Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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It's matchday in Cincinnati as LAFC takes on FCC in TQL Stadium. Just four days removed from Open Cup triumph over our former stepbrothers, OCSC, LAFC would take on their second straight USL oppon... err... the relative MLS newcomers in what many worried would be somewhat of a trap game. But this is not the LAFC of old! Though the trap was set, LAFC would come away with all three points behind more second-half dominance and defeat Cincy 2-1.  

It definitely didn't start out rosy in the Queen City, as Doneil Henry picks up a bad yellow just six minutes in and then compounds the issue with an injury before 30 minutes. Sebastian Ibeagha would relieve him, but pick up a yellow just minutes into his shift. Not the most inspiring of performances from two of our center backs. Couple that with a puzzling decision, or lack thereof, by the PRO refs to NOT look at what seemed to be a clear takedown in the box of Carlos Vela, and LAFC looked content to head into the half knotted at zero. Until...

Right before halftime, Maxime Crepeau turns the ball over in the middle of the pitch and Cincy turns it into gold. Luci Acosta pounces and Cincinnati heads into the locker room up a goal. It would be up to Steve Cherundolo to make the right halftime moves yet again.

Just before the hour mark, Kellyn Acosta fires from well outside the box to find an equalizer, with a little help from a deflection. Twenty minutes later, super-sub Danny Musovski scores LAFC's MLS-leading 6th goal from a substitute to take the lead and all three points. LAFC leaves the home of Skyline Chili a winner and remains at the top of the table in both the West and the Shield race. 

A huge thank you to LAFC for allowing us to join dozens of supporters at the 1800 Tequila event at House of Football, and a huge thank you to Saturdays Football for allowing us to record onsite after the match! 

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For the first time since 2019, the U.S. Open Cup is Back at the Banc! LAFC hosts their former USL affiliate, Orange County Soccer Club, in a 3rd Round Open Cup clash, and your boys Filly and Scarf are here to break down all the fun of the 5-1 win.

Open Cup matches at the Banc are always a fun time. You can hang out in Figueroa Club, get to know USL clubs, and these matches are another great excuse to just be at the Banc. You also get to know your roster a little more deeply, as players who are a little further down the depth chart get a little more burn than usual. While we aren't sure our neighbors from behind the Orange Curtain will feel that way after this match, we sure did enjoy the start of the 2022 Open Cup. 

John McCarthy, Danny Musovski, Sebastian Ibeagha, and Cal Jennings would all play vital roles in this match, and with Pancho Ginella, Doneil Henry, and Franco Escobar all getting starting nods, it's safe to say everyone in attendance got a good look at the depth of MLS's most talented roster. Chicho Arango continued his hot streak, netting a brace before halftime, and the Moose ran wild at the Banc with a brace of his own. Jennings, last year's leading scorer for the Las Vegas Lights, capped the scoring for the Black and Gold, but the biggest story of the match seemed to be a new role for Carlos Vela, albeit a temporary one: Vela at the 6. With Vela playing the Ilie Sanchez role, the ball moved around the pitch with accuracy and speed, and, in combination with Kellyn Acosta, LAFC's passing was crisp and clean. 

Also, you may have noticed 188 was released before 187... we talk about that on the pod, too! We really appreciate all the love and support, especially in the bit of a rough spot the Defenders is in with the loss of our beloved mascot, family member, and best-dressed cat on the planet. We feel you, Defenders Nation! Enjoy 188!

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Episode 186 - Penso Proves Too Much in Carson

It’s Week 6 of LAFC’s season, and with that comes our first of two Clasico Angelinos, this one down in Carson. Carson, a house of horrors for LAFC, a place where we have never tasted 3 points in our 5-year history. And unfortunately, after this match, we will likely have to wait until 2023 to do so. LAFC falls at Carson, 2-1. 

They say it’s not how you start but how you finish, but for LAFC, an awful start did them in early. After a few missed chances early on, Brian Rodriguez pulls up in the 7th minute with an apparent hamstring injury. Shell shocked and lacking composure, Carson and Chicharito pounced, taking an early 1-0 lead off a header from their captain. 

LAFC kept their foot on the gas, but a post hit by Vela and an erroneous offside call kept LAFC off the scoreboard. To put it nicely and mildly, it was an incredibly frustrating series of events. But nothing as bad as the 31st minute, where Sega is able to get on the end of another cross on the back post to double LAFC’s deficit. LAFC would go into the half down a pair, and needing to find a pair both figuratively and literally to level the match. 

