LAFC

Seventh heaven for LAFC in return: LAFC 7, FC Juarez 1

The black & gold put on a vintage performance, scoring seven in the rout at home
Trebor TracyBy 4 Mins Read
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga after scoring a goal. Photo by Brenton Tse | Angels on Parade

The break is over and it was back to action for LAFC. The team was back at home to host Liga MX side, FC Juarez, as they also made their Leagues Cup debut. After getting the bye for winning MLS Cup last season, the team enter the competition in the Round of 32. While the squad is looking to win the competition, their biggest goal is using tonight to get back to finding consistency, and getting back to dominant ways.

The match started off evenly. The visitors were looking good as they went up against a really tough opponent, on the road. However, it was LAFC breaking through first, even though it took them 30 minutes to do so. Kellyn Acosta got off a thunder strike from outside the box that deflected off defender Ryan Hollingshead for the goal. Sometimes you need things to go your way and it did there for the home side.

While not ideal, FC Juarez would have taken the one goal deficit going into the half, however LAFC had something to say about that. Just two minutes after their opener, LAFC star Carlos Vela got on the scoresheet. A ball that the keeper couldn’t clear out well enough found Vela who lofted a chip shot over him and into the back of the net to double the lead before halftime.

The visitors went into the half down, but not out yet. They came out of the second half energized and looking a real threat to pull off a comeback. In the 47th minute they were able to cut the deficit in half. Escoto pulled one back off the corner kick, finding himself in the right place at the right time.

That goal woke up the beast. LAFC wouldn’t just take over, they would absolute dominate the second half as the floodgates opened. In the 51st minute Denis Buoanga nearly scored a header that was saved, but he stuck with it and slammed home the follow-up to extend the lead back to two goals.

Not to be outdone in the moment, Carlos Vela got his brace in the 60th minute behind an excellent effort with his legendary left foot. The LAFC captain got some space from outside the box and sent the ball top shelf past the keeper for the team’s fourth of the evening.

The two would then combine powers and connect for a goal just five minutes later. Vela with the excellent no-look pass to a running Bouanga who, despite the angle, found the answer to get it past the keeper for the goal. It was so pure even the ref couldn’t believe it, nearly calling it offside before a quick check showed the goal was good.

LAFC got a penalty late in the match, giving Bouanga a chance to get a hattrick in yet another competition. He stepped up to the spot and added a sixth goal as the team went flying into the next round off their best performance of the season.

LAFC even got the youth involved late. LAFC youngster and 19-year-old homegrown, Nathan Ordoz, comes off the bench and as time winds down, gets on the end of a great pass and then slots it home for his first-ever goal as a member of LAFC. It was the cherry on top of a very convincing night.

In truth, the rising Liga MX side was no match for the black & gold, who came into this one looking to make a statement and they did just that. The performance was by far the best of the season as the team did indeed look refreshed and revitalized. Now, the question is, can they keep this up for the rest of the season? If they can, they will undoubtedly be favorites to repeat as MLS Cup winners.

Thoughts on the win tonight? Leave a comment below!

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