Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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LAFC touched down in Portland riding the high of a three-game win streak and a newly found goal scoring touch. Leave it to the fake grass, rain, and physical play of Portland to throw the 2021 season back into flux. The Black and Gold lose a frustrating one, 2-1, as they leave several chances unfinished at Providence Park. Hear all about it here on Episode 168!

Playing against Portland is never comfortable, and their physical style tends to throw LAFC off their game a bit. This was certainly true throughout this one, and 4 yellow cards did little to deter them. After Brian Rodriguez missed a gorgeous opportunity in the 19', Portland capitalized just two minutes later. A corner and several headers find Dairon Asprilla, who heads home the opening salvo for Portland. LAFC would answer quickly, however, as a PK by Chicho, his 5th straight game with a goal, would level things before the half. 

During the opening moments of the second half, we almost... almost saw MLS's Goal of the Year by Jose Cifuentes. From about 40 yards out, Cifu caught Steve Clark off his line, but the ball banged loudly off the post and away. Just past the hour mark, somehow, somehow Cifu misses a wide open net off a pass from Chicho. Both he and the Defenders will be seeing this one in their sleep for some time. Oy. 

Portland would answer right after the LAFC miss, as sub George Fochive is able to put a rebound home with his head, and that would be it for LAFC despite 20 minutes remaining. Bob subbed in Latif, Chiqui, Moose, and eventually Bryce Duke, but it wasn't meant to be in Portland. LAFC falls below the playoff line again, and the fight continues. 

Also on this episode, it's just Scarf. That's right. Filly is in Orlando, and a couple last minute cancellations lead to this one being a solo Scarf project. Diego Rossi plays well, twice in one week, for Fenerbahce, while the Las Vegas Lights don't lose! It's very likely LAFC's roster is now frozen, but the cast and crew of Ted Lasso are hot, taking home multiple Emmys! Let's hope LAFC can be just as successful as they head to San Jose for a mid-week tilt against the Quakes!  

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Major League Soccer might have tried to keep Filly and The Scarf out of Austin by scheduling a Wednesday away match, but nothing could keep LAFC’s own Moose, Danny Musovski, from rampaging through Q2 Stadium! LAFC comes out of Texas with three points, beating Austin FC, 2-1. 

For the first of several times in the match, the soccer gods smiled upon LAFC early, wiping off an Austin goal in the 4th minute to keep the match scoreless. The first half was a bit of a snoozer the rest of the way, and LAFC enters the locker room in a scoreless battle. 

The second half would be very different, as LAFC came out firing, mainly off the boots of Jose Cifuentes. It was just before the hour mark that LAFC captured lightning in a bottle, as Kim Moon-Hwan worked his magic in the box and fired a cross that glanced off the outstretched elbow of Diego Fagundez. Upon further review, a penalty was awarded, and Chicho Arango, much to the delight of both Filly and Barry Manilow fans around the world, slotted it home to give LAFC the lead. 

LAFC was carved up for an easy goal several minutes later, as Fagundez atoned for his previous mishap, but LAFC did not relent. In the 85’, a beautiful pass by Jose Cifuentes sprung Danny Musovski, and the Moose knew exactly what to do with the opportunity. Moose slots it past Brad Stuver and LAFC holds on for the 2-1 win. Three points on the road, three wins in a row, and LAFC is rocketing up the Western Conference standings. 

As the episode kicks off, Filly and Scarf engage in a Barry Manilow vs. Simply Red duel for the ages. LAFC signs another keeper from the deep end of the pool, the boys swoon over the new Mets documentary, and absolutely no mentions of TGLA occur on this pod. We bemoan Don Garber’s scheduling, we begin to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and we continue to wait for another Las Vegas Lights victory. It’s a fun pod for the boys, made even better by taking all three points on the road from FC Broccoli! 

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Sometimes you’re lucky. Sometimes you’re good. In LAFC’s match against RSL at the Banc this week, we were definitely a little bit of both! LAFC wins consecutive games for just the third time this season, 3-2 over Real Salt Lake, and you can hear all about how it went down on Episode 166. 

If you weren’t in your seat at the start of the match, you missed history! Eduard Atuesta takes the ball through the middle of the pitch, finds Bryce Duke, and after a small deflection, Chicho Arango puts it in the back of the net just 20 seconds from the opening whistle. It’s the fastest goal in LAFC history, and the 8th fastest goal ever in MLS. LAFC is up 1-0, and the roller coaster ride has begun.

