To say it’s been a tough stretch for LAFC would be an understatement. After opening up the season with a convincing win at home over the Seattle Sounders, the team didn’t just hit a wall, they hit a snowbank in Utah and flew off the cliff. Not only have the team failed to secure another win since then, but more concerning, they have failed to score a goal. Considering they have one of the most talented teams in the league, with the defending Golden Boot winner leading the attack, that’s a big problem. However the season is still early, and that can all change tonight.
Matchday: #LAFCvNSH
⏰ 7:30PM
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🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles App— LAFC (@LAFC) March 23, 2024
Fixing the obvious
To win matches in this sport one of the most important things to do, is score goals. Putting the ball into the back of the net, by any means. For the black & gold, this has been far easier said than done. The team has failed to score a goal in their last three matches, with two of those resulting in a loss. It’s not for lack of trying though, as the team has a combined 41 shots for those three matches, hitting double digits in attempts in all but their last match against Minnesota United. Head Coach Steve Cherundolo has not been shy this stretch, asking for more of his players, in particular Denis Bouanga who has still not opened his 2024 account on the scoresheet.
As we know, you can’t win a match if you don’t score. You can split points, but in a league like MLS, and in a conference like the West, draws will get you a fast ticket to the couch during the postseason. LAFC need to figure out what their problem is, and fix it in a hurry before the season gets away from them, which seems crazy to say so early in the year, but as we stand today the team sit in 10th place, but are much closer to pointless San Jose in last place, than they are to Minnesota who sit in first in the West.
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“The challenge for us now, is to play better” said LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez when speaking to media ahead of today’s match. “Not just results, but individually, I think, we have to do our jobs better to help the collective perform. I think the results will come after that.” One thing we talked about going into Minnesota was how aware this side are and how open they have been during these early season struggles.
We usually see teams close off, but this squad hasn’t hid from the spotlight. They know fans expect more, because they themselves expect far more. “They [Nashville] are very good against the ball and find ways to score goals and when they do get the lead they are very good at holding onto it” said LAFC defender Aaron Long of tonight’s opponents. “This will be a game for us where not only do we have to execute our gameplan, but we have to be clinical in both boxes. Defending set pieces, defending crosses in our own box, and when we do get chances….we have to take advantage of it, we have to score.”
Somewhat the inverse of LAFC, Nashville have scored in every match they have played outside the season opener where they failed to find the back of the net. They recently got knocked out of the Concacaf Champions League at the hands of Inter Miami, but responded with a win at home in their most recent outing. The similarities don’t stop there as their 2022 MVP and Golden Boot winner, Hany Mukhtar, much like Bouanga, has also failed to find the back of the net this season. The difference being, Nashville has gotten enough from their other players to keep getting results. Expect a gritty match, as all three previous meetings between these two have been decided by one goal, with neither side scoring more than twice.
How To Watch
The match is set to kickoff at 7:30pm PT from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The broadcast can be seen on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Those looking for the radio broadcast can find it on 710 ESPN LA, as well as the ESPN LA App for English and 980 AM La Mera Mera for Spanish.
How are you feeling going into this match? Leave a comment below!