Los Angeles Football Club got a bit of redemption on Saturday against Portland Timbers with the score 3-2 at the BMO Stadium.
After a 2-2 draw versus Portland Timbers two weeks ago, following a draw against the New York Red Bulls with the same result, LAFC is slowly rolling the ball.
LAFC’s recent performance trend is a testament to the team’s resilience and determination and a beacon of hope. With only one loss in the last six games, the team is slowly but surely making its mark.
Denis Bouanga again saves Los Angeles FC with a last-minute winner, scoring past former LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. It’s the second occasion Bouanga has saved LAFC this season, but this can’t continue, especially if LAFC wants to win the MLS Cup.
Three things I noticed on Saturday night despite LAFC’s struggle to get the win against Portland Timbers.
Same old Problems
Even though LAFC got three points, the Black and Gold still have the same problems as last season. It is difficult for them to defend a 1-0 or 2-0 lead every time.
Last season, LAFC was in the Leagues Cup after being 2-0 up against Mexican team Monterrey. Monterrey won the game 3-2, knocking LAFC out of the competition. Once things get tough, LAFC starts to lose concentration and lack belief, and it ends up losing or drawing the game.
Coach Steve Cherundolo still hasn’t learned from this, which is a big problem. Instead of telling his players to finish the game, he tells them to stay back and hold the lead. LAFC defenders can’t hold the lead as they have mistakes on them.
Despite LAFC’s two good seasons in 2022 and 2023, the mistakes remained, and no one talked about them. Since LAFC is having a tough season, the mistakes are slowly getting more exposed.
Denis Bouanga
Bouanga has carried LAFC on his shoulder for the last two seasons, and it has shown in the previous two weeks. Last season, he scored 38 goals in all competitions, and this season, even though he’s not scoring enough, he still has six goals.
Yes, LAFC won the Western Conference final last season, finished third in the Western Conference, got into an MLS and CONCACAF final, and had a team. But without Denis Bouanga’s goals, LAFC would probably not have gone far last season.
LAFC giving Bouanga a new contract is good news, but the club needs more quality players in the summer.
LAFC Still Has What It Takes To Win
Although LAFC is having a difficult season, the Black and Gold still show glimpses of the last two years. A few weeks ago, LAFC beat LA Galaxy, which is in form this season and drew against the New York Red Bulls, which are in third place in the Eastern Conference.
LAFC remains unbeaten at home this season and hasn’t lost a home game since October 1st versus Real Salt Lake, in which LAFC lost 1-0 thanks to former LAFC player Cristian Arango.
LAFC has to go out in the market this summer and sign the proper players. Carlos Vela, who is a free agent, Giorgio Chiellini, and Diego Palacios left; therefore, there is room to sign top players.
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