The Black and Gold came out hot, though a Vela goal was correctly disallowed in the second minute of the second half. Chicho and Latif came on to provide a bit of extra energy, and it wound up being Chicho who would get us on the board in the 79’ after a great long throw into the box by Chiqui. Vela’s initial shot was saved, but the rebound came to the feet of Chicho, who calmly buried it. 

In the 8th, yes, 8th minute of stoppage time, LAFC thought they had equalized on a Latif Blessing goal after the ball pinballed around the box. However, according to PRO refereeing savant Chris Penso, Mamadou Fall was offside because no defender was deliberately actively making a play on the ball. Horsepucky. In one of the most controversial calls in our rivalry’s history, the goal was disallowed, and after 11 minutes of stoppage, Carson takes all three points. Again, horsepucky. 

LAFC will have to regroup quickly as Sporting KC comes calling on Sunday the 17th at the Banc. Though there are positives to take away from the second half, this result will sting for quite some time. Hopefully, Episode 186 can help you exercise these demons along with us. 

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It’s Episode 185, and Filly and the Scarf find themselves in beautiful downtown San Diego. LAFC travels to Orlando in search of three points, with many players coming back from their international duty. LAFC’s depth and resolve would be tested, and, despite Joao Moutinho’s best efforts, the Black and Gold would come away with three points in the House of the Mouse!

 Things did not start well for LAFC, as Orlando dominated the first 20+ minutes of the match. However, that star-studded front line would come together for the first time, as Vela played a perfect ball over the top for Chicho, who found a streaking Rayito for his first goal of the season. The rest of the first half would be a back-and-forth affair. Pato and Murillo would trade goals, and right before the half, LAFC’s old friend Joao would tally the equalizer to send us into the half 2-2. 

 The second half was a different story, however, as LAFC came to play. Cherundolo inserts Cifu into the match at the half and just 6 minutes later, a rocket by Ilie Sanchez puts LAFC on top 3-2. It very well might be the Goal of the Week! LAFC shows off its depth, bringing on Mahala, Kellyn Acosta, and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi to get significant run in the second half, and right before stoppage, the Moose was let loose in Orlando. In stoppage time, the player Scarf calls the most exciting player to watch in Black and Gold, Mahala, finds the back of the net after some chaos in front of goal. LAFC comes home with all three points after four goals on the road in Orlando. 

 How many songs does Filly sing on this episode? Who at LAFC can get Scarf that sweet, sweet red keeper kit Maxime Crepeau wore for the match? And what phrase from 2019 looks like it’ll be sticking around on the pod for a while? You’ll have to listen to Episode 185 to find out! Enjoy!

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Matchday number 4 in the 2022 MLS season is here, and it’s more of the same from Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Vela, and the best team in Major League Soccer, LAFC. It’s Episode 184, it’s Scarf’s birthday, and it’s time to take another moment to appreciate Mo. 

Though Filly and Scarf took a bit to get their schedules on the same page, and to both be in the same country, it’s all worth the wait as the boys discuss the 3-1 win over Vancouver leading into the international break. 

All Scarf wanted for his birthday was three points, but Tristan Blackmon, the former LAFC defender, didn’t get the memo. A 12th-minute goal put the visitors up a goal, definitely not the start that the Black and Gold wanted. It would take 15 minutes for LAFC to find the leveler, as Carlos Vela’s corner finds the grounded Ryan Hollingshead for a beautiful header. 11 minutes later, Mahala weaves through three defenders, passes it by a fourth to a streaking Carlos Vela, and, after his second bite at the cherry, uses the Left Foot of God to give LAFC a lead they would not relinquish. 

After several great second-half chances to extend the lead, Ryan Hollingshead gets that pesky first-brace-of-his-career out of the way after 197 MLS matches to put LAFC up 3-1, and that would be that. LAFC stay at the top of the table with 10 points through four matches as the defense has another solid performance. Dolo Ball is working!

Also on this episode, Angel City FC takes flight, Danny Trejo makes history in Vegas, three of LAFC’s best and brightest get called into camps for El Tri, MAK gets disqualified for El Maple Tree, and the push to build a futsal court in Mo’s honor begins. We’re sorry for the delay, but we really hope you enjoy Episode 184 of “The Most LAFC Podcast on Earth!” 

