Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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It's Episode 219, and the Supporters Shield is home! Yes, we played Nashville, and sure, we lost, but that result was but an afterthought to the all-day celebration at the Banc as the Shield came home.

LAFC actually played a great game, as they generated 29 shots and 14 on target, but Joe Willis had ideas to spoil our celebration for at least a few hours. Save after save by Willis and a back post, set-piece header by Teal Bunbury allowed Nashville to come away with a 1-0 win and a good view of the party that resumed right after as the Shield took center pitch. Thoughts of Mo, the success of 2019, and a world pre-pandemic couldn't help but flood our minds as the Shield was brought to center pitch by KC and Sujin. 

LAFC now has 11 days off (at least) as we wait for the winner of Carson vs. Nashville. You'll hear all about that on Episode 220, but until then, enjoy 219, and enjoy the celebration!

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It's Episode 218, and it's a celebration!!! Thanks to Denis Bouanga, Carlos Vela, and our fearless leader, Steve Cherundolo, the Supporters Shield is coming back to the Banc! 

All LAFC had to do was head to a house of horrors, Providence Park, and win for the first time in 12 matches on turf and beat Portland for the first time in 7 matches. 

The first half was everything you've come to know and love from an LAFC/Timbers tilt: physical, frustrating, and plenty of quality crosses by Portland. A scoreless first half gave way to a much more frenetic second. Vintage Carlos Vela would make an appearance, scoring an incredible left-footed strike from the top of the box to put LAFC up one. A header from Asprilla off another Portland cross in the 81st minute would be the equalizer, and the Shield hopes looked like they might have to wait until Decision Day. Until...

It looked like LAFC would have a sure penalty kick, especially after Ismail Elfath took a day and a half with VAR. Alas, it was merely ruled a corner, and LAFC would need some stoppage time magic. Enter Denis Bouanga. #99 knifed his way into the box, fought through two defenders, and somehow still had enough on it to slot it past Ivacic for a 95th minute stoppage time, Supporters Shield winner! Bouanga's first goal in Black and Gold is a history maker!

Next week, LAFC closes out their 2022 regular season with a party at the Banc, which will also include a match against Walker Zimmerman and Nashville. The Shield is coming back home, and you can join the party with us on Episode 219! 

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Revenge is a dish best served at the Banc, and LAFC was able to enact some on Houston with a 3-1 beating behind a pair of PK’s from the Captain. The three points were huge, as LAFC now wrestles back control of their Supporters Shield destiny from Philadelphia. 

 A Corey Baird 25th minute goal was sandwiched between two Carlos Vela penalty kick finishes, and LAFC headed to the half up 2-1. Our secret weapon, Ryan Hollingshead, added to his defender-leading goal tally just after halftime, and that was all LAFC would need. 3-1 to the good guys!

 Also on Episode 217, a glass of Scotch accompanies a rant or two by Filly, Scarf sells a bunch of LAFC cards, and the Black and Gold are, again, Champions League bound! We’ll take a short international break along with MLS, and you should do the same until 218!

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Playing their second match in just four days’ time, and doing so minus ANY of our regular fullbacks, LAFC took a point from the Loons as one of our newest and shiniest weapons, Cristian Tello, made his Black and Gold debut. 

No Franco Escobar. No Ryan Hollingshead. No Diego Palacios. Dolo Ball would look very different in the Twin Cities, as Steve patched together LAFC’s 29th different lineup in 31 matches. That lineup held the Loons scoreless for almost the entire half, until Emmanuel Reynoso’s fantastic corner found Brent Kallman for a header before halftime. LAFC entered the half with, as they tweeted out, “work to do”. 

Work they did, as the second half started out all LAFC. Solid opportunities and smart subs by Steve, including a debut for Cristian Tello in the 62’, would lead to a lightning bolt from the left foot of God! After 7 games, Captain Carlos put his name back in the scorer’s column with a strike from distance, for what would prove to be the equalizer. Despite the roster upheaval and about a dozen solid set pieces by Emmanuel Reynoso, LAFC escape with a point. 

Also on Episode 216, the boys talk jersey sales, unlimited tacos, and uniform numbers. Maxime does a Tyler Miller impression, Kellyn Acosta and Cristian Tello make the best saves of the night, and, for at least a day, we are all RSL fans. Thanks for listening, and come back this weekend for Episode 217!

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LAFC heads to Texas for the final time in 2022, and all we can say here on Episode 215 is good riddance! Ryan Hollingshead sees red during the match while LAFC and their supporters are left seeing red after. LAFC loses a tough one the hard way, 2-1, behind a brace from Jesus Ferreira and an awful day for Jon Freemon. 

Just eight minutes in, LAFC would already be dealt a body blow, as Chiqui was shown a very questionable yellow, meaning he will miss our next match, a tilt in just three days against Minnesota. Compounding LAFC's issues, just 5 minutes later Ryan Hollingshead would be booked a straight red after VAR allowed Jon Freemon, head referee, to amend his previous bad call of a yellow to an even worse one. LAFC would play down a man for the remainder of the match. 

Right before the halftime whistle, Maxime Crepeau would make a Save of the Week candidate on Edwin Cerrillo, and just seconds before the whistle, Giorgio Chiellini would find Chicho over the top, and Arango chips the keeper to improbably put LAFC up 1-0 heading into the locker room. 

LAFC dodged a bullet early in the second half and looked to hold on, which they did for 77 full minutes. In the 78', after a lack of focus on a quick restart, Paul Arriola finds Jesus Ferreira to equalize. Just three minutes later, Ferreira would bury a free kick, and just like that, all of LAFC's incredible defensive efforts down a man went for naught. Ugh. Another frustrating LAFC loss, and this one may have topped them all. 

Also on this episode, we are just plain upset. Filly gets bleeped, Scarf gets a stadium PA job, and the boys chat about diapers, but not in a gross way. This one was a rough pill to swallow, but enjoy Episode 215. 

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LAFC gets back to the Banc, and back to their winning ways to begin Kick Childhood Cancer Month. Maxime Crepeau blanks RSL, 2-0, and helps LAFC to 60 points on the season while wrestling back control in the race for the Shield.

Ryan Hollingshead rips a banger just after halftime, Captain Carlos finds Chicho in the 68th  minute, and Maxime Crepeau does all the heavy lifting with 5 big saves as LAFC ends their 3-game losing streak. Bouanga gets a surprise start while Chiellini is great again. 

Also on this episode, the boys are up really late, again. Oy. It's Episode 214, complete with improvised singing, Filly possibly making up words, and Scarf being asked to take his top off. Don't worry, it stayed on. Enjoy Episode 2014!

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Here on Episode 213, unfortunately, the losing streak continues, as LAFC completes their Texas two-step with a 2-1 loss to Houston, falling into a tie for the Supporters Shield with just 6 matches remaining.

The Black and Gold went down early after a handball by Ilie gave Sebastian Ferreira a chance from the spot, but Chicho responded right away to level it after 20’. Despite LAFC having the lion’s share of the opportunities, Griffin Dorsey’s effort in the 75th from just inside the 18 gave Houston all 3 points at home. 

Steve Clark had a great night in net for Houston, thwarting several attempts by Gareth Bale. For LAFC, it was a debut for Denis Bouanga, and possible injuries to Franco Escobar and Eddie Segura. LAFC will have to lick their wounds quickly, as RSL heads to the Banc on Sunday, September 4. 

Also on 213, the playoff schedule is announced, Denis’ number decision leaves us feeling all kinds of ways, Filly rage-eats Popeye’s, and yes, BRIAN’S SONG Part 2 finally sees the light of day!

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This matchup had all the makings. Number 1 vs. Number 2 in the West. The two highest scoring clubs in the league. A club looking to strengthen its grip on the shield vs. a club on the rise. Black and Gold vs. Verde and Black. But in the end, the team that was #1 played like number two, and Austin nips further at LAFC's heels after a 4-1 drubbing. Let's get through this together, Black and Gold faithful, here on Episode 212. 

With Filly in LA and Scarf in Colorado, LAFC looked to avenge their only home loss of the year by beating Austin in their friendly confines. Physical from the start, Austin defended their home turf with authority. Just 8 minutes in, the match's first dust up, featuring Gareth Bale, who made his first start for LAFC, Muri, Jon Gallagher, and others would be a harbinger of things to come. After a nasty foul by Eddie Segura at the half-hour mark, Diego Fagundez's stunning effort on the ensuing free kick put the home side up 1-0. Somehow, it only made #8 on SportsCenter's Top 10. Another big dustup in the 38' would feature three yellows and a whole lot more shoving. The half would end 1-0, but the fireworks had just begun.  

As the second half kicked off,  Austin would waste no time putting their stamp on this one. Two minutes, Maxi Urruti gets on the end of a great cross by Nick Lima to put the home side up two. Three minutes later, Austin would strike again off an LAFC turnover. Urruti with the steal, Fagundez splits the defense right through the middle, and it's Urruti on the other end of it yet again for a brace. If there was a roof on Q2 Stadium, it would have been obliterated. As the wound gushed for LAFC, Diego Fagundez would call time of death at about the 59'. A beautiful pass from Diego to the probable MVP and Golden Boot winner, Sebastian Driussi, for his 19th, would put the home side up four, yes, four goals. 

LAFC would muster a bit of life during the final half hour. Subbing on Escobar, Chiellini, and Mahala, and later Danny Trejo, Cherundolo found some energy for his club. LAFC would answer just a minute into the final half hour, with Chicho slotting home a rebound. He had numerous other solid attempts, including a possible-penalty-turned-post ringing, and got plenty of help from Mahala, Trejo, and a revitalized midfield, but it was far too little, far too late. LAFC would fall and fall hard, 4-1. 

Also on 212, we bid farewell to Brian (with his song coming in 213!), good luck and see you soon to Mamadou Fall, and hello to Tello! Scarf checks in from Colorado, Filly heads off to Motley Crue, Oka Nikolov visits with Max and Vince, Vegas plucks another from the Academy, the USYNTs are covered in Black and Gold, and there's a blood drive coming up at the Banc! Check out all this and more on Episode 212, sponsored by FLEX Power Tools! We'll see you in a few short days for 213.   

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In a season where we are living in "pinch me" moments, this entire episode is a "pinch me" moment for Filly and Scarf! None other than DJ Flict himself, Chris Aparri, sits down with the boys for a very special interview.

Recorded entirely on location at Saturdays Football in Highland Park, we chat with DJ Flict about everything: How he got started in music, the incredible pantheon of greats that he has worked with, how the incredible anthem "Do It For LA" came to be, his thoughts on LAFC, and so, SO much more! He absolutely bleeds Black and Gold, and the one-hour interview absolutely slaps!

Also on this episode, you'll find out about easter eggs hidden in "Do It For LA", how Flict's family reacted to his career in music, living in Orange County, who his "date" is for LAFC matches, and what it's like to hear and see 22,000 people vibe out to something you helped create. Again, he is SO much fun to sit and chat with. 

Quick note: There are 1 or 2 swears on here. Sorry. 

And oh-by-the-way, there's a special Defenders drop at the very end of this episode. (and no, it's not Brian's Song... YET.) Enjoy!

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Episode 210 is upon us, and before we talk about the match against the Quakes, we have an announcement! Defenders of the Banc is proud to announce the podcast’s first official sponsor: FLEX Power Tools. Yes, FLEX, the very same front-of-kit sponsor of our beloved Black and Gold! A huge thank you to everyone in the FLEX family: Joe, Katie, Brady, Vince, Taylor, Shane, and everyone involved in making this dream a reality.

Meanwhile in San Jose, the Black and Gold take an… interesting lineup into PayPal Park to take on the Quakes. While Max and the back line were relatively normal, the midfield trio of Mendez-Acosta-Blessing and seeing Ryan Hollingshead’s name next to Chicho and Mahala on the front line left both Filly and Scarf saying “Wait… what?!” (It’s back!)

LAFC would go down early on a Benji Kikanovic goal, set up by the theme for the match, an attack from the right by San Jose. After a couple of near misses by Jeremy Ebobisse and Chicho Arango, we head to half down, but not out, 1-0. 

Surprisingly, no halftime changes were made, but that wouldn’t stop LAFC from leveling the match. After some much-needed heroics by Crepeau, it was time for more Mahala magic! A cheeky chip of Marcinkowski in the 54’ was all LAFC needed to grab a point back on the road. Or at least we thought.

After subbing in Carlos Vela, Jose Cifuentes, Ilie Sanchez, and Gareth Bale, the momentum immediately swung our way, but double yellows on Ilie and Kellyn, coupled with the wunderkind, Cade Cowell, entering the match, spelled trouble for the Black and Gold. In the 77’, Cade Cowell fired a one-timer with authority to put the home side on top for good and send PayPal Park into a frenzy. San Jose had just won their MLS Cup. 

Ilie Sanchez all but sealed the victory for SJ, picking up his second yellow in just 15 minutes, assuring he will miss the match in Austin, but a game LAFC squad wouldn’t relent. The front line of Bale, Chicho, and Vela were clicking as LAFC had a few chances to pull one back, but it was too little, too late, and just like that, the win streak was over. 

This episode definitely meanders through the first few bits! Will Cifu, Mamadou Fall, and/or Brian Rodriguez be on their way out? Are more players coming in? Why is Filly calling out Tony Robbins (again)? Did we really just talk about the return of Shaft Brewer, Jr. to American soccer? And did the boys really get to bring back “Name That Perez”?! What an episode!

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