Photos courtesy of LAFC.
Carlos Vela was back in peak form for LAFC against FC Dallas on Wednesday night.
It was vintage Carlos Vela on Wednesday night.
After two months of rehabbing injuries and as a result trying to get himself back into top shape, Vela on Wednesday night finally displayed the form that made him the league’s MVP just two seasons ago. Vela opened things for LAFC with a goal just five minutes into the match against visiting FC Dallas, then provided the assist on Latiff Blessing’s second half goal, and LAFC returned to its winning ways with a 2-0 win over Dallas at Banc of California Stadium.
“We got back a lot of good feelings from the past,” Vela said. “I am feeling much better from the injury. I am starting to feel like I am back. This is the Carlos my team expects. I have to work hard to reach a higher level.”
LAFC is certainly hoping Vela’s performance against Dallas is the start of some big things, as the three points earned on Wednesday night leaves them tied with the Houston Dynamo for seventh place in the Western Conference.
“We’re still improving,” Vela said. “We win one game but we still have to gain rhythm and win a few games in a row. After that we can say that we are back on our level. We have much more to improve so we have to keep working.
Vela certainly came to play inside the first 12 minutes of the match. Kim Moon Hwan played a ball to Latiff Blessing, who was marked by Jose Martinez, but Blessing calmly evaded the pressure and played a ball to Vela, who briefly held the ball before finding Eduard Atuesta for another short pass. Atuesta took a touch before finding Vela inside the penalty area, Vela’s touch was perfect, as it enabled him to shake free of Martinez’s marking and the end result was a left-footed volley that beat keeper Jimmy Maurer far post. Vela came within an inch of a brace just inside the first 15 minutes of match, as LAFC had a free kick in the 12th minute from about 25 yards out, Vela sent the set piece for the near post, only to see the shot hit off the post.
Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Latiff Blessing’s 68th minute goal gave LAFC the cushion it needed to seal the three points.
Vela played the role of helper for LAFC’s second goal in the 68th minute, though it took a little while for LAFC to be allowed to celebrate the goal. Vela played the cross into the box, and Blessing snuck past the Dallas defense to tap in the open net shot. The goal however was initially waved off due to Blessing being called for being in an offside position when he received the pass. However, soon after that was referee Rosendo Mendoza already on the call with VAR official Tim Ford, and Mendoza gave the signal for video review, and the replay confirmed that Blessing was still onside when Vela played the initial pass.
“Yes, that is the most dynamic he [Carlos Vela] has been for a while now,” LAFC head coach bob Bradley said of Vela’s performance. “You could see him trying to go by people. He was a real threat on a number of occasions, and so those are the things that obviously separate him when he’s at his best.”
Playing its second game of the week, and with a massive road match against second-place Sporting Kansas City looming just three days from now, Bradley tinkered with the lineup for Wednesday’s match. Out of the lineup for the match were regulars such as keeper Pablo Sisniega and forward Corey Baird, and getting the start was Tomas Romero between the pipes and Cal Jennings in place of Baird. Most notable however was the start given to Kim Moon-Hwan at the right back position, and his performance earned him Man of the Match honors from the 3252 Supporters Section.
“We saw some really good things, especially in the second half when we did push him a little higher and played with three in the back,” Bradley said of Kim’s performance. “His quickness, his ability to cut out some plays, he’s a good passer, so tonight was a good 90 minutes and I think everybody was very happy for him.”
Equally as important as Kim’s performance was the play of Romero between the pipes. His play combined with that of the backline was crucial in LAFC’s first shutout win since opening week.
“The defenders made it super easy for me today,” Romero said. “Obviously, I was a little nervous coming into the game, but I just focused on doing what I can do, focused on playing with my feet, focused on crosses, you know, saving shots, and I knew if I just stayed focused for 90 minutes it would work out in the end.”
Wednesday’s win and the way it happened, with LAFC dominating on offense and its top player returning to form, will certainly give LAFC some momentum heading into the Kansas City match. Vela certainly knows LAFC will have to continue to be on its A-game to get a result at Children’s Mercy Park.
“We still have to build confidence to play better Saturday and I hope we can take another three points,” said Vela.
