Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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In what was a homecoming of two of our beloved former sons of the Black and Gold, LAFC was anything but hospitable in taking out RSL, 4-0, to move on to the Round of 8 of the 2023 Leagues Cup.

LAFC dodged a few bullets from RSL in the first half before unloading a barrage on the visitors in the second half. Mati sprung Denis en route to our first goal, and just five minutes later, Justen Glad decided to bring us all a party favor! He absolutely gets his pocket picked by Denis, who easily slots home the short-range goal. 

LAFC cemented the win with a goal by Nathan Ordaz and one from the debutant, Filip Krastev, to seal the 4-0 win! Get ready for a date with Monterrey at the Rose Bowl on Friday. 

Lastly, I (Scarf), just want you all to know how grateful I am for all your love and support over the past month. This one is for you, dad.

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On this episode of Defenders, we experience a lot of firsts! First Leagues Cup match, first pitch pigeon, first pod with Panda, and  we got our first Touchdown in our 7-1 sin against FC Juarez. But more importantly than that we send out many thoughts and prayers for Papa Scarf and employ the millions…..to join us in helping rally behind JR “The Scarf” and his family during this difficult time. We love you buddy! 

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As the All-Star Break looms, LAFC heads north to take on the Loons. Playing their 33rd match of the season (that's a record), the Black and Gold's affair with Minnesota is our focal point for Episode 267. 

The first half belonged to Emmanuel Reynoso, Minnesota's talented talisman. Despite plenty of opportunities, the home side was still scoreless after 20 minutes. Carlos Vela's beautiful run, freed by a great ball from Stipe Biuk, put LAFC up for a whole three minutes before exquisite passing from Minnesota found Reynoso for the equalizer. From there on out, other than a couple of solid saves from J-Mac and near misses by Hlongwane and Hollingshead, the second half played out without too much drama. Both sides split a point as we head to the break. 

Also on this episode, Mahala opens his account in Montreal, LAFC receives money from FIFA, and the GOAT is pink. Yes, silly season is about to be upon us, as Lionel Messi joins the ranks of the 29th place club in MLS, Inter Miami. Here. We. Go.

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LAFC headed back to BMO to take on St. Louis City SC for the very first time in club history. Would LAFC continue their dominance over expansion clubs, or would the top club in the West come into our house and take all three points?

The first half happened. We promise. In order for the second half to be played, there has to be one half before, and there was. However, very, very little happened. 

About an hour in, Stipe Biuk came on to replace Mati Bogusz, and that's where the fireworks began! After several good opportunities from Biuk, Jose Cifuentes dropped a perfect dime to Carlos Vela and that sweet, goal-scoring left foot of his put the home side up 1-0. The goal would prove historic, as that would be LAFC's 350th MLS regular season goal in just 180 games, eclipsing the record held by DC United with 4 matches to spare. Ten minutes later, a perfect buildup involving no less than a half-dozen LAFC players culminates with Stipe's third goal of the year. As if the rout wasn't already on, Nathan Ordaz found a streaking Cifu for the third goal of the match, and for the first time in a while, it's FREE Baskin Robbins for all!

Also on this episode, Filly impersonates Isaac Hayes, Scarf falls in love with a scarf, and Olly goes on flyabout. Happy birthday, Chiqui Palacios, and we hope you enjoy Episode 266!

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For just about everywhere else in the US, July 8 is smack in the middle of summer. At BMO Stadium, however, July 8 marked the return of Fall, as "Air Senegal" himself, Mamadou Fall, made his return to the Black and Gold after a loan spell in Spain with Villareal. Needing depth at CB, Steve thrust him into the XI for our match against San Jose. 

Both superstars, Cristian Espinoza and Denis Bouanga, traded first-half goals en route to a 1-1 scoreline after 45, but the fireworks were just beginning. With over 30 minutes left, SJ keeper Daniel was assessed a straight red for a handball well outside of the box, giving LAFC an advantage for the remainder of the match. But despite our (best?) attempts, we couldn't muster much against their second keeper, J.T. Marcinkowski, and LAFC is forced to swallow a bitter point at home. 

Also on this episode, we get stats with both Filly and Scarf, we wish happy birthday to a founding member of our club, and we keep one eye on Sandy, Utah and the beginning of the Chicho Era at RSL. Enjoy Episode 265, and we will see you in just a few days for the tussle against St. Louis!

