LAFC vs Sporting Kansas City
MLS 2021 Season - Match 21
Friday, September 3, 2021
7:00 p.m. PT
TV: UniMás, TUDN, Twitter (ENG Audio)
RADIO: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN App (Audio), KFWB 980 AM
Though the Club record winless streak now sits at eight after last match, the Black & Gold showed flashes of their potential against crosstown-rival Galaxy last Saturday afternoon and left Banc of California Stadium with a point.
The local derby between the two sides never disappoints when it comes to action, and this last matchup produced drama once again. The Galaxy opened the scoring on a 20th minute goal by Dejan Joveljic, but in his first appearance at Banc of California Stadium after signing with LAFC last month, Cristian Arango scored his first league goal by converting a penalty kick to equalize in the 44th minute. LAFC’s Brian Rodriguez scored a pair of second half goals, his first two goals of the 2021 season, but the Galaxy were ultimately able to get level on another Joveljic score and then a Kevin Cabral strike as time was winding down.
“I'm very pleased with the determination of the team and we showed a great will, and I can say that based off that, we deserved the win,” said LAFC’s Cristian Arango. “But this is football, and sometimes the results don't go your way. Hopefully we can get a chance to celebrate more at home, and we look to make improvements so we can get to that point.”
Up next, the Black & Gold face a Western Conference foe in Sporting KC that served them with a 4-1 defeat just a month ago. Both sides will be missing key personnel as a result of the World Cup qualifying international break , with LAFC without Brian Rodríguez (Uruguay), Kim Moon-hwan (South Korea), Diego Palacios (Ecuador), José Cifuentes (Ecuador) and Sporting KC losing Daniel Salloi (Hungary) and Gadi Kinda (Israel).
With the recent departure of reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi after he moved to Fenerbahçe S.K., LAFC must find some special moments from players down the depth chart line.
This next stretch is make or break and the Club must make a positive statement in their fight for playoff contention.
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SPORTING KC IN-DEPTH
Sporting is a dangerous attacking side with wingers like Johnny Russell and forwards including Alan Pulido that have caused LAFC headaches in the past. Similarly to the Galaxy, SKC has a very adept crossing ability that the Club must stifle early. Defensively, they have a more than capable and organized backline.
INTERNATIONAL BREAK
With the Club fighting for every point as the season draws nearer to a close, it is an inopportune time to lose four of its most important players. However, Head Coach Bob Bradley has been adamant in his support of players playing for their respective national teams and ultimately, the Club can always find a chance playing its style of football.
“Yeah, for Kansas City, we're missing guys. We knew all along that this international break, guys will be missing,” added Bradley. “I've said it many times. I think we've had a lot of games where still anyone who has watched us from the start sees football and says, that's LAFC.”
LAFC WILL WIN IF
The Club can get massive performances from players who have enjoyed successful runs this season with the Vegas Lights at the USL level like Danny Musovski and Cal Jennings.
SPORTING KC CAN WIN IF
If they can get their fullbacks free to cross the ball to their dangerous attacking players in front of goal.
Inspired by Metropolis (1927).
