The road trip continued for LAFC this Mother’s Day weekend, as the team headed to Utah to take on Real Salt Lake in MLS action. The ‘regular’ Starting XI come into this one well-rested, after the team sent out the youth/ reserve squad to get past Monterey Bay FC in the US Open Cup. The last time out in the MLS the black & gold fell 2-1 to San Jose Earthquakes, so they were looking to get back into the win column, in style, on the road.
📍 Sandy, UT#LAFC pic.twitter.com/j95raTWBI8
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 14, 2023
It didn’t take long for LAFC to find themselves in the lead and back to their vintage ways. In the eighth minute of the match, a gorgeous pass up the field found a streaking Mahala Opoku who got on the end of it with plenty of space. With just the keeper to beat, he took his shot and slammed it past for the early lead.
What a pass. What a finish. 💫 pic.twitter.com/R5w4QFUYnv
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 14, 2023
In the 35th minute, Real Salt Lake did the one thing you probably do not want to do against this LAFC side. They allowed Denis Bouanga to get open, and get space. Enough space to get a clear look at goal. Even though it was from well outside the box, the man on fire hit us with a heat check, and sent a ball scorching passed the opposing keeper, who got a touch on it, to double up the lead before halftime.
YOUR DEFENSE IS TERRIFIED. pic.twitter.com/tlTxGRQnHv
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 14, 2023
LAFC took that two goal lead into the half, in full control of the match. Real Salt Lake finished the half with 11 shots, but only three found the target. LAFC found the target just two times on eight shots, but those two times were all they needed to score. All the black & gold needed to do in the second half was see out the win, and maybe add a couple more scores for style points.
The home side came out a different side in the second half. Or perhaps it was LAFC who came out with their foot off the gas. Either way, it was Real Salt Lake who came out shooting like the shooters they seem to see themselves. RSL put on another four shots in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, with LAFC just doing what they could to keep them scoreless.
The desperation started to seep in for RSL, and the defense started to get a bit sloppy down the stretch. In the 85th minute LAFC was awarded a penalty, as they looked to drive in the final nail of the evening. Mateusz Bogusz stepped up to the spot and extended the lead to three for the visitors, all but securing the three points on the night.
Bonus from Bogusz. pic.twitter.com/TE4zhjs4zt
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 14, 2023
The win put LAFC back into the W column in style, as they secured the three points with a three goal, shutout win on the road. The team will be back at home next weekend, when they host Western Conference foes, Sporting KC.
What do you think of the win tonight? Leave a comment below!