LAFC defeated Sporting KC 2-0 on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Park. The victory marks LAFC’s third consecutive victory, all over Western Conference opponents, and keeps the Black & Gold atop the MLS standings with 14-4-3 record and 45 points.
After a scoreless first half, Cristian Arango, assisted by Mahala Opoku, opened the scoring for LAFC in the 56th minute to put the Black & Gold ahead. Gareth Bale, who was subbed into the match in the 65th minute for his second-ever LAFC appearance, scored his first MLS goal in the 83rd minute giving LAFC the final 2-0 lead.
LAFC’s newest acquisition, Sebastian Mendez made his debut for LAFC, entering the match in the 86th minute.
The Black & Gold will be back home at Banc of California Stadium to host the Seattle Sounders next Friday, July 29. That game kicks off at 8 p.m. PT and will be broadcast nationally on FS1, Fox Deportes (ESP) and on radio on 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA app and 980 AM La Mera Mera (ESP).
NEWS & NOTES:
- Gareth Bale scored his first MLS goal in the 83rd minute, just 18 minutes after he entered the match.
- LAFC struck first in the match gaining the upper hand on the Cristian Arango goal scored in the 56th minute. LAFC remains undefeated with a perfect 11-0-0 record when scoring first.
- Saturday night’s win marks LAFC’s second consecutive road victory against a Western Conference opponent this season. The Club improves their road record to 6-3-1 (14-4-3 overall) claiming 19 of a possible 30 points when playing on the road.
- Cristian Arango, who scored in the 56th minute, continues to lead the club with 9 regular season goals.
- Including the two (2) goals scored in Saturday’s match, LAFC is now just five (5) goals away from 300 total all-time regular season goals.
- Maxime Crépeau earned his sixth clean sheet of the season.
- With his start in Saturday’s match, Carlos Vela has now played in 105 matches for the Black & Gold, surpassing Diego Rossi (104), making Vela second in LAFC’s all-time record for appearances behind Latif Blessing (133).