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It’s the third match of 2022 for LAFC, and our first away from the friendly
 confines of the Banc. LAFC travels near the city where the heat is on, down to Fort Lauderdale to take on Inter Miami CF. Welcome to Episode 183, where Filly and Scarf break down all the fun, and the weather, of our second win of the year. 

It was an ominous start on a few fronts for LAFC. The weather, and more specifically,
 the wind, was a major factor from the very start. The wind affected free kicks, long passes, and even a shot or two for the Black and Gold. Couple that with the fact that LAFC also picked up two early yellows, one on Ilie and the second on Moon, and it certainly wasn’t the start Steve Cherundolo had hoped for. 

Just when we thought we would have to be content with a 0-0 first half, Brek
 Shea begins to do Brek Shea things. First, a pass from Carlos Vela deflected by Brek finds a streaking Mahala in the box, and Mahala doesn’t miss from there! LAFC goes up 1-0 off a rocket from Opoku. But Brek wasn’t done yet! After getting broken off inside
 by Rayito, Brek grabs and spins Brian for a straight red, and Miami would play the second half a man down. 

Over the course of the second half, LAFC brought in some key reinforcements:
 Chicho, Latif, Tajouri-Shradi, and Pancho all enter the match in the second half, highlighting the depth of this club in 2022. It would be Ismael Tajouri-Shradi with the moment of brilliance for LAFC, scoring on an untouched free-kick from the right of keeper Clement Diop across the goal and in! LAFC would salt away the victory, take all three points, and, for the moment, move to the top of the table in the West, and the top of the Supporters Shield race.* (*plenty of clubs still to play on the night…) 

What did Filly think of the lead commentator? What about Scarf’s take on
 the MLS media deal? And what the heck is League1 Ontario? Tune in to Episode 183 to find out! 

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Match 2 of the Steve Cherundolo era is upon us, and a familiar yet unfriendly foe comes knock, knock, knocking on Black and Gold Heaven’s door, the Portland Timbers. The Pesky Pine Trees, as Filly likes to call them, have dominated LAFC as of late, with our last win against the Rose City coming in September of 2020. 

It was a star-studded affair at the Banc, with Owen Wilson, Weston McKennie, owner Will Farrell, B-Real, and even Head of Security Paul all in attendance. The 22,000 in attendance would be treated to a classic Portland/LAFC match. Franco Escobar came off with an injury in the 13th minute, and just 5 minutes later, Portland would find the back of the net first. Yimmi Chara’s second bicycle kick in as many weeks put Portland on top and into their patented defensive shell. 

After the half, LAFC provided our first Wait, What? Moment of the regular season: Carlos Vela coming off after half-time with a potential small knock.

It would take 80 full minutes for LAFC to answer, but now without some help from the visitors first: Portland’s Claudio Bravo would pick up his second yellow card in the 62nd minute, and from then on, LAFC was on the front foot. Brian Rodriguez would find a streaking Mamadou Fall in the box after yet another successful run by Rayito up the left flank. Brian made the pass, Fall slotted home the equalizer, and, after Crepeau swatted away another Chara attempt, LAFC claws back a point at home.

News and Notes tracks a player we loved to watch in the preseason while This Day In LAFC History says both happy birthday and so long to a former Defender of the Banc. Why are the boys waking up extra early for an away match? How is Scarf celebrating his birthday? And what will Filly program next on the new toys in studio? Make sure you tune in to Defenders of the Banc all season to find out answers to these questions and many more on Episode 183. 

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Season 5 is finally here, and LAFC looks to kick off the Steve Cherundolo era the exact same way they have started their first four seasons, with a win! The SG's have their tents set up on Christmas Tree Lane, the Defenders, Filly and Scarf, are ready to take notes and enjoy beverages, and a healthy Carlos Vela is in the lineup. Everything seems right for a huge LAFC win, and our boys did NOT disappoint!

Before the match, there were all the feels. The Super Bowl trophy was in the building, brought to us by Rampage himself. A new sponsor, Rockstar Energy Drinks, was on the warm-ups. Jordan Harvey emerged as the honorary falconer, amid deafening chants from The 3252. And a tear-inducing tifo of Chente was unveiled in the North End. The stage was set, and our leading man perform accordingly.

