(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: It was MLS Match #12, and their 6th at BMO Stadium for the Black and Gold, who were battling for the Top spot in the MLS’ Western Conference at this point in the season. This match featured a second encounter with the Northern California-based team representing the great city of San José and are named the Earthquakes. Earlier this month, the Black & Gold suffered their only defeat of the season to them by the score of (2-1).
Here were the overall records for both teams. LAFC came in at (6-1-4 =25 pts). The Earthquakes arrived with a (5-4-3=18 pts) record good for 5th place.
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[PRE-MATCH]: The Match celebrated the Club’s recognition of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and there was certainly lots of outstanding activities that took place prior to, and before the start of the Match. On the pitch, the usuals were Ken Miknuk, his son Jason, and of course, “Olly” who performed her Falcon’s Flight. A special guest Falcon handler from the AAPI community also took part in the pre-match tradition. Match-wise, Manager, Steve Cherundolo changed his line-up a bit and quite notably rested his outstanding Team Leaders, #99/Dénis Bouanga and the Captain, #10/Carlos Vela from the starting XI.
[MATCH SUMMARY]
[REFEREE]: Ismail Elfath
[1st HALF]: LAFC took control of the opening kick-off and ran its offense well enough just to limber themselves up. A very early shot was taken as San Jose’s goalkeeper, #1/JT Marcinkowski, cleared it wide and far to the left. However, on the Black & Gold’s second possession, they played a spread front-court attack and at the (2:30) minute mark, #7/Stipe Biuk found the golden net with a hot grounder to the left of the Quaké’s keeper, making it (1-0) LAFC. The goal, since it came right in front of the El Grupo 3252 and all the great fans in the North End, exploded in thunderous applause right on time and in tune with the made goal. It was instantaneous joy, happiness, and lots of smoke as BMO Stadium demonstrably roared its approval at the quick score.
To view the Match’s video highlights, please click here.
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At minute (5:30) after a foul was called on the Earthquakes defender, a “Free kick” was awarded to the LAFC just outside and to the left of of their 18′ box, but the shot was blocked in front of the goal. A kind opportunity was missed.
As time moved on to the 30th minute, not much was happening offensively for both squads until, at minute (31:00) when the Quakes got off a long and lazy looking shot from the upper left side of their 18′ box. #3/Paul Marie’s shot was true, but it sailed high, just above the outstretched arms of goalie, #77/John McCarthy, and into the stands behind the netting. Both teams battled each other the full length of the pitch for much of the next phase leading up to the rest-period.
Stoppage time added was (7:00) minutes, and during that period, another free kick was awarded to LAFC from 25 yards out. Its trajectory took it to the left of goal, and unfortunately for the Black & Gold, the attempt failed to reach target. Another big save was logged by Marcinkowski.
It was good to see local product, #18/Eric Dueñas start and get plenty of valuable experience at the same time in his young and blossoming career.
[HALF-TIME SCORE]: LAFC 1 San José 0
[2nd HALF]: This period started as near repeat of the opening kick-off when LAFC, during a 3 versus 3 attack arose with a direct kick on goal, but it didn’t have enough speed or power to penetrate the netting. Black & Gold had no issues getting their long and enduring passes alive and in play for their teammates, but there wasn’t the healthy flank support needed to scramble for a clear shot on goal.
But lo and behold, at minute (52:00), it felt as though time just stood still on the pitch as the Black & Gold players looked on in great surprise, but in bigger disbelief that they were now equalized in the match at (1-1). Here’s what happened from our press box perspective. In what appeared as a random shot on goal by #21/Miguel Trauco, who hit it cleanly and with some vigor from the point of the attempt, the ball curved its way right and then hooked inbound to the far goal-line post, only to then just drop past the amazed and astonished goalkeeper, McCarthy. All of sudden it was a new match again.
LAFC tried to counter at (55:00) when a 3-0n-1 drive arose but the driver miscalculated his timing on the shot and had it blocked by a defender who positioned himself in front of their goalie.
LAFC subs entered at minute (63:00), #10/Carlos Vela in for Mahala Opoku. Then at (64:00), Dueñas out-Tim Tillman in, and finally, Mateus Bogusz out, and Dénis Bouanga in.
Two more shots on goal came at (66:00) but were blocked by Marcinkowski and then again at minute (72:00), when #20/José Cifuentes couldn’t capitalize on taking a clear shot on goal after he intercepted a pass at mid-pitch and took it towards the goal.
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But again, no luck in scoring a goal. LAFC kept up the offensive pressure, but couldn’t put it all together for the tie-breaking and potentially winning score. More attack waves kept coming but same results, no scores. At minute (83:00) the Earthquakes looked to be in decent attacking position from a corner kick and possibly move ahead with a goal, but the ball was cleared easily by LAFC. Stoppage time of (5:00) minutes was added to the (90:00) by the Referee.
Then in the extra added period of stoppage time, surprisingly, with the urging of the LAFC Coaching Staff, and after a minute or two delay in the match, a decision by Referee Elfat was made to review a “handball” infraction by the Quakes in the just inside the Box. After going to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team, he correctly allowed the review of a “handball” infraction to stand.
LAFC was finally presented with some great news for their match-long efforts. The Referee’s call, resulted in a much-expected Carlos Vela Penalty Kick that came at the (90:00 + 5:00) minute mark. The Super Star did not disappoint the crowd, nor all of his adoring fans. He calmly strolled up to the sphere with a slight stutter step, and then delivered the winning and patented left-footed torpedo-kick past the goalie for the Black & Gold’s 7th victory of the season.
[FULL-TIME SCORE]: LAFC 2 San Jose 1
[ATTENDANCE]: 20,030
[MAN OF THE MATCH]: #7/Stipe Biuk
[OF SIGNIFICANCE]: LAFC had lots of shots and good possession time, the ususal corner kicks, tackles, etc. but only 1 goal that came early in the match. Nonetheless, the Club stayed persistent with its goal of hammering away offensively on their opponent. They did so, in large part due to Head Coach Steve Cherundolo’s final phase match decision and it paid off when the Quakes were caught on VAR with the infraction that resulted in the match-winning kick by El Capitán himself, Carlos Vela. As the customary and celebratory victory gesture was captured on replay for the big BMO Stadium screen, he had done it again!! Won another match with his magical leg and gifted left-foot.
[NEXT UP]: Tuesday, 5/23, the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 vs. L.A. Galaxy at BMO Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:30 pm. Watch the match on the CBS Sports Golazo Network
