LAFC remain on the road, as they head to the city of brotherly love, taking on Philadelphia Union. The MLS Cup Finals rematch will see two top teams in their respective conference, as they both look to improve on their positions in the table.
🇨🇴🇭🇳🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇨🇦
🇭🇷🇺🇾🇵🇱🇪🇨🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Vbmt3Kv7IH— LAFC (@LAFC) September 23, 2023
The first half was arguably one of the worst for LAFC. In many ways, it was the much of the same as we have seen this season, with both sides taking it slow, but this half we saw something we rarely, if ever, see. LAFC were held without a single shot in the half. The black & gold only maintained 34% possession, and couldn’t get off a single shot in the opening 45 minutes. The home side Union were able to get off three looks, but none of their efforts found the target.
The first half felt like a match where neither side wanted to win, and as the match went on, the play as well as the weather, seemingly got worse. The rain began to fall, and when the whistle came for the break, it wasn’t a moment too soon. With another 45 left, both sides would need some more bite if either side was going to leave with the three points.
The good news for LAFC in the second half, they managed to get off two shots through 80 minutes. The bad, was the obvious lack of goals, or any threat from the attack for that matter. The home side nearly took the lead early in the half, but had the goal ruled off after a look at the monitor. Even with a six minute stoppage time, neither side could find the goal by the time we heard the final whistle.
The draw dropped Philly down to fourth in the East, while LAFC remained second in the West, but now tied on points with the Seattle Sounders. With just four matches left, the black & gold will almost definitely see the postseason, but depending on the form going in, it could be an early exit more than run for the repeat. The team are back at home next Sunday, taking on Real Salt Lake.
Thoughts on the draw? Leave a comment below!