Behind the third hat trick of his LAFC career, the 5th ever hat trick on opening day, and his second against Colorado, LAFC ran roughshod over the former Western Conference crown-bearers, the Rapids. The team felt more galvanized than it had been in a few seasons, the players met the moment with an intensity, fire, and passion rarely seen in recent years, and the Mayor's tenure started on a high note. LAFC stops the Rapids, 3-0. 

If you follow the Defenders on a regular basis, this episode has all the goodies. Why are the boys talking like pirates? Why was there a ghost sighting on the podcast? And how is Filly holding up after having to witness yet another crushing defeat of his hockey team? Check out Episode 181, the first of the 2022 season, to find out!

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Season 5 is almost upon us, and we here at Defenders Nation, preachers of the Black and Gold gospel, absolutely cannot wait! With our new vestments freshly unpacked, the "5 Years Strong" kit, we are indeed feeling stronger than ever. But while the kit may be new, and the coach may be new, and many of the players may be new, the goal remains the same: win the whole damn thing!
 
 Here on Episode 180, it's a solo Scarf endeavor, as Filly takes a short break from the pod to continue to kill it over in MASL-land. Not to worry, however, as Scarf takes you through all the happenings in pre-season. 
 
 Out in Windio, LAFC gains their wings with a 6-1 drubbing of the Red Bulls after a no-show against DC, and the performance by Rayito has Scarf right back on the bandwagon. LAFC wasn't done "tweaking" the roster, or the front office! Marco Antonio Garces comes over from Pachuca in what feels like a huge move for the FO. Ryan Hollingshead and Doneil Henry give the Defenders of the Banc two new defenders to support, and we welcome the Mayor's staff to the sidelines, including one coach who stayed, one who returned, and one who will coach our keepers. 
 
 We spotlight players of the past, including updates on Eduard Atuesta and Diego Rossi, players of the present, as Eddie Segura and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi recover from injury, and players of the future, as Nathan Ordaz and Marvin Gamez headline the next budding young crop of talent. Wait until you hear about all the LAFC Academy talent and girls from LAFC SoCal Youth called into US national youth camps! 
 
 What happened during the Academy's Open Cup qualifying run? What's the South Korean connection between Kim Moon-Hwan and Canadian Doneil Henry? Is it Furman College or Furman University? To get the answers to these, and all your other Black and Gold queries, please enjoy Episode 180 of Defenders of the Banc! Is it Opening Day yet?!

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LAFC 2.0 is on and poppin’, and for the first time in our club’s history, the Black and Gold took the pitch without Bob Bradley. The Steve Cherundolo Era begins in earnest, and it’s against a familiar preseason foe, the New England Revolution.

Forgoing much of the usual News and Notes of most Defenders episodes (to be covered in Episode 180!), Filly and the Scarf get right in to all the action in our first preseason match of Season 5! (Right after a little This Date In LAFC History, of course…)

Many of the new faces would have to wait to make their LAFC debuts. Maxime Crepeau and Kellyn Acosta were both in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada waiting to face each ther in a World Cup Quaifier, while Ilie Sanchez and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi were unavailable as well. LAFC mainstay Eddie Segura is still working himself back to 100%, while Latif Blessing, Chiqui Palacios, and Jose Cifuentes all were held back as well. However, some of the “new new” was at the Banc, including Franco Escobar, our new #2 on the back line. Also starting was future backup keeper John McCarthy. 

It was a back and forth first half, with most of the excitement centered around a rather silly red card earned by Jesus Murillo in the 25’. Scoreless until just before the half time whistle, Adam Buksa put a rebound past McCarthy, and LAFC entered the half down 1-0. And, oh by the way, you can replace a player who gets a red, as long as it’s preseason!

The second half saw a ton of changes for LAFC. Trialists, fringe roster players, and Mamadou Fall all took the pitch in the second half. Tomas Romero took over in goal, Cal Jennings, Mahala, Danny Musovski, and Danny Trejo all played up top, but it was late super-sub Bruce El-Mesmari who created the big chance for LAFC. Taken down in the box in the 85’, the PK was converted by Fall, and the match ended 1-1. 

All in all, it was an entertaining start to the new era at LAFC. 25 different players took the pitch, our new coach coached, and we loved every minute of it. And we are looking forward to covering EVERY single minute of it here on Defenders of the Banc! Join us for Season 5!

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