LAFC2 extended its unbeaten run at home to 11 straight matches on Sunday night, scoring twice in the final seven minutes to earn a dramatic 4-3 victory over Tacoma Defiance at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif.
The win improved the Black & Gold to 9W-5L-8D on the season, including an 8W-1L-3D mark at home. The club has not lost on home ground in more than four months, since falling 1-0 to Portland Timbers2 on April 15.
Liam Lambert opened the scoring on Sunday night in the 10th minute, finishing from the center of the box off an assist from Tommy Mihalić. Tacoma answered through Mark Bronnik in the 25th minute, but Mihalić restored LAFC2’s advantage five minutes later, finishing a Nathan Mardaresco assist to send the Black & Gold into halftime leading 2-1.
Tacoma responded after the break, with Bronnik scoring his second of the night in the 53rd minute before Matthew Bell put the visitors ahead, 3-2, in the 68th. Marius Aiyenero entered the match one minute later and quickly changed it, heading home an Ernesto Rodriguez assist in the 84th minute to draw LAFC2 level, then striking again in the second minute of stoppage time, heading Lambert’s corner kick into the net for the game-winner.
LAFC2 finished with a 19-11 advantage in shots and put eight attempts on target. Benjamin Failla made three saves in goal.
The victory moved LAFC2 to 38 points on the season through 22 matches, keeping coach Fabian Sandoval's side in sixth place in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference standings. The Black & Gold currently sits in playoff position with six regular-season matches remaining, five points ahead of Tacoma and seven points ahead of San Jose Earthquakes II.
LAFC2 returns to action on Thursday, August 20, when the club hosts Sporting KC II at Titan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and the match will be available on MLSNEXTPro.com.
