Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Jamal Blackman was the latest keeper to start for LAFC on Wednesday night.
In a season that has been as up and down as this season has been for LAFC, head coach Bob Bradley has done just about everything possible to keep LAFC in the playoff race.
From having to navigate a slew of injuries, most notably to striker Carlos Vela, who has missed LAFC’s last seven matches, to notable players like Diego Rossi leaving to prove himself in Europe with Turkey’s Galatarasay, Bradley has had to do a lot of juggling in LAFC’s starting 11 throughout the season. Wednesday’s match against the Portland Timbers turned out to be no different, as Jamal Blackman became the fourth keeper to get the start bewteen the pipes for LAFC and midfielder Michee Ngalina of the Congo got the start.
However, despite the changes, the same issues that plagued LAFC on the field came back to rear its ugly head on Wednesday night; defensive breakdowns that lead to back-breaking goals which eventually lead to either dropped points or no points at all. Portland goals from Yimmy Chara and Darion Asrpilla overcame Danny Musovski’s second half equalizer, and LAFC was left to rue another bad result, a 2-1 defeat at Banc of California Stadium.
“I felt our guys put in a big effort,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said. “Again, we hurt ourselves with some goals in bad times at the end of the first half. “We’re trying to push but when we need that little bit of composure, savvy, smarts, on certain plays, when to shoot, what kind of ball to lay across, I think we hurt ourselves with some of those moments.”
The result leaves LAFC in a hole with the regular season starting to wind down. Wednesday’s loss combined with Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy and a scoreless draw between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Houston Dynamo not only left LAFC (9-12-6, 33 points) four points back of Minnesota United for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but also one point back of Vancouver.
“We know we still have a lot of games left and we still have an opportunity to make the playoffs,” Blackman said. “We need to stick together and we know the games we need to get the wins, and obviously do the best we can but
ultimately stay together for the team.”
Last week, it was bad starts in both the first and second halves that doomed LAFC. This time, at least in the first half, it was a bad finish that put LAFC behind the eight-ball. Portland took the lead heading into stoppage time, as Sebastian Blanco lifted a ball forward, Asprilla tracked down the ball, then played a well-weighted ball to Chara, who gathered himself and fired a left-footed shot that got past Blackman, went off the far post but crossed the goal line for a goal that gave the Timbers the lead heading into halftime.
LAFC however had an answer in the second half. Kim Moon Hwan, after being dispossessed of the ball by Cristhian Paredes, returned the favor by dispossessing Paredes, which allowed Jose Cifuentes to get to the loose ball. Cifuentes quickly played Musovski into the penalty area and Musovski’s left-footed volley beat Steve Clark far post to level matters. Portland however capitalized on an LAFC mistake in the 59th minute, as Jesus David Murillo overran a cleared ball, which allowed Felipe Mora to break for goal. Mora dribbled into the penalty area, Blackman left his line, Mora fired the shot, but it hif off the near post, but Asprilla, who had been trailing the play, swooped in and burned the rebound chance into an open net to put the Timbers back in front.
“I think it was important that they know that I acknowledge not only my mistakes but also their efforts,” Murillo said. “Everyone put in a great effort tonight. They are also a young group, so sometimes when things don’t go
our way, it makes it a little difficult to think straight but it’s important to take ownership.”
LAFC thought they were going to get a chance to equalize again, this one from the penalty spot, in 71st minute, as Chara was whistled for a handball inside the penalty area, but video review was initiated, and it showed the ball did not not go off Chara’s hand, therefore reversing the penalty call.
Blackman was the fourth keeper to start for LAFC in a season that has seen a revolving door between the pipes. The 6-6 Blackman started his career with Chelsea’s youth academy and has since played for numerous clubs, mostly in England.
“I want to try and come and help and do as much as I can for the team,” Blackman said. I think coming with a lot of experience, I want to be able to help the team and push the team to go forward.”
LAFC ends its week with a bang, as they play the third and final match of the 2021 El Trafico rivalry against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park.
