Can black-and-gold take a key six-pointer?
LAFC finally, finally broke their duck last week after way too long between wins in the 2021 season. After a week to savor it and try and build upon it, can they do it again on Sunday when they host Real Salt Lake at The Banc?
The black-and-gold are coming off a cathartic 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City, a game where LAFC were as shorthanded coming in as they’ve been all season and putting up the best win of the campaign. They’re below the playoff line but well within touching distance, and they’ll need to keep building with wins to get over the hump and reach the bare minimum expectation for the season.
They’re facing an RSL side that’s been going through changes lately, with head coach Freddy Juarez leave about 10 days ago, to go become an assistant coach at the Seattle Sounders. It’s not something you see everyday, that’s for sure. Now, with Pablo Mastroeni in charge, believe it or not, RSL won their last game as well, 3-2 over FC Dallas, and they sit three points ahead of LAFC, in the final playoff spot.
The absence list is shorter this week for LAFC but it still has notable absences. While the internationals may be in contention for action after returning to Los Angeles, Carlos Vela (quad) remains out, as does Eddie Segura (ACL), Erik Dueñas (ACL), Tristan Blackmon (adductor), Mahala Opoku (knee), Julian Gaines (pelvis) and Alvaro Quezada (chest). Tony Leone (hamstring) is questionable.
For RSL, Aaron Herrera is suspended for this match, while Bobby Wood, Zac MacMath, Andrew Brody and Zach Farnsworth are out injured, and Jeizon Ramirez is questionable.
So, this is a real six-pointer for both teams, particularly LAFC. Can they finally, truly find some traction on the season? Let’s hope so!
Odds:
According to our partners at DraftKings Sportsbook, as of Saturday evening, LAFC are (-200), RSL are (+500) and a draw is (+370), so the odds favor LAFC big time once more. Let’s hope it predicts another victory.
How to Watch:
Sunday’s match between LAFC and RSL will be televised locally on My13 KCOP and Estrella TV, and streamed in the rest of the United States on ESPN+. The broadcast is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm PT with kickoff to come at 7:38.
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