(East Los Angeles, CA) August 3, 2021 [From The Editor’s Desk]: What a week-day Wednesday night, 7.28.21, at the Banc of California Stadium it was!  “Summertime and the living is easy,” are the lyrics that could describe the environment that the Black & Gold were growing accustomed to, and, at the right time of the season. But, there are lessons to be learned in every match, and one of those was not losing, but at the same time, not winning it, that the team worked so hard for. Let’s take a look at what happened in this very unique encounter with the Minnesota United FC Loons. 

(Match Recap): {1stHalf} The match was going extremely well for the Black & Gold through the first half, as they went into their locker room at the break, with a (1-0) lead, thanks to Carlos Vela’s 5th goal of the season that came at the 40th minute. It was a great showing of his expert and skilled marksmanship in an open field “1-on-1” situational awareness. It marked his 4th consecutive match with a goal scored. Teammate, José Cífuentes was credited with the timely assist.

{2nd Half} The Loons, didn’t waste too much time in the period to pull themselves even with the Black & Gold at the 48 minute mark, when Emmanuel Reynoso got his left-footed shot off a fraction of a second in front of defender, Marco Farfan, and blasted it into the left-side of the netting past a diving Tomás Romero. Score was then tied at (1-1). Moving forward to the 77th minute, Tristan Blackmon then gave his team the “go-ahead” goal when, after the well-placed corner kick by Eduard Atuesta, he connected on a great “header” just past goalie, Tyler Miller, to give LAFC the lead back at (2-1). A victory and another (3) points were there for the taking, and the rejoicing, especially for the home fans led by Grupo 3252.

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However, as the scoreboard clock was winding down to an end in 5 minutes of stoppage time, another defensive mistake proved costly for the team as Minnesota, proved the age-old axiom in professional sports that—“No game or match is ever conceded, because on any given day or night, any team is capable of scoring a victory.”

First, let’s set the stage of the final 5 minutes of the match. Goalie Romero made a brilliant “save” at the 90 minute mark, when he solidly blocked a shot in front of the net. Now, let’s take a closer look at what happened during stoppage time in the 95th minute. The Loons, obviously remained in attack mode, attempting to tie the match, and their patience paid off when they managed a “3-on-3” assault in the middle of the field deep in LAFC territory. As luck would have it for Minnesota, Hassani Dotson, had the look and the range on a desperation shot that traveled through the left side of the net, just past Romero, for the tying goal at the 90 + 5 minute. Time expired just seconds after the goal. And thus the match ended in a disappointing (2-2) draw for the Black & Gold. The valued consolation that each team earned was a single point added onto their season’s record.

(FINAL SCORE): LAFC 2  Minnesota United  2 

To view the match highlights, click here.

(Next Up): Sporting Kansas City, currently in the Western Conference’s 2nd place with a record of (W9-L4-T3) = 30 points, on Wednesday, August 4th, @ 7:30 PM.

(How To Watch): MLS LIVE on ESPN+, Bally Sports SoCal, Estrella TV, Bally Sports KC Plus, Bally Sports Midwest Plus. (How To Listen): 1110 AM ESPN, ESPN App; Spanish/980 AM La Mera Mera