Lee Nguyen got things started for LAFC on Sunday night against the Colorado Rapids.
By Ivan Yeo
The train appears to be back on track for LAFC.
After enduring a tough month-long stretch in which it was eliminated from the US Open Cup and was mired in a five-match winless streak, LAFC seems to have right the ship. Following its 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, LAFC picked up another three points on Sunday night, and they did it at the expense of the other Rocky Mountain side, this time, rolling to another 2-0 win, this time against the Colorado Rapids at Banc of California Stadium.
“Overall, I liked the game,” LAFC head coach bobo Bradley said. “2-0 wins in this time of year are important, because 2-0 wins usually mean that there’s a solid way from start to finish.”
Lee Nguyen and Diego Rossi provided the goals for LAFC while on the other side, keeper Tyler Miller and defender Danilo Silva made the big plays on defense. The contributions allowed LAFC to move into a tie for second place in the Western Conference.
LAFC finally found the back net in the 49th minute. Rossi played a ball into the penalty area, Colorado’s Jack Price headed the ball down, but LAFC’s Lee Nguyen beat Kellyn Acosta to the loose ball, sidestepped Price, then shielded the ball away from Deklan Wynne just outside the six-yard box, turned left, which left him with a sightline at the near post and Nguyen took advantage, firing the shot past Tim Howard into the back net.
Colorado did have several chances to get an equalizer. Price intercepted a pass from Laurent Ciman, in the 75th minute played a ball to Jack McBean, who then sprung Niki Jackson with a long ball towards the penalty area. However LAFC defender Danilo Silva, who had been marking Jackson, made the play on defense, as he punted the ball in the air, and more importantly, did so before making contact with Jackson, who went to ground in an apparent attempt to draw the penalty, but to no avail.
Colorado continued to press for an equalizer. Dillon Serna sent a long ball into the box in the 77th minute and an unmarked McBean headed a ball right at goal, but it was also right at Tyler Miller, who caught and fell on the ball. The Rapids’ last best shot to level the match came a minute later, as Acosta fired a 20-yard volley towards the left post, but Miller stretched his left hand out and managed to parry the ball across the end line.
“Those moments are huge,” Miller said. “I’m always locked in and ready to make that play that my team needs me too.”
LAFC eventually made Colorado rue those missed chances. Adama Diomande backheeled a ball to Rossi and he was off to the races. Rossi sprinted into the penalty area unmarked and despite Danny Wilson closing space, Rossi made his way into the penalty area and fired a shot that beat Howard far post to give LAFC the two-goal cushion.
“Steven [Beitashour] gave a good ball to Dio and then Dio then gave me the assist,” Rossi said. “It’s one of the type of attacks that we work on.”
While they will finally look forward to a little extended time off after two busy weeks filled with midweek matches, there still is no rest for the weary for LAFC, as they head down the 110 freeway to StubHub Center for a Friday night tilt with the Galaxy in the final installment of the 2018 El Traffico.
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