RSL and LAFC would trade goals near the half-hour mark, as Damir Kreilach found the back of the net against us once again. Yeesh. Just two minutes later, Eduard Atuesta drops a dime from above and Chicho is able to head it in past Ochoa to re-take the lead. Coming out of the halftime break, LAFC gives up another headscratcher. A bad turnover by Bryce Duke leads to a run out from Anderson Julio, and RSL has equalized yet again.

Not to worry, Black and Gold Faithful, because tonight, for one of the first times all season, the futbol gods are on OUR side. Right before the hour mark, Toni Datkovic attempts to make a simple back pass to his keeper, David Ochoa. However, the pass was a little to the right of Ochoa, and as he slipped, the RSL keeper could only helplessly watch as the ball trickled into the back of the net. Both sides traded opportunities, but LAFC holds on for the win, 3-2. 

Also on this episode, Filly doesn’t just channel Barry Manilow, you may actually think he is in the room with us. Scarf waxes on about TGLA while ranting against the negativity in the LAFC fan pages (after a winning streak!). LAFC signs a keeper, Diego Rossi debuts for Fenebache, the Las Vegas Lights still haven’t won, and it’s Happy Former Keeper Birthday time on This Day in LAFC History! The club is off to Austin and the boys are off to bed, but not before we give you Episode 166 of The Most LAFC Podcast on Earth! 

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In Los Angeles, it’s not the leaves changing color, or a crispness in the air, or even the smell of pumpkin spice in every Starbucks and Trader Joe’s that signal the coming of fall in 2021. This year, it’s the sound of the 3252 roaring as our own Defender of the Banc, Mamadou Fall, scores a brace at the Banc to give LAFC its biggest win of 2021! It’s Episode 165, the first of the post-Diego Rossi era, and it’s Fall!

The first 17 minutes-plus gave no indication of the season change that was coming. SKC dominated long stretches of the early part of the match, but LAFC’s defense played well. In the 18th minute, LAFC earns a corner, taken by Eduard Atuesta. A perfect corner finds Mamadou Fall, the 18-year old Senegalese defender who has been a beacon of light on the rough seas of the 2021 season. Rising above the defense, Fall heads it cleanly into the back of the net to give LAFC a bit of a shock lead, 1-0. LAFC would hold serve through the first half and head to the locker room up a goal. 

In the second half, Red Card Roger reared his head once again, as Roger Espinoza is shown red for an unintentional-but-awful looking on Chicho Arango, and SKC was shook. Latif earns LAFC a free kick at the hour mark, and the pair of Atuesta and Fall were back at it! Off the set piece, Mamadou gets on the end of another perfect ball, heading it across goal for a brace and a two-goal lead for LAFC! 10 minutes later, Duke, Moose, and Chicho link up for LAFC’s third, and it looked like the lead was finally safe from our 80th minute curse. Just to be sure, Eduard Atuesta buried a Musovski-earned PK in the 85th minute to put the Black and Gold up 4, and the party was on at the Banc!

Also on this episode, Jordan Harvey gets some burn, Filly rants about the haters, and Scarf remembers Tommy Mark on the 3rd anniversary of his sudden passing. Of course, there’s This Day In LAFC History, a rundown of our boys on international duty, and a short prayer to prevent injuries during kickball. We hope you enjoy Episode 165 almost as much as our incredible victory over Sporting! 

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For the first and only time in the 2021 MLS regular season, Derby Days comes to the Banc! Fresh off All Star Weekend, LAFC faces their near-town rivals, the Carson Galaxy, in the most important match of the season. The LA Derby never disappoints, and this edition certainly would not. Hear all about it here on Episode 164 of The Most LAFC Podcast in all of Los Angeles County. 

It’s been quite the week in world football as Cristiano Ronaldo lands in Manchester and Messi gets set to debut in Paris, but MLS’s dream matchup of Vela vs. Chicharito would only occur on the injury list. The Black and Gold would lean on the front line of Diego Rossi, Chicho Arango, and Brian Rodriguez, and the front line would deliver. However, and stop me if you’ve heard us talk about this before, the defense would leave points on the pitch at home. 

A first-minute no-call on Diego Rossi