- PLEASE NOTE: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health requires all guests to wear masks/face coverings indoors and in the stadium concourse unless actively eating or drinking.
LAFC vs. Real Salt Lake
MLS 2021 Season - Match 15
Saturday, July 24, 2021
7:30 p.m. PT
TV: My13 KCOP, Estrella TV
RADIO: 1110 AM ESPN, ESPN App (Audio), KFWB 980 AM
In searching for their fourth-straight victory the Black & Gold were stunned Wednesday night 2-1 on a stoppage time winner after controlling most of the match against Western Conference rival Portland Timbers.
The Timbers took an early lead in the 2nd minute on a goal by Diego Valeri, but LAFC quickly answered back, tying the match in the 17th minute as Carlos Vela finished off an impressive pass from Diego Rossi. The match appeared headed for a 1-1 draw but in the waning seconds of the match Portland’s Felipe Mora jumped in the box and headed home the game-winner off a cross from Sebastian Blanco just seconds before the final whistle.
“I think we did well to fight back to tie and we had chances to go up, and we’re disappointed that we didn’t go up 2-1,” said LAFC defender Tristan Blackmon. “Obviously at the end we didn't handle the situation well, they got a cross off and as we saw, put the ball in the back of the net.”
Up next, the Club faces a Vancouver Whitecaps squad that has seen increased development year over year since former LAFC assistant coach Marc Dos Santos took the helm prior to the 2019 season. The all-time matchup between the two sides sits in LAFC’s favor at 3-2-1, however LAFC’s results when playing at Banc of California Stadium paint a wholly different picture. In the Club’s three matches at home against Vancouver, the Club has a record of 2-0-1 with 14 goals for and three goals against, and each of LAFC’s wins featured six-goal matches.
We will see if the Black & Gold can keep up their home prowess against Vancouver this weekend.
VANCOUVER IN-DEPTH
Marc Dos Santos has always had a knack for getting his players to fight hard, but this year he also has a little more depth and skill on his squad compared to previous years. They possess speedy attacking wingers in Déiber Caicedo and Cristian Dájome that have been constant threats this season. Another dangerous attacking threat includes newcomer Brian White that has brought more balance upfront for the Canadian side. Offensively, they have been an aerial threat as well. Defensively however, their coverage has been spotty at times on the backline.
THE RETURN OF BRIAN RODRIGUEZ
It is too early to jump to conclusions, but the match against Portland saw a welcome development in Brian Rodríguez getting back on the pitch for the Black & Gold after returning to Los Angeles from a loan with Spanish Segunda División side UD Almería.
“He’s excited to be back,” said LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley. “We know that Brian has abilities, talent, speed and can do great things with the ball, but we just need more time.”
LAFC WILL WIN IF
The Club can finish, finish, and finish. Chances have been plentiful in the last two games, but LAFC has failed to convert and managed just three total goals on 46 total shots. If they can finish even one more of these kinds of chances, they will find success.
VANCOUVER CAN WIN IF
They can convert set pieces. They have been an aerial threat all season long and if they can catch LAFC out of position they can find success.
Inspired by Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957).
