After a hard fought draw on the road to the Portland Timbers, LAFC are once again back at home. The team welcome their toughest Eastern Conference opponent of the season up to this point, as NY Red Bulls, who are tied on points for tops in the East, make the trip to BMO for this evening’s match. The Red Bulls are in a three-way tie on points for best team in the league, but they wouldn’t be the first top team LAFC took down at home.
Matchday: #LAFCvNYRB
⏰ 7:30PM PT
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🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles— LAFC (@LAFC) April 20, 2024
Rare meeting
While not the first time these two have met, this is only the fourth time the two clubs will duel it out. Surprisingly, this will be the third time the two will meet in LA, with the previous matchup set to take place in New York in 2020, but was cancelled during the Covid outbreak. LAFC hold the advantage with two wins, and have been able to keep the Red Bulls under two goals in each match. The last time these two met was in 2022, with LAFC coming away with the 2-0 shutout.
“They [Red Bulls] are an excellent team this year defensively and collectively. I think, from I’ve scouted and we’ve played against they are the best team as far as staying connected and being a collective in attacking and defending and transition” said LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo when speaking ahead of today’s match. “They do a great job of not getting stretched, which is why they are maximizing their results. They do not allow other teams to get set, they will disrupt your rhythm, your play, because they feel comfortable in that phase.”
As we mentioned before, Red Bulls come into this match sitting tied on points atop the Eastern Conference, and tied on points with two other teams in the early race for the Shield. While not potent in front of goal with “just” 11 goals (MLS leaders have 19 while LAFC themselves have 13), the team from New York are incredibly stout defensively. They are tied with several teams leading the league with the fewest goals allowed (7) while the black & gold have let in 12 goals so far this season. This will be the toughest test for LAFC so far this season because unlike with the Galaxy this is a team that one, you don’t have that added motivation of rivalry fueling you, but most importantly, this is a team you don’t see nearly as often. Having last played two seasons ago, this is a vastly different team not just with roster, but style of play.
Defending the fortress
LAFC have done excellent at turning their home into a legit fortress within the league. Even at their absolute lowest, its difficult for teams to come into Los Angeles and take the three points. Despite the inconsistency on the road, the team are unbeaten at home, having won three of four, with a scoreless draw thrown in. They have outscored opponents 9-2 and still haven’t had their reigning Golden Boot winner wake up yet. So, if there is anywhere LAFC want to play one of the best teams in the league this season, its at home.
LAFC currently sit in sixth place in the West, sitting just four points off the leading LA Galaxy. A win tonight could be huge for gathering momentum to really kickstart the season and head into the halfway point in some serious form. This is the first of two matches at home for Los Angeles, before hitting the road to the Bay Area, keeping them within a 400 mile radius for the next month. If they can keep their run at home alive and use that to propel themselves into their first win on the road, it could be the spark the team needs. However, it all starts tonight, with a win over the best in the East, in the first real test of the season. Let’s see if the team can handle the smoke, or if they get lost in the clouds at home for the first time in 2024.
How To Watch
The match is set to kickoff at 7:30pm PT from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca. 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.
Thoughts on tonight’s match? Leave a comment below!