It was back to MLS action for the defending Cup winners, LAFC, taking the brief trip up North to take on San Jose Earthquakes. After punching their ticket to the Champions League Finals in the midweek, the black & gold were back on the pitch, this time putting their unbeaten MLS record on the line against the Western Conference foes.
🗣️ WE ARE LOS ANGELES#LAFC x @LAFC3252 pic.twitter.com/Hcf1nUcybJ
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 6, 2023
The scoring opened up early between these two teams, with the home side drawing first blood before the ten minute mark. While the passing in the final third was slightly discombobulated, it was good enough to get past the LAFC defense and find an open Cristian Espinoza who slotted it home for the early lead.
7 goals in 11 games.
Cristian Espinoza is cooking for @SJEarthquakes. ♨️ pic.twitter.com/cNlnK76Mrw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 6, 2023
For most of the first half, LAFC controlled proceedings but for much of the early stages, they just couldn’t find the final push in attack. They finished the half with 10 shots (5 on target), and maintained 58% possession. However, it took until halfway through the half before the visitors found the equalizer. After saving the initial spot, it was the man with the golden touch, Denis Bouanga, who followed up the shot and sent in a second chance to bring his side level.
¡BOUANGOOOOOOOOL! pic.twitter.com/1cNRvF074x
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 7, 2023
The two sides went into the break all even, with San Jose looking fairly scary. Despite the lack of possession, the home side was keeping the defending champions within striking distance. That showed to pay off late in the match, with San Jose being awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. Espinoza stepped up to the spot and sent LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy leaping one way, while he sent the ball the other for the brace and late lead.
Fulltime. pic.twitter.com/2DVUHNNBlc
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 7, 2023
The late penalty ultimately proved enough for San Jose, hanging on in the final moments to come away with yet another home win over LAFC. The loss is the first one in the MLS for the black & gold, who are surely starting to feel just some of the affects of having a handful of matches in a short amount of time. Now, the team can focus on the bigger picture and shake off the first loss of the season as they continue their work towards repeating as MLS Cup winners, and finishing the job in the Champions League. LAFC will stay in the greater Bay Area for their next match, Tuesday, going up against Monterey Bay FC in the US Open Cup Round of 32.
What do you think of the team’s performance tonight? Leave a comment below!