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Here on an impromptu but necessary Episode 264, we celebrate the Black and Gold tenure of Kwadwo "Mahala" Opoku. The striker from Accra, Ghana with an electric smile gave LAFC four fantastic seasons, appearing in 79 total matches, scoring some absolute bangers, and making lifelong fans of us all.

We break down Mahala by the numbers, show some of his game-winning goals, chat with many of you about his impact, and, as best we can, also try to explain what in the heck GAM is. 

Mahala, we appreciate EVERYTHING you gave us wearing the LAFC crest, and we wish you all the best as you join Bryce Duke and the boys over in Montreal. 

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It was a banner day for MLS, putting two of the marquee franchises in the league on display in front of over 82,000 in Pasadena. It was a banner day for Carson, as they dredged up the ghosts of seasons past to revel in what once was at their old stomping grounds. It was a banner day for The 3252, as their performance amongst an MLS-record attendance crowd was something every single supporter of LAFC should be proud of. 

But as you will hear here on Episode 263, unfortunately, it was not a banner day for the Black and Gold on the pitch, as we fell to Carson, 2-1, behind goals from Boyd and Puig. 

Also on this episode, we learn a little about Twizzle, we pop our Rose Bowl Press Box cherry, and we (likely) say goodbye to Jose Cifuentes. The transfer window is open, everyone! For the next two weeks, it's silly season in the rumor mill, and we are all about it. But don't worry, we've also got three more matches in the span of just 11 days before our much-needed time off before Leagues Cup. Enjoy Episode 263!

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Episode 262 - No Ferreira, No Problem As Dallas Wins 2-0

LAFC looked to get back on the right side of things as they head to take on a Dallas club decimated by injuries and international duty. After a perplexing loss to Vancouver, this couldn't have been a better time to take on Dallas... right?

Wrong. Despite missing Jesus Ferreira, Paul Arriola, Obrian, and others, Dallas took over the second half (after Chiellini and Tillman came off), kept LAFC at bay, and walked out of the sweltering humidity of Frisco with a 2-0 win. 

7 losses in 10 matches is the prelude to Carson at the Rose Bowl. LAFC falls to second in the Western Conference as questions must get louder about a true 9. The transfer window looms, and we need bodies and rest. Also on this episode, it's Scarf who rants against the antiquated MLS as we get set to play 33 matches by July 15. Yes, that's a record by a WIDE margin. 

We also take time to remember Chris "Spanto" Printup, founder of Born x Raised and beloved Angelino. Rest well, Spanto. 

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On Episode 261, we break down the breakdowns in LAFC's upset loss at home to the Whitecaps, 3-2.  For the second time this season, a club has come into BMO and wrestled away their first road win of the season. This trend needs to stop.

Vancouver struck early, as a third-minute goal off a set piece put the bad guys up 1-0. They would double their lead about 20 minutes later off a Brian White header, and it was clear the defending champs were reeling They needed something to get them off the mat, and right before halftime, they would find that something!

Denis Bouanga pounces on a rebound to net his 11th of the MLS campaign, and the lead was halved. Unfortunately, the Whitecaps would score a third about 20 minutes into the second half, putting the home side down a pair. A Carlos Vela goal, off a beautiful steal and pass by Mati, would again cut the deficit to one, but it was too little, too late for the Black and Gold. Vancouver would take all three points, 3-2. 

Also on this episode, we are reminded that love is love as our friends Taylor and Max tie the knot on Christmas Tree Lane. We get back to our "Wait, What?!" moment, we get set to potentially welcome back a back-line weapon, and we can breathe easier as we watch Olly soar. Enjoy Episode 261!

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Back at BMO, a weary but dangerous LAFC squad looks for their second win in a row as the Seattle Sounders make their way down the coast. It's Episode 260, and on this one, you better be in your seats early!

Just 54 seconds into the match, Mateusz Bogusz sneaks one past Stefan Frei from distance, and, surprisingly, that would be all LAFC would need in this midweek match with Seattle. LAFC, up 1-0 early, would make it stick, behind a couple of saves from John, a masterclass from Giorgio and the rest of the back line, and the best overall effort we have seen from Danny Crisostomo. LAFC take three points and the spot at the top of the Western Conference. 

Also on this episode, Filly is tired, Scarf rants on Twitter bums, and our good buddy Jonathan Reimer joins us on the fourth floor! Don't worry, we'll do this again in just about 72 hours, but for now, enjoy Episode 260!

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