Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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Just one episode away from a nice milestone, Filly and Scarf chat about one of our better performances of the season, a 3-0 pummeling of RSL in Sandy, Utah. It's Episode 249, and on this episode, we break down the match, and touch on all the LAFC news and notes of the past week. 

LAFC started out hot, with an early goal, as Filly predicted. Mahala's 9th minute banger gave the Black and Gold a lead they would never relinquish. In the 15', however, some consternation for LAFC, as Kellyn goes down hurt and has to come off. Both LAFC's defense and Carlos Vela's ankle bent a bit over the next 30 minutes, but nothing too severe on either side. And in the 35', a rocket from Bouanga off the easiest assist Carlos will ever have doubles the lead and puts the boys up 2-0 at the half, just as Scarf predicted!

The second half was... boring. With LAFC content to possess and RSL doing little to counter or press for the first 15-20 minutes, the match slogged through syrup. A goal-saving clearance by Timothy Tillman on an Olimpico attempt was about all there was to talk about other than the insertion of Anderson Julio. But Julio would make his presence felt, literally and figuratively, colliding cleanly with John McCarthy in the 68'. McCarthy would stay down for a bit, holding his shoulder, but the stalwart keeper would remain in the match. 

LAFC closed things out late, as Denis earned a penalty and allowed Mateusz Bogusz to open his account with a boomer of a kick low and hard to the right and past Zac MacMath. LAFC would lead, 3-0, and, albeit slightly battered, would come away with a comfortable win amidst a dominating second half. 

We'll have to see how Kellyn, McCarthy, Hollingshead, and Carlos are feeling, as a match with lowly-but-finding form SKC looms in just 4 days, but for now, it's three tough points on the road! Episode 250 is also looming, but, for now, enjoy the win, and the new episode!

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The band "The Who" has a song called “The Kids Are Alright” and they certainly were. With Scarf being shipped off to Boston, this episode of Defenders of The Banc features a different set of hosts. LAFC utilized different players and so did DOTB, well at least one face wasn’t different. The DOTB crew recaps LAFC’s spirited win over USL opponent Monterey Bay FC in the US Open Cup. Hear your usual banter, and passionate recap of another LAFC victory but done with a different set of eyes and ears. We hope you enjoy Episode 248 as much as we enjoyed recording it. Oh, and Filly realized he was wrong about something at the end of this podcast. The Black and Gold DO await their opponent in the round of 16 draw on Thursday, May 11th at 11am pst

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It was bound to happen sometime. LAFC suffers its first loss of the 2023 MLS campaign, falling to San Jose at Levi's Stadium, 2-1, behind a brace from Cristian Espinoza. Hear all about it on Episode 247.

With Filly (and Panda) in the stands, LAFC traveled up to Santa Clara, CA to the home of Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers to face the San Jose Earthquakes. LAFC was behind the eight-ball early, as an 8' goal from Espinoza gave the home crowd something to froth over. LAFC would respond behind, who else, Denis Bouanga, who pounced on a rebound to slot his 8th of the year past the San Jose keeper. 

In what was a relatively tame effort from San Jose, a moment was all they needed, and they found it in the 81'. Denil Maldonado committed a clear foul on a streaking Jeremy Ebobisse in the box, gifting a PK to Espinoza and the lead to San Jose. LAFC couldn't find an equalizer, and just like that, the unbeaten run to start the year was over. LAFC falls, 2-1. 

Also on this episode, Filly is staying in the Cabin in the Woods, Scarf bemoans the coverage on Apple TV, and a player on San Jose does his best Christian Ramirez impression. Enjoy Episode 247!

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It's Episode 246, and this is a special one. This episode kicks off our "Getting to Know" series, where you can learn all about the history, roster, stadium, and more of the opponents we play that are outside the usual 28 other MLS squads. 

For our maiden "Getting to Know" voyage, take a listen and learn all about Monterey Bay FC, the USL Championship club that is LAFC's 2023 US Open Cup Round of 32 opponent!

On this episode, you'll learn everything about the thrilling 2-year (sort of) life of Monterey Bay FC and their home grounds of Cardinale Stadium, including the historical military ties to the area. We take a look at their Owner and Chairman, Ray Beshoff, and a rather decorated coaching staff of Frank Yallop, Ramiro Corrales, and Joe Cannon. And of course, we cover all the players to watch on the pitch, as we get set to face the likes of keeper Antony Siaha, centerback Hugh Roberts II, midfielder Sam Gleadle, and forwards Christian Volesky and Alex Dixon. 

Which 2018 LAFC inaugural team member is now playing for Monterey Bay FC? What do the now-defunct Fresno Foxes (Somos Zorros!) have to do with this USL Championship club? Which Los-Angeles based club has won the US Open Cup a record 5 times? And what the heck did Filly call the USOC? 

We hope you enjoy this very special episode and the first in what we hope is a long "Getting to Know" series! May the Fourth be with you all, especially the Black and Gold faithful!

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LAFC has made history. Again. With a 3-0 pummeling of the Union at BMO Stadium on Tuesday, May 2, the Black and Gold punch their ticket to their second CCL final in four years. On Episode 245, relive the historic win as Filly and Scarf take you through all of the heart-pounding moments! 

