It's Episode 358, and it's a get-right match for LAFC. Both number 9's, Nathan Ordaz and Jeremy Ebobisse, scored for LAFC while the defense stifles Houston, allowing 0 shots on target. 

Also on this episode, we welcome back Erik Duenas, Franco Escobar proves he's still one of our own, Olly takes a tour of Field Club, and Lafferty hates Star Wars! Enjoy Episode 358!

LAFC next takes the pitch at home, ready to welcome the Houston Dynamo! Yes, the same Dynamo who beat LAFC last month, 1-0, and now with a new winger, Ondrej Lingr, in the fold. Listen to our Score Predictions, Keys to the Match, and Players to Watch here!

It was supposed to be a bit easier than it was, but LAFC battled back from 2-1 down late to steal a point at home against St. Louis. It's Episode 357, and if not for Saint Denis, LAFC would be in a world of trouble. 

Twice down in the match, LAFC needed a dime from Ünder to get Denis his first, and then a bomb from Lloris to put Denis in position for his brace. The rest of the attack? If not for solid set pieces and corners by Denis, there wouldn't be much to talk about. The load is heavy, but, for now, Denis remains up to the task. 

Also on this episode, it's a late and brief return for Filly! Yay! Frankie Amaya makes his debut, LAFC celebrates the kids, and Ante Razov keeps in real in the presser. Enjoy 357!

St. Louis City SC heads to BMO looking to not only get their first win against the Black and Gold, but to score their first goal in what will be 5 tries! A special thanks to Matt and everyone at Flyover Footy, the STL City SC podcast of record, who provided us with some great additional content for this episode!

LAFC and Portland play to a 3-3 draw in a match that was just as frenetic and unpredictable as the entire week was for LAFC. Amid the backdrop of 'Dolo's announcement, LAFC responds on the road for a point.

LAFC saw themselves down, 2-0, after just over 40'. Backs to the wall, LAFC stepped up for the first time in 2025, rallying to level the match twice to earn the point. Denis Bouanga was a man on fire, scoring the eventual leveler off a PK, having two called back for offside, and a couple of other great opportunities stifled by James Pantemis. 

Also on this episode, Olivier Giroud produces a BANGER of a goal to open his MLS account, Lafferty tags in and then back out, and Scarf is still not "slim fit." Enjoy 365, and Happy Easter and Passover everyone!

LAFC heads up to the PNW to take on Phil Neville's Timbers. 

Scarf hops on for an impromptu chat about the massive news of the day: Head coach Steve Cherundolo will STEP DOWN after the 2025 season to head back to Germany.

Here on Episode 355, two streaks come to an end as, hopefully, one starts. It's a solo Scarf endeavor here on Defenders of the Banc, as he breaks down LAFC's 2-1 victory over the Earthquakes. 

A scoreless but entertaining first half gave way to fireworks in the second, with LAFC getting on the board just past the hour mark. The rebound from Denis Bouanga's shot found the foot of Sergi Palencia, who teed one up perfectly from the top of the box to score his first goal in 2,888 days! That's even before Defenders of the Banc started! Yikes!

About 20 minutes later, Denis Bouanga would end a streak of his own, getting his first MLS regular season goal since last October, giving LAFC a 2-0 lead, and it's a good thing he did! Cristian Espinoza went ahead and did Cristian Espinoza things for SJ, scoring in stoppage to give SJ life, but LAFC saw out the final minutes without issue for the 2-1 win.

Also on this episode, we compliment Olivier Giroud's effort, several times, while hoping that all goes well with Maxime Chanot. It's a relatively quick one, and definitely a fun one here on Episode 355. Enjoy!

LAFC gets set for a bit of a respite, with just 5 matches in their next 30 days, beginning with a home match against the Earthquakes. Scarf and Laff break down the Players to Watch, explore their Keys to the Match, and look into their crystal balls (giggity) for their Score Predictions!

It's Episode 354, and it's a collapse of epic proportions, as LAFC goes to Miami, takes a 2-0 aggregate lead WITH the tiebreaker, only to squander it all away, losing 3-1 to Messi and Inter Miami and crashing out of the 2025 CCC. Ugh.

Things looked great for the Black and Gold early, as captain Aaron Long reported for duty, scoring a chaotic 9' goal to give the boys an early lead, and the tiebreaker. That's about where the good news ends. 

Miami scores three unanswered, including two from Lionel Messi. Denis Bouanga missed or squandered a series of great chances, including one in second-half stoppage, and that proved to be the undoing for LAFC in the CCC. SEVEN, yes, seven big chances missed for LAFC. Miami wins the match, 3-1, and wins the aggregate, 3-2, to advance to the semis. 

Also on this match, Scarf is back from Costa Rica, Filly suffers no fools lightly when it comes to Dolo out, and Laff harkens back to his LAFC debut as part of This Date In LAFC History. Enjoy 354!