The LAFC squad has been back in training this week following a fourth consecutive win in all competitions, after riding two quick goals in succession to a 2-0 victory over the Columbus Crew. With Saturday’s home fixture against the Philadelphia Union (June 30 at 5p | YouTube TV, UniMás) two short days away, Bob Bradley was asked how his side go about engineering another quick start.
“I think the way we work remains exactly the same. We have our ideas of what good football is all about for us. Now we just keep trying to build on it.
“Against Columbus we had a really good start. We were able to get goals. I think we had some periods where we became a little bit too passive. Dropped a little bit too much. I always want to see us find ways, even if we’re not pressing, to move out a little bit more so that we’re not too deep on the field. Also puts us in better position when we win the ball to start to connect passes and make good decisions either going forward or just keeping the ball. Those are things, they go in waves for us, but overall, I see progress.”
The start against Columbus wasn’t just quick, it was historic for LAFC. The two goals in the fourth and eighth minutes of the match were the fastest in Club history at Banc of California Stadium – clocking just a minute under Steven Beitashour’s goal in the ninth minute in a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas in early May.
Despite finding the net at a historic pace last match, Bradley emphasized the importance of a quick start regardless of early goals.
"I think you want to start the game with good energy, you want to pick good moments to press, and you want to put the game on your own terms. And that doesn’t always mean you get goals right away,” Bradley said. “I think Laurent’s goal stunned Columbus a little bit, and then we were able to take advantage and come back quickly with a second goal."
"The idea of how you want to start, aggressive, playing the ball forward, and moving forward, those are things we need to see all the time.”
News & Notes
- Mark Anthony-Kaye was back in full training this week. The midfielder was not part of the 18 for LAFC's match with Columbus due to a sprain of the MCL in his right knee. He should be available for Saturday's match, as well as the trip to Houston.
- In regards to quick goals, Laurent Ciman's goal in the fourth minute against Columbus is not just the quickest at Banc of California Stadium for LAFC, it's the quickest in Club history in MLS. Prior to the Ciman's strike, Carlos Vela held that designation with a goal in the fifth minute against the Galaxy back on March 31.
- Speaking of Carlos Vela, Bob Bradley was asked if he'd spoken to Vela while the Mexican international was away at the World Cup. The LAFC head coach had this to say: "We trade messages. I asked the question if any team has ever beaten both Germany and Brazil in the World Cup. I haven’t researched the answer, but I don’t think so. And so for Mexico, it’s a chance to make history if that’s true."
