Thoughts on the win at home? Leave a comment below!