Featured Photo: Jen Flores-Fantasy Sports Cave
Los Angeles, CA | September 21 | Kelly Landaverde – @Kel_landaverde
22,022 fans showed up at the banc to cheer on their home team the “Black & Gold”. The locals count with their healthy Captain who’s back after suffering from a hamstring injury that had him sidelined during 2 games. After playing back to back matches on the East Coast LAFC where back for more action at their mansion. Carlos Vela didn’t play during the last home game they played against Minnesota United where they lost by 0-2. Minnesota was the team that put a stop sign, and snatched the winless streak they had at home. It will take some time until he reaches his maximum level.
Bob Bradley had a healthy squad to choose from, except for their forward Adama Diomande. Who the team won’t be able to rely on as he entered the SABH program and will be unavailable for competition, and team activities until he finishes his assessment and is cleared by the program officials. On the other hand this was an emotional visit for Laurent Ciman, who came back to his old home; he played during the 76th minute after subbing in Alejandro Pozuelo. This was the first time that an ex player played against them in a competitive match. The rivalry didn’t end there on the sideline we had head coach Bob Bradley and his son Michael Bradley playing captain of his team; what a clash it was. This is the 5th game LAFC doesn’t win.
During the entire game it was the Canadians that dominated. It was them who went up in the 19th minute Jozy Altidore received a great ball, and found a wide-open Japanese teammate Tsubasa Endoh who shot from the left flank to put them 0-1. The LAFC defense fell asleep, and that cost them during the whole game to cause some danger. The minutes kept passing by and it was the visitors who were up in the scoresheet during halftime.
Photo: Jen Flores- Fantasy Sports Cave
The game was not over yet there were still 45 more minutes to play. Chris Mavinga drew a foul on Latif Blessing in the box that led the referee Ted Unkel to revise it, after review Blessing was awarded a clear Penalty. Giving their captain a great opportunity to tie the game in the last second from the penalty box. It was just like that how the locals managed to secure a tough dramatic tie, that put an end to the uncertainty from being so close to losing an important match once again at home.
Photo: Omar Alonso- Deporte Total USA