It was a moment of celebration and reflection for LAFC.
Sunday’s regular season finale against Nashville SC marked an occasion for LAFC to celebrate winning the Supporters Shield title with its fans. Not even a loss to Nashville could dampen the mood, as Nashville needed the result far more than LAFC did, and longtime veteran Teal Bunbury delivered the three points with a second-half strike that sealed fifth place in the Western Conference courtesy of the 1-0 result.
“A great way to end the season with a trophy, which was one of our goals, and we’ve accomplished that, so I am very happy about that,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “A little downer with the results but no the performance. Most of us have been in the business long enough to understand there are games where you are dominant, create chances, the opposing keeper makes good saves, you don’t do well enough with your chances, and one slides in.
After holding LAFC scoreless throughout the first half, Nashville finally Hany Mukhtar sent a corner kick into the penalty area, Sean Davis flicked a header that bounced just outside the six-yard box and Bunbury sent a left-footed volley past keeper Maxime Crepeau into the back net. LAFC’s best chance came in the 53rd minute, but a chance by Denis Bouanga instead hit off the post. Nashville was able to hold off LAFC throughout the remainder of the match.
It is difficult to have lost because this is what we can face in ten days, we cannot let it happen again,” LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez said. “We know teams that want a result here would need to set up a counter attack or set piece. Tonight, it came from a set piece so we just need to be better at those situations.”
LAFC had a golden opportunity to take the lead just before halftime. Bouanga dribbled towards the penalty area, then played Cristian Arango into the pentlay area with only keeper Joe Willis to beat. Nashville defender Daniel Lovitz however pushed down Arango from behind, leaving a rather easy decision for referee Ted Unkel to signal LAFC to the penalty area. However, instead of Carlos Vela stepping to the spot, it was Arango, who stepped up, apparently looking to finish what he started. Arango took a giant step, shot for the left side, but Willis managed to stretch out his right hand to parry the ball over the end line.
Sunday’s match was a chance for LAFC to bask in the glory of winning its second Supporters Shield title in four years. The team started by paying tribute to one of the team’s most ardent supporters, Mo Fascio, who passed away back due to COVID-19 back in March of 2021. Representatives of the team’s 3252 supporters group received the shield from the New England Revolution’s independent supporters group, the Midnight Riders, the shield made its way to the LAFC team, and they celebrated it with the entire 3252 group on the stadium’s west side.
Winning the shield this year is a remarkable turnaround for the franchise considering where it was standing at around this time last season. LAFC was going through its first coaching chance, having decided to move on from Bob Bradley, who lead LAFC to the shield in 2019. LAFC decided to go with Cherundolo, the longtime USMNT defender who had spent his entire career in Germany and had managed LAFC’s USL affiliate Las Vegas Lights last year prior to taking the gig. It soon became apparent that Cherundolo was indeed the right man for the job, as he brought more of a presence of calm to the team that differed from Bradley’s strict attention to detail.
LAFC also made moves to bolster the roster, acquiring Sanchez and shoring up the keeper position, LAFC’s biggest weak spot in 2021, by acquiring Maxime Crepeau from the Vancouver Whitecaps. LAFC didn’t stop there, making headlines internationally during the summer, first by acquiring Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, then by signing Welsh superstar Gareth Bale. LAFC finished off its spending spree by utilizing its third designated player spot on Gabonese forward Denis Bouanga, who scored the goal last weekend in Portland that clinched the shield for LAFC. All these moves were key in LAFC regaining the Supporters Shield this season.
While winning the Supporters Shield is a remarkable achievement, the ultimate goal for LAFC is still the MLS Cup title. LAFC could not close the deal in 2019, losing to the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference final. LAFC won’t have to worry about the Sounders this season, as they will miss the playoffs for the first time its MLS history, but it still will be challenging, particularly with its cross-town rival LA Galaxy lurking in the shadows. LAFC will face the winner of the matchup between the fourth-seeded Galaxy and this very same Nashville squad. Nevertheless, LAFC knows it will have to be prepared either way.
“It is going to be a good match regardless,” LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead said. “At this point we are so confident on who we are, especially at the Banc at home that we are ready to see anybody and face anybody. We are the team to beat in this league and the Shield shows it but we now need to go prove it.”
