Photos courtesy of LAFC; Brian Rodriguez got to face his former team in Penarol in LAFC’s preseason opener.
It was a first step.
Granted this first step wasn’t as significant as playing its first ever game two years ago, or the first ever game at Banc of California. However, for the 2020 edition of LAFC, Saturday’s preseason opener against Uruguayan side Penarol was the first step towards finishing the goal that had been set since the start of the franchise let alone last season; Hoisting the MLS Cup. LAFC took control of the match in the first half and ultimately rode it to a 2-0 win over Penarol at Banc of California Stadium.
It did make a lot of sense for LAFC to schedule Penarol, whether it be the preseason, or a friendly in the regular season, or whenever the opportunity presented itself. The Uruguayan side has provided LAFC with two quality players such as Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez. Rossi wasn’t available for the reunion, as he is currently with the Uruguay national team in its bid to get to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Rodriguez however not only was available for LAFC, but was in the starting 11.
“Obviously Peñarol is a special club and we have an excellent relationship,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said. “We were excited that they could come. There were all sorts of things that we tried to get out on a night like tonight. I could go over all things we could do to get better but overall I think we were pleased.”
While it may have been LAFC’s first match of the preseason, Carlos Vela appeared to be in mid-season form. Vela staked LAFC to the lead just 10 minutes in, as Vela curled a shot off his left foot from outside the box on the right side and the shot sailed past keeper Thiago Cardozo into the back net at the upper left corner. LAFC doubled its advantage in the 40th minute, as Vela’s corner kick hit off the near post, but Adrien Perez got to the ball and buried the rebound shot near post.
“It was really important for me to get a goal (because) I’ve been doing well in practice,” Perez said. “It’s important that I need to stay focused and keep doing what I’m doing.”
Penarol had a chance to make the match a little more interesting early in the second half when Denis Olivera was fouled inside the penalty area referee Omeed Azadpour awarded Penarol the penalty. Facundo Torres stepped up to take the penalty, and while he forced Sisniega to go the wrong way on the penalty, Torres was foiled by the framework, as he sent the shot off the left post and harmlessly back into play.
Not that the result of the match was significant. For LAFC, it was an opportunity to finally get on the field and get a taste of live game action. It was also an opportunity to get some playing time for players who are looking for opportunity to show they can contribute to a team that won the Supporters Shield and set the record for most points in a season last year. In addition to the regulars, LAFC had five players from its academy and also had three trialists from Phoenix Rising FC; Kevon Lambert, who started, Jordan Schweitzer and Junior Fleming. Schweitzer and Fleming both featured in the match.
“The one thing in both halves is stamina and the area where we’re missing the most guys right now is in the midfield,” Bradley said. “In terms of being able to control games and pass the way we always like, that’s a challenge so that means sometimes the front runners aren’t always getting the all opportunities.”
