Christian Ramirez made his debut for LAFC and almost got on the score sheet late in the second half.
By Ivan Yeo
It has certainly been a busy week for LAFC.
LAFC has certainly been logging some miles this week. First a Sunday evening game against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, a 2-1 loss, which was then followed by a US Open Cup semifinal match against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday in the sweltering Texas heat, which LAFC lost on penalties. LAFC ended the busy stretch with a home match, a Western Conference matchup against Sporting Kansas City in which the two teams were tied for third place going into the match.
Mindful of the busy stretch, particularly the last match, an elimination game that went 120 minutes plus penalties in hot weather, LAFC head coach overhauled his lineup for Saturday’s key match. Carlos Vela and Latif Blessing began the match on the beach while defenders Laurent Ciman and Walker Zimmerman didn’t even feature in the match. Kansas City took advantage, getting goals in both halves and sent LAFC to its first loss at Banc of California Stadium following its 2-1 win.
“Obviously, tough week,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said. “We had a lot to play for and at the end, we don’t come out with anything, so that part, we’ve got to deal with and move on from.”
Kansas City now sits alone in the third spot in the conference. Compounding matters for LAFC, they are now tied for fourth in the west with the LA Galaxy, with the Galaxy holding the fourth spot due to games in hand.
Kansas City jumped ahead in the 15th minute. Diego Rossi was dispossessed of the ball inside LAFC’s side of the field and Kansas City immediately sprinted for goal. Diego Rubio led the charge and played Gerso Fernandes into the penalty area and Fernandes took a touch before firing a shot that beat keeper Luis Lopez far post. Kansas City had a chance to double the lead in the 40th minute, but a Graham Zusi free kick hit off the crossbar.
Kansas City eventually got that second goal, but not without a little drama. It started in the 64th minute, as Daniel Salloi took a ball from Rubio and fired a laser right a goal, Lopez stopped the shot with both hands, but left a juicy rebound in the box, which Felipe Gutierrez tried to cash in on with a diving header attempt. LAFC center back Dejan Jakovic went for the challenge, got the ball, but also got Gutierrez in the forehead and referee Ismail Elfath blew the whistle and signaled for the penalty spot. However, before Kansas City could take the penalty, Elfath got the call for video review, and after a brief review, the call stood, and Ilie Sanchez converted the penalty to give Kansas City the two-goal cushion.
“This league is really tough and at the end of the day you just want to get your points wherever you can get them,” Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes said.
Looking to conserve bodies, especially with a Wednesday night match against Real Salt Lake followed by a Sunday evening match against Colorado, Bob Bradley switched things up for Saturday’s match. LAFC’s two first round picks, Joao Moutinho and Tristan Blackmon were given the start in the backline alongside another new acquisition, Danilo Silva, who joined the team on loan from Brazil’s Internacional. Marco Urena was in the starting 1, Andre Horta was given his first start and keeper Luis Lopez made his debut between the pipes. Also making his LAFC debut was striker Christian Ramirez, who was acquired from Minnesota United back on Monday.
“It felt good. I probably should have scored but I’m new to the team and jumping into it quickly,” Ramirez said of his first game. “The atmosphere was incredible. It was rocking the entire time, it made me feel really welcomed.”
Depsite the lineup overhaul, LAFC was able to create a few chances. The first chance came in the 25th minute, Aaron Kovar played a ball to Urena, who touched it to Benny Feilhaber and he dribbled into the penalty area, crossed to Urena, who was open just outside the six-yard box, but Urena’s touch was heavy, and the ball went into the stands. Vela had a chance shortly after coming on in the second half, but his curling shot from the left side just missed the far post. LAFC’s best chance however came in the 79th minute, Feilhaber lobbed a ball into the penalty area, Horta chipped a ball past keeper Tim Melia that trickled towards the far post, Ramirez, looking to
ensure a goal, dove towards the ball, but he missed, and adding insult to injury, the ball hit off the post and Vela’s rebound was deflected out for a corner kick.
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