It took LAFC a mere 13 minutes to announce their presence with authority, as Timothy Tillman jumped on a rebound from a beautifully executed corner kick to give the home side a 1-0 lead. A very tense first half saw LAFC take that one goal lead into the locker room, but the fireworks had just begun. 

Just before the hour mark, Union defender Olivier Mbaizo earns his second yellow of the match, and the entire tenor of the night changed. LAFC went on the attack, and, gradually, the Union wore down. Mahala's hammer in the 82nd minute preceded another Bouanga banger in the 90th, and that was all she wrote for the Union. LAFC dominate the visitors, 3-0, to set a date with either Leon or Tigres in the CCL Final! 

Also on 245, LAFC is headed to beautiful Seaside, CA, Scarf buys a new license plate, Filly coins the word "ethersphere", and the MLS has a major scheduling problem on their hands! What are we talking about? Give us a listen! In the meantime, we're going to dig out our passports!

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It's Episode 244, and it's the first half of the rematch everyone has been waiting for: Leg 1 of the Semifinals of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League tilt between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union. 

Thanks to a pair of superb saves by John McCarthy, LAFC and Philly left the first half level. A Kellyn Acosta handball gifted a PK to the Union with just 4 minutes left in regulation, and Daniel Gazdag hammered it home to give the hosts a late lead. However, Kellyn would go from goat to hero, getting on the end of a Timothy Tillman cross even as the ball dipped behind him. Despite a touch from Andre Blake, the visitors leveled the match and broke the hearts of the Philly fans. 

LAFC heads home to BMO with all kinds of options available to them as they look to advance to the CCL Finals for the second time. Also on this episode, Filly offends the good people of Pigs Knuckle, Arkansas, rendering Scarf utterly speechless. Enjoy Episode 244!

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Here on Episode 243, the Black and Gold travel to Nash Vegas to take on Walker ZImmerman and Nashville SC. LAFC would start a heavily rotated lineup while leaving Timothy Tillman, Aaron Long, and Giorgio Chiellini off the roster completely, searching for a point in Music City. 

The home side would strike first, as LAFC struggled to clear the ball out of their own box. Reigning MVP Hany Muhktar pounced on it and slotted it past the defense for a first half lead. With Walker Zimmerman coming out after 55' due to groin tightness, the entire tenor of the match changed, and it was time for LAFC to do the pouncing.

Just 4 minutes after Walker's departure, Stipe Biuk's steal set Denis Bouanga free, and the star striker blasted it past a diving Joe Willis to level the match after about an hour. Despite both sides having ample opportunities over the course of 90' to find another, the match, perhaps fairly, ended in a draw. 

Also on the episode, the boys get off the rails. Several times. We also congratulate Dax McCarty and Noah Dollenmayer, on the very opposite ends of their respective professional journeys. Filly dislikes Ted Unkel. A lot. Scarf introduces Filly to Ted's wife. And video! We have video! Enjoy Episode 243!

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The Clasico Angelino, Round 18, and for the first time, LAFC defeats Carson at the DIGS. It may have taken too long, but finally, LAFC gets the monkey off their backs and takes three points from Carson, needing a brace and an assist from Carlos Vela to do it!

Despite the lack of home support from Carson, LAFC took the Galaxy's best shot. Going into the half level, 1-1, the Black and Gold responded well with two goals in 4 minutes. A Vela PK, earned by Cifu, and then a birthday goal for Ryan Hollingshead put LAFC in the catbird seat, 3-1. A late rally by Carson made it 3-2, but after thwarting several corners and enduring almost 9 minutes of stoppage, the whistle finally blew, both on the match and on the Galaxy's stranglehold of Carson. For the first time, LAFC Annexes Carson!

Also on the episode, we take a moment to remember Tommy Mark, to highlight a solid comeback from ACFC, and to check on our boys in LAFC2. Enjoy Episode 242, and enjoy these three points from Carson!

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Here on Episode 241, the boys recap both legs of their second round CCL matchup with the Whitecaps. Denis Bouanga, Carlos Vela, and the back line of LAFC absolutely have their way with Vancouver, both at home and north of the border.

In the first leg, Denis Bouanga's brace and a little dose of Mahala magic overcome the bad carpet of BC Place to sink Vancouver 3-0. Back at home, a brace from Vela with his wife and child pitchside was more than enough in another 3-0 effort, capping off over 180 minutes of sheer dominance. 

Also on this episode, technical difficulties. Filly and Scarf are doing their best to figure out some of the technological aspects of producing shows, and you get a first-hand view into some of the challenges! Scarf drives to and from Vancouver (but not while wearing a bucket hat), Filly threatens even more Hello Kitty action, and Paul deal with a pitch invader! Enjoy Episode 241, and let's Black Out Los Angeles as the Carson match approaches!

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LAFC welcomes FC Broccoli back to BMO for the first time since last year's historic Western Conference Final, and the boys break down another broccoli beatdown here on Episode 240!

Denis Bouanga is simply magical, becoming the 5th member of the Black and Gold to record a hat trick, Elden Jakupovic makes his debut and, along with Giorgio, some history, and Coach Steve gets to the 25-win mark fast!

Also on this episode, Filly makes his way to every nook and cranny of BMO while Hello Kitty says hi... again. Enjoy 240 as we prep to host Vancouver in the second leg of the CCL. 

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