Carlos Vela scored the tying goal in LAFC’s preseason match against Atlanta United on Sunday afternoon.
By Ivan Yeo
With the weather in downtown Los Angeles going back and forth between rain, clouds and sun, with even the sight of a rainbow hovering over Banc of California Stadium on Sunday afternoon, perhaps it was fitting that LAFC’s play during its preseason match against Atlanta United would mirror that of the weather.
LAFC started its match against the reigning MLS champions very well, creating chances and getting behind the Atlanta defense on several occasions. Atlanta however turned the tables with two goals later in the half, but LAFC righted the ship in the second half and responded with two second half goals and perhaps it was fitting that the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
“There were a lot of good moments for us,” LAFC defender Walker Zimmerman said. “Even though its preseason, but we’re competitors, and in those moments, you have to have that switch in your head that says ‘ok, something did go to plan, we have to react and respond.’”
Trailing 2-0 heading into the second half, LAFC swung the momentum back in its favor. LAFC pulled a goal back when Adrien Perez brought a ball down with his right foot, absorbed contact from Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan, but used that to his advantage, as he raced to the ball and with Guzan behind him, raced for the goal, an Atlanta defender was back but it didn’t matter, as Perez buried the shot for LAFC’s first goal of the match. LAFC then got the equalizer, as Vela dribbled past the Atlanta defense, fired a left footed shot which Guzan let go, perhaps thinking it was going to go wide. Indeed the shot hit off the far post but into the back net.
“There were a little bit of moments with some push, a little bit more of a edge.” Bradley said of the team’s second half performance. “Not perfect, but at least now on that end, the good football things of the first half have a bit of a finishing element to it.”
LAFC had several chances inside the opening minutes of the match to get on the board first. Lee Nguyen threaded a forward pass to Latif Blessing, but the Atlanta defense beat him to the ball before he could pose a scoring threat. Andre Horta had a sightline from a dangerous spot in Atlanta’s half of the field, but his shot sailed over the framework, then moments later, LAFC had a free kick, Vela sent the set piece to Zimmerman, but his header also missed.
The momentum then swung to the visitors. Atlanta United had a free kick and Pity Martinez, Atlanta’s latest Designated Player signing, showed why Atlanta chose him to fill the shoes of the recently departed Miguel Almiron, as he sent the free kick over the LAFC wall and past keeper Tyler Miller near post. Later in the half, Julian Gressell took a ball into the LAFC box on the right side and slotted a shot past Miller far post and just like that, Atlanta was up by two goals.
“From 0-0 to 1-0, we were pretty good, but we lacked quality in the last part of the field.” Bradley said.
LAFC has two more preseason matches until its 2019 opener against Sporting Kansas City. Zimmerman however isn’t waiting that long to get into the feeling, having gone through January came with the USMNT. He is certainly anticipating LAFC’s start of the 2019 season on March 3, and he believes his teammates are getting into the mood as well.
“I’m ready to go,” Zimmerman said. “Just to have those game, to get them under you belt, it makes me even more excited to March 3, cause when that comes, we’ll all be ready.”
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