After a wild introduction to the best-of-3 series to open up the postseason, and after the long pause during the two week International break, it is once again time for LAFC to take the pitch. In case you forgot, the black & gold are up in Seattle to take on the Sounders in this Western Conference semifinals matchup. At this point the rivalry between these two sides is no longer budding, but in full bloom, and it doesn’t get much better than a playoff match where winner advances, and loser spends another year pondering what ifs.
🇨🇴🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇹🇺🇸🇨🇦
🇪🇨🇺🇾🇲🇽🇺🇸🇬🇦 pic.twitter.com/JucdsajWkR— LAFC (@LAFC) November 27, 2023
There was no wasting time in this one, as the home side looked to open up scoring immediately, testing LAFC goalkeeper, Maxime Crepeau, twice in just the opening minute of the match. The best chance for Seattle coming in the first five minutes, with a streaking Jordan Morris who just had the keeper to get past for the lead. Luckily for the visitors, Crepeau put a stop to the shot to keep us scoreless. For the most part, it was all Sounders in the first half. The home side kept 61% of possession put on five shots with three finding the target, but none finding the back of the net.
You never want to leave the door open for a team as good as LAFC, and in the 30th minute they showed why. Goalscoring machine, Denis Bouanga, went on the run, took on defenders, and even with the angle, scored a screamer for the opening goal of the match. The black & gold finished the half with just one shot on target, and they made the absolute most of it, taking the lead as the first half came to a close. The team would take the lead into the break, with Seattle undoubtedly looking to improve on their otherwise dominant half.
A Bouanga Blastâ„¢ puts us in the lead.
Watch 👉 https://t.co/lZY5j0E0Sg pic.twitter.com/kBu6s55mWp
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 27, 2023
The second half started much like the first, all Seattle. It took 15 minutes before LAFC were able to see the offensive half of the pitch, and that was only after the Sounders played it backwards. The powder keg fuse was already lit coming into the half with LAFC playing a little gamesmanship with how late they took the pitch, and it nearly exploded in the 65th minute when what looked like a foul on Chiellini just outside the box as Seattle was on the attack, was ruled clean, sending Sounders and the home crowd, into a frenzy.
Sounders may feel a type of way with how the match was officiated, they however can’t cry foul too loudly. They had plenty, and we mean plenty, of opportunities to find an equalizer and at every turn, were turned away. Crepeau must have learned transfiguration at some point in life, because tonight he morphed into a brick wall right in front us, turning down every shot Seattle threw his way.
80′ | Another fingertip save by Maxime Crépeau 🧤#SEAvLAFC 0-1 pic.twitter.com/Wuh7SIJCJw
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 27, 2023
It was the theme of the night, Sounders would get close and even let off some great looks, but they were met with an even better effort from the visiting goalkeeper who just refused to be beat on the night. When the final whistle went off, it was met with a cascade of boos from Sounders fans who feel slighted by officiating. While players equally felt frustrated, you can’t deny, they should have done more on the pitch, controlling what they could. As it was, LAFC escaped Seattle with a grind-it-out win on the road, as they move on to the Western Conference Finals. They will be back at home for the occasion, as they host the Houston Dynamo. At least for 2023, the black & gold have proven the better of these two sides, and now, they look to prove themselves the best team in the league, still.
Thoughts on the match and the next round? Leave a comment below!