LAFC faced a hectic schedule recently, wrapping up their fourth match in 11 days. Although the series of matches started poorly, the team finished strong, showing promise ahead of the league’s Olympic break at the end of July.
Struggles in San Jose
The string of matches began with a trip to San Jose, a game many hoped would help LAFC overcome their well-documented road struggles against the then-worst team in the West. However, San Jose dominated LAFC, handing them their worst defeat since the snowstorm in Sandy. Despite maintaining possession for most of the match, LAFC failed to capitalize on it.
The Earthquakes needed just five minutes to score, and from there, they controlled the game, finishing with a 3-0 victory. They took 14 shots, converting all three that were on target. Unlike previous close matches, LAFC appeared lethargic and uninspired on the road.
U.S. Open Cup Struggles
These struggles carried over into their U.S. Open Cup opener against Las Vegas Lights. Fielding a rotated squad with reserves and young players, LAFC struggled to score in the first half, with Vegas effectively limiting their chances. Kei Kamara broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, and Cristian Olivera came off the bench to score twice, securing the win. While technically their first road win, LAFC still sought their first MLS road victory and aimed to improve their overall performance.
Are LAFC Back?
LAFC followed their Open Cup win with another strong home performance, shutting out the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0. Cristian Olivera, continuing his momentum from the US Open Cup, scored twice in the first half, giving LAFC an early lead. The team sealed the victory with a Bogusz goal, showcasing their consistent home dominance. However, the true test came in their subsequent away match.
Overcoming Road Struggles
LAFC faced St. Louis City SC, a team unbeaten in their last seven home games and last five overall. Despite their road struggles, LAFC came out with high energy and determination. Denis Bouanga led the team with two impressive goals, securing a 2-0 win and marking three consecutive unbeaten matches, with three wins out of four during this busy schedule.
Finding Rhythm and Consistency
The recent turnaround can be attributed to the consistent performances of Denis Bouanga and Hugo Lloris. Lloris, previously criticized for his poor save rate, has made significant improvements, with 10 saves and 15 recoveries in his last two outings. His crucial penalty save against St. Louis was particularly noteworthy.
Bouanga, on the other hand, has been instrumental in both scoring and facilitating goals. In the match against Vancouver, he provided three assists, showcasing his vision and chemistry with teammates. He followed this up with two goals in the road victory against St. Louis, demonstrating his skill and determination.
Looking Ahead
LAFC also announced the signing of striker Olivier Giroud, set to join in the summer after his season with AC Milan. This addition could further bolster the team’s performance.
Head Coach Steve Cherundolo noted the team’s improved focus over the past couple of weeks, emphasizing their quality and the reduction of mental lapses and individual errors. The key question now is whether this marks the start of a consistent turnaround or just a temporary improvement before potential setbacks.
Overall, LAFC’s recent performances indicate a promising trend, with the team showing resilience, improving focus, and capitalizing on their star players’ strengths. The upcoming matches will reveal if they can maintain this momentum and establish themselves as strong contenders.
