Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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The King has returned! For the first time since 2023, Carlos Vela is back on the pitch for LAFC! For the 10th time in two years, LAFC takes on Vancouver. One of those things we love, the other not so much, but we talk about it all on Episode 335!

LAFC, as they have done for much of the last two seasons, dominated a lesser-talented Vancouver side over the course of 90+ minutes. A penalty goal by Denis after great combination play from Bogusz and Giroud set the tone for the first half, putting LAFC up 1-0. Just before the hour mark, excellent build-up and ball movement allowed Cristian Olivera to double the leads. LAFC looked to be cruising when, in the 86', Carlos Vela jogged over to the bench after warming up in front of the North End, signaling the return of El Rey!

Neither Mateusz Bogusz hitting the woodwork twice nor a late, stoppage-time goal for Vancouver could damper the mood at BMO. Our #10 was back, LAFC takes the first playoff match of 2024, and now... we play Vancouver again. Oy.

Also on the pod, CWM Woodwork is a thing. Not really sure how to explain it, but you'll understand after listening to Episode 335. Enjoy! 

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This One More Sleep does it's best werewolf impression, morphing into a Playoff Preview MegaPod! Erik Hultstrom and Luke Klipp join Scarf to talk a bit about the regular season, our upcoming matchup with Vancouver, and even a bit of the craziness happening in Chavez Ravine!

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On Episode 334, Filly and Scarf recap an absolutely unbelievable Decision Day, both at BMO and in Houston! The subs save the day in LA while a former Carsonite sinks their ship at the death! It was a roller coaster of emotions for about 15 minutes, but LAFC comes out on top in the West as we get set to kick off the Western Conference Playoffs!

Things looked bleak for the first 45' for LAFC, as an early goal by Jackson Yueill, off an ill-advised pass from Eddie Segura, gave the road side a lead and meant that LAFC would need at least three on the day. Another offside goal from Giroud and an anemic first half attack (0 shots on target) sent the club into the halftime break down a goal. But in Houston, an Ezequiel Ponce goal just before the halftime whistle saw the home side take the lead, and left everything to play for at BMO!

LAFC opened the second half a little better, but it was just after the hour mark that LAFC truly woke up. A Denis Bouanga banger off a great Tillman cross leveled things at home, and the reinforcements came on soon after. Kei Kamara, Eduard Atuesta, and, later, Marlon, would all factor in the win. 

Atuesta's first few touches were magic, as he took a great 1-2 ball from Kei and rocketed it home past Daniel to give LAFC the 2-1 lead! With Aaron Long cramping in the 80', the Carlos Vela homecoming was put on hold, as LAFC used their 5th sub to bring on Marlon for Long. Serendipity doesn't always announce itself right away, but it would take Marlon just 10 minutes to become an LAFC hero! 

Off a great Atuesta free kick, Marlon, running in the same channel as Chanot, got his head to the cross and flicked it past Daniel and into the back of the net to give LAFC the 2-goal advantage it needed to move into 1st in the West! With our result secure, everyone turned to their phones, and turned into Dynamo fans! 

Alas, hopes were dashed in the 6th minute of stoppage time, as a Puig penalty call turned into a Pec rocket, and the score was leveled at 1. With the top spot seemingly gone, LAFC had to hope for a miracle, and we got one in the form of Burbank's own Daniel Steres! An 11th-minute stoppage-time header gave Houston an improbable 2-1 win, and handed LAFC the top spot in the West. It was an unreal scene at BMO!

Also on this episode, we remember jewelry made from a plane and wish our LAFC2 boys well in their first playoff match. What a night at BMO! Now, as Ilie said, "the best is yet to come!" 

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We made it to Decision Day and to the final regular season episode of One More Sleep. Filly and Scarf preview LAFC's final home game of the season against the Earthquakes. 

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It's Episode 333, the number of the beast as far as Vancouver is concerned. LAFC travels up to the PNW and steals 3 points from a much-deserving Whitecaps side! Matty gets an early one, Ilie seals it late, and the boys still have Western Conference crown hopes as we meet Decision Day head-on. 

It took all of 32 seconds for LAFC to get on the board, the second-fastest goal in club history. David Martinez supplies a perfect pass to a streaking Mateusz Bogusz, whose deft chip eludes both defender and keeper and puts the good guys up 1. After the break, a Sergi Palencia yellow and a Sergi Palencia own goal in short succession put the West in peril, and Vancouver had plenty of other bites at the cherry. 

Timothy Tillman makes the save of the match, denying Damir Kreilach on the line, and LAFC headed to stoppage needed a miracle. Enter Ilie Sanchez, with some massive help from The Wunderkid, Nathan Ordaz! Nate splits 2 defenders with a sick move, finds Kei Kamara, who quickly slots it to a wide-open Ilie. Just like Aaron Long last match, the unlikely hero Ilie plays the role of savior, and LAFC is up 2-1. Thank goodness the soccer gods blinked for a second, as Brian White's header at the death struck all post and no netting, and it's LAFC with everything to play for on Decision Day.

Also on this episode, Scarf does all the math and permutations for Decision Day, Filly enjoys Dodger Stadium for Game 2, and the boys wish both a former and current player happy birthday! Enjoy 333!

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Its the 20th meeting all time between LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Filly and Scarf preview LAFC's trip back to BC Place. 

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Looking to continue the end of season success, LAFC heads to "Blue Hell" to take on Sporting KC. The Black and Gold would score early, threaten often, and keep another sheet clean, still in the hunt for the Western Conference crown. It's all here on Episode 332!

Denis Bouanga earned his 11th shot a goal from the penalty spot early in the match. This one, however, would be his first saved attempt, as Tim Melia stayed put enough to both save Denis' penalty and watch the rebound whiz past him into the back of the goal, courtesy of David Martinez! In stoppage, Kike Olivera got on the end of a beautiful pass from Bouanga to double the lead heading into the half. 

After halftime, LAFC kept the pedal down, and the effort would pay off in the form of a beautiful, top bins goal by... Aaron Long? Yes! Aaron Long, in his 73rd appearance for LAFC, would finally get on the score sheet! The lesson learned? Don't leave Aaron long open! Hugo would do everything needed to keep the clean sheet, saving 4 shots but facing little danger, en route to his LAFC-record 11th shutout of the season. 

Also on this episode, Filly gets a quarterback while the Tyler Miller count rises by a few. Enjoy 332, and a much needed break until we head to Vancouver!

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LAFC heads on the road in hopes of spoiling SKC's home finale. 

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Here on Episode 331, a quick one, we recap a fairly boring three points earned at home at the expense of St. Louis City SC. Denis scored, Hugo keeps it clean, and we head to Kansas City!

LAFC had several opportunities throughout the first half, failing to capitalize on quality chance after quality chance. No matter, as Denis Bouanga went 1v3 and found enough space to slot one past backup keeper Ben Lundt. 

The second half was almost as equally frustrating offensively, but the defense sparkled. Zero shots on target allowed, Hugo's 11th clean sheet of the season, and 3 mich needed points in the Western Conference race. 

Also on this episode, we talk Tyler Miller, Wayne's World, and our beloved Metropolitans! Enjoy 331!

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Filly and Scarf preview LAFC's midweek match vs the boys from the Lou, St Louis SC

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