Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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Filly and Scarf give you the final One more Sleep episode of 2023. This is the big one. The MLS Cup Final Preview. Thank you for being with us all season long. We are ALL Defenders.

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It's Episode 286, and on this episode, LAFC finally brings home a trophy! It's not quite the one we were hoping for, but don't worry! We play for that in just 7 days! LAFC is on to the MLS Cup Final after defeating Houston in the Western Conference Final, 2-0!

A near miss by Carlos Vela and a stunning cross from Hector Herrera punctuated a very entertaining first 10 minutes or so, but then LAFC's defense went to work, stifling Houston for the remainder of the first half. Just before the halftime whistle, a perfect Carlos Vela corner finds the head of Giorgio Chiellini. His initial effort was saved, but playoff goal scorer turned hero Ryan Hollingshead was there to put it away to give LAFC the lead just before halftime. 

In the second half, Houston certainly had a lot of the ball, but nothing to show for it. LAFC's defense put up yet another goose egg, but not without the help of Ilie Sanchez taking a ball off our own goal line. A late own goal provided the margin as LAFC clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Final!

It's on to Columbus!

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Filly, Scarf and The Dr. Jonathan Reimer preview LAFC's upcoming match against the Houston Dynamo for the right to represent the Western Conf. in the MLS Finals.

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The Seattle Sounders: Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Raul Ruidiaz, Nico Lodiero, Nouhou, Yeimar, Joao Paulo, and Brian Schmetzer. Lumen Field. Turf. Ted Unkel. Chris Penso. The deck was stacked with reasons why LAFC shouldn't win. Why LAFC shouldn't advance to their third Western Conference Final in our 6-year history. Why the Black and Gold faithful would be rueing another missed opportunity. 

Well, somewhere along the way, nobody in Black and Gold got the memo as LAFC wins an absolute nail-biter, 1-0, on the road at Lumen Field, over the hated Sounders! LAFC will host the Western Final at BMO on Saturday, December 2nd!

Denis Bouanga did it yet again, scoring in the 30' for the match's only goal. From minute one through the end of the 8 minutes of second-half stoppage time, LAFC's defense, led by Maxime Crepeau between the pipes, Giorgio Chiellini at center back, and a huge play by Timothy Tillman, put on an absolute masterclass. What a match!

Also on this episode, former LAFC players make their mark on this year's MLS Cup and USL Playoffs, the young kids of LAFC2 and the Academy make their mark on a few youth national team camps, and Filly apparently tries hard NOT to make marks on his nice pants while watching the match. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and we hope you enjoy Episode 285. It's one of our favorite episodes of the year!

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Filly and Scarf are back after a 3 week hiatus to preview LAFC's upcoming playoff match versus the always dangerous Seattle Sounders.

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It may have taken 6 matches, but LAFC is finally done with the Vancouver portion of their 2023 schedule! LAFC dispatches Vancouver, 1-0, behind a Denis goal and another sparkling performance by Maxime Crepeau. It's on to the Western Conference Semis for the Black and Gold!

In a much more tense and nervy affair than we would have wanted, LAFC struck first behind a Denis Bouanga penalty goal. Mario Gonzalez earned the PK for LAFC after being sandwiched in the box by Tristan Blackmon, and Denis did the rest. His 36th goal this calendar year left him alone in 2nd place all-time in MLS, and now just 2 behind Vela's magical 2019 season total. 

The rest of the match saw a wonderful keeper battle between Maxime Crepeau and Yohei Takaoka, with Max needing 5 saves for the clean sheet. Murillo picked up a slight knock in the second half, Carlos Vela came on late, and LAFC got some help in the form of a takedown by referee Timothy Ford in the 1-0 win. Somewhere in Vancouver tonight, Vanni Sartini is still kicking things. 

Also on 284, we look back fondly on the one-year anniversary of winning MLS Cup, we bid farewell to the "Chicharito Era" in Carson, and we look ahead at potential playoff matchups. Filly rants, twice, about an Inter Miami friendly while Scarf looks ahead to the NWSL Final. Here's to a little break before Episode 285!

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As LAFC embarks on its title defense, it's a familiar foe, as Vancouver returns to BMO for the first match in a ridiculous best-of-three First Round series. It's playoff time, Defenders, and this is Episode 283 of Defenders of the Banc!

LAFC started out hot, as Ryan Hollingshead cleaned up the mess after a beautiful set piece to give LAFC the lead 18 minutes in. Vancouver would answer after an awful turnover by Murillo, as Andres Cubas, back from injury, finds Brian White for the equalizer. 

Just two minutes later, the Golden Boot winner of 2023, Denis Bouanga, takes a long pass down the line from Giorgio, shifts to his right, and slams home his first of the match to give the lead back to the good guys. But as Lee Corso says... "Not so fast!" Vancouver comes back yet again, this time with set-piece success. Ryan Gauld finds Sam Adekugbe, and his header levels it at 2 just before halftime. 

After the half, THIS was the LAFC club we had been waiting to see all match. Defensively sound, allowing zero shots on target in the second half, LAFC was free to let their offensive freak flag fly. Ryan cleans up more set-piece debris for a goal, Denis hammers one home off a Carlos Vela free kick, and Air Murillo takes off in the box for a fifth! LAFC dominates the second half en route to an easy 5-2 win!

Also on this episode, it's Shaft Brewer's birthday, Filly rants twice, and Scarf makes an outlandish pick for Eastern Conference champion! What did Filly rant about? Who did Scarf pick? You'll have to listen to Episode 283 to find out!

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Filly and The Scarf talk playoffs.

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Decision Day! One of the most fun days on the MLS calendar is here, and LAFC can finish anywhere from 2nd to 4th depending on their result. As Filly and Scarf have their eye on games featuring Houston, Seattle, and of course Carson, Denis Bouanga has his sights set on LAFC's third Golden Boot in 5 years. 

LAFC started out strong, peppering Takaoka with a few shots and creating solid chances. However, after Ryan Hollingshead goes to ground early on Richie Laryea, Vancouver earns a PK. Ryan Gauld came into the match 6-for-6. He left the first half 6-for-7, as Maxime Crepeau makes a massive save to keep it scoreless.

In the 34', it was inevitable. Denis Bouanga, from distance, off a great steal and pass from Ilie, makes it 20 on the year and all but wraps up the Golden Boot. LAFC leads 1-0. It would remain 1-0 until the 58', as Ali Ahmed takes a pass from thorn-in-our-side Richie Laryea and ties it. Despite a second PK for Gauld (this one hit the crossbar) and a point-blank chance for Mario Gonzalez, this one would end scoreless. 

LAFC now heads to the First Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, where they will play a best-of-three series against... these very same Vancouver Whitecaps. 

Also on 282, the boys welcome LAFC's newest owner, Shaun Neff, Filly makes up words and sings to new songs, and Scarf gets to have a mini 110 reunion with Vince La Rosa. Get ready for a LOT of Vancouver talk over the next few weeks, and enjoy Episode 282!

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Filly and Scarf preview LAFC's Decision Day visit to Vancouver, British Columbia as the Black and Gold square off against the Whitecaps. 

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