One might wonder if LAFC had enough time to shake off its heartbreaking CONCACAF Champions League loss to Leon, if Wednesday night’s quick turnaround against Atlanta United was going to tire off LAFC, or was it more of an opportunity for LAFC to quickly put that loss behind them and quickly get back to the business of repeating as both Supporters Shield and MLS Cup Champions.
After Wednesday night’s performance, it was the latter that won out, though the result was not the one that LAFC wanted. LAFC dominated possession and the shot attempts all night, but Atlanta turned out to have the great equalizer on its side, as keeper Brad Guzan turned in a dominant performance between the pipes with eight saves, and LAFC was forced to settle for the scoreless draw at BMO Stadium.
“Judging by the performance I think they’re handling it quite well,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said of transitioning from the CCL loss back to league plan. “I think we’ve already digested the Champions League final. There’s no way you play a game like that tonight if you haven’t. There’s frustration of course by not getting three points, not getting rewarded.”
Guzan was a thorn on the side of LAFC from the start. Guzan got his first save in the 12th minute, as Denis Bouanga fired a left-footed volley from just outside the penalty area, Guzan got the stop, and though he spilled the ball momentarily, Brooks Lennon was there to clean up for Atlanta. Another chance for LAFC came ten minutes later, as Opoku sent a ball into the six-yard box at the back post, Mateusz Bogusz one-timed a shot on goal, but Guzan chested the ball down and eventually sent the ball away.
The LAFC chances continued well into the second half. Bogusz dribbled down the right side, crossed into the penalty area, Bouanga came in and tried to head a ball to the far post, but not only did his header just miss, the officiating crew was not convinced that Bouanga was kicked in the head by Lennon, who was marking Bouanga. Guzan’s best save however, came in the 66th minute, as Biuk dribbled into the penalty area, played a ball to Bouanga, who took a quick touch before firing a shot just outside the six, but Guzan got his right hand on the shot, sending the ball towards the far post and defender Miles Robinson cleared the ball out of the penalty area.
“He had a great game,” LAFC keeper John McCarthy said of Guzan’s effort. “There is nothing you can’t say, he made some saves and then he made some extra saves. He had a really good game and I think everyone knows that and he was the reason why they got the result.”
Perhaps the most agonizing missed chance for LAFC started in the 69th minute. Carlos Vela was fouled from behind by Juan Jose Purata inside the penalty area while trying to get on the end of a Bouanga cross, and referee Joseph Dickerson awarded LAFC the penalty on the grounds that Purata impeded a goal-scoring chance. Vela stepped up to the spot, Vela sent the shot to his right, but Guzan guessed right, parrying the ball over the end line. Dickerson however went to VAR, and it was determined that Guzan left his line prior to Vela getting off the shot, meaning LAFC was given another chance at the spot. However, LAFC somehow managed to drop the ball on that chance, as Vela skied the penalty into the stands.
LAFC pressed on, getting another chance in the 78th minute, as Jose Cifuentes lobbed a ball over the Atlanta defense, Bouanga timed his run to get behind the defense, let the ball bounce before firing a one-timer that actually did get past Guzan, but did not get past the framework, as the ball hit off the near post, then went off the stomach of Robinson, and while it did also go off the hand area and Robinson was inside the penalty area, Dickerson did not rule handball based on the grounds of initial contact.
“It’s been a few complicated matches so we are coming out with a lot of energy and pushing from behind as much as we can,” LAFC defender Jesus David Murillo said. “Tonight, is one of those nights where we tried but couldn’t score. Giving the energy and that push from the backline is always important and I am just happy to be back on the field.”
LAFC next starts a home-and-home series against the Houston Dynamo, starting this weekend in Houston.
