They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, in the same vein, MLS hath no fury like an LAFC team looking to get back into the win column after a big loss. The most recent outing for the black & gold didn’t go how the team had hoped by any stretch. In the MLS Cup Final rematch, Columbus not only came away with another win over LAFC, but they did so in dominating fashion. Now, with the 5-1 drubbing dusted, and their behinds no longer red from the beating, the team focus on another rematch, this time against Real Salt Lake.
Showtime in Los Angeles 📺🎥#LAFC | @Ticketmaster
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 16, 2024
From bitter cold, to boiling heat
The last time these two battled it out, was the wild and chaotic snow game back in March. The early season matchup was comical in how ridiculous it was, with the teams having to battle not just each other, but layers of snow with more falling. Real Salt Lake came away with the win on the night, but it was a match LAFC were quick to forget, less so for the result, more so for how insane it was trying to player soccer in three inches of snow.
While you may not have been able to get any real analysis from that match, it was a win at the end of the day for RSL, giving them just the fourth win over LAFC in the 17 times these two have played, with LAFC coming away winners the other 13 times. Now, RSL will come into Los Angeles where the last time they won was way back in 2018. Perhaps worst of all for the visitors, they will be missing not just one, but two handfuls of players between the major suspension to striker Chicho Arango, as well as a litany of injuries they are dealing with.
Starting a new streak
All good things must come to an end, but nobody wants it to end the way LAFC’s unbeaten run came crashing down last time out. The match against Columbus is likely one the team wanted to forget faster than they forgot their first fixture against RSL. Now, the team have a short turnaround on their side to try and get back into the win column to close out strong before the summer break.
Unlike their opponents, LAFC will only be without two players – Jesus Murillo and Sergi Palencia – who were both shown red cards against the Crew. That said, it’s always the matches you expect to win comfortably that tend to prove the most tricky. For the black & gold, they will need to avoid that tonight. Not to mention, RSL are currently one of two other teams tied on points with LAFC atop the West so despite being shorthanded, the visitors will be looking to kick LA while their down and steal another three points off them. The biggest key for LAFC tonight will be getting back to who they have been the last few months, not who they were to start the season.
How to Watch
The match is set to kickoff at 7:45pm PT from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca. The broadcast can be seen, for free once again, 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.
Thoughts on the midweek madness tonight? Leave a comment below!