It’s becoming just as much a lock in life; death, taxes and LAFC winning its regular season opener.
Heading into its seventh season, LAFC has yet to lose its first game of the regular season, and the franchise apparently is not about to stop now. Welcoming the Seattle Sounders for a Saturday afternoon matinee, LAFC not only had to overcome the Sounders, but the framework as well. Nevertheless, LAFC persevered, as goals from Timothy Tillman and Mateusz Bogusz carried LAFC to its seventh straight season-opening win, a 2-1 decision at BMO Stadium.
“Certainly, the home games, I think you can draw a conclusion that the fans help push things over the finish line,”
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “Our fans are incredible. They came out again today to support us. Without them, the success LAFC has had over the first seven openers, or first six full seasons, wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
After 44 minute of buzzing around the Sounders net, but unable to push anything across, LAFC got an all-important goal just as stoppage time was getting started. Omar Campos was one-on-one with Obed Vargas, Campos dribbled to the end line, played a cross into the penalty area and Tillman one-timed a right-footed shot past defender Nohou and keeper Andrew Thomas into the back net. LAFC doubled its lead in the 56th minute, as Bogusz received a ball from Denis Bouanga, dribbled into the penalty area and fired a right-footed volley from about 17 yard out that hit the far post, but unlike three previous chances earlier in the match that were foiled by the framework, LAFC got the bounce it needed on this attempt, as the ball crossed the goal line for a second LAFC goal.
That goal by Bogusz turned out be much needed for LAFC. Seattle had a chance in the 67th minute, as Cristian Roldan sprung Jordan Morris for a breakaway, though LAFC defender Aaron Long was not far behind. Morris dribbled into the penalty area, Morris slowed down in attempt to evade long, Long brought down Morris and Seattle pleaded for a penalty, but referee Wesley Costa initially let play continue. However, minutes later, Costa got the call from VAR to take a second look, and after a lengthy review awarded the Sounders the penalty. Pedro de la Vega, the young Designated Player signee acquired for a $7.5 million transfer fee stepped up to the spot and beat keeper Hugo Lloris to get Seattle on the board. LAFC however was able to hang on for the win.
“Three points in the first game are very important,” Tillman said. “It’s always important to start with a good feeling, a special kind of confidence to the season.”
LAFC was aggressive to start, but potential goals were foiled by the framework. The first chance came in the 23rd minute, as Bouanga was one on one with Alex Roldan, Bouanga took the ball into the penalty area, then attempted a left-footed volley sailed over Thomas, but off the top of the crossbar. The second chance was in the 30th minute, as Eduard Atuesta, back with the club after a two-year stint with Brazilian club Palmeiras, sent a corner kick into the penalty area, Ilie Sanchez flicked a header towards goal, only to see the ball bounce off the top off the crossbar. The third chance to be foiled by the framework came just two minutes into the second half, as Bouanga let loose a 20-yard volley outside the penalty area, but the result was the same, as the ball bounced off the crossbar and harmlessly back into play.
There were some new faces in the LAFC lineup to begin the new season. Aside from the return of Atuesta, there was the debut of Campos, who signed a four-year deal after spending the last four years with Liga MX side Santos Laguna. However, the more anticipated debut was that of Lloris, the legendary French keeper who signed during the offseason after twelve glorious seasons with Tottenham Hotspur. Lloris was pressed into action just three minutes into the match, as Morris pounced on a deflected ball and was one on one with Lloris, Morris took the shot, but Lloris stoned Morris, parrying the ball back into play and Long cleared the ball from the penalty area.
“I do not think we could have started in a better way. The most important thing was to get the three points,” Lloris said. “Obviously, as you can see we are still working on our fitness level. We suffered a bit the last 20 minutes but with the help of the crowd, we managed to get the result we wanted. I am still learning my teammates but its been very good so far.”
Despite the new additions to the starting lineup, there was one notable absence from the starting 11, as for the first time ever in franchise history, LAFC began a season without its star player, Carlos Vela. The forward is currently a free agent and both Vela and LAFC have kept in contact about a potential return to the club, but discussions are said to be ongoing.
“We’ve been through preseason now and especially in the beginning it was weird without Carlos because he’s been very important for the club, but we have to try working without him right now,” Tillman said. “Today it was more about focusing on the game than thinking about who’s missing.”
LAFC will have its first road match of the season, as they head to Utah to face Real Salt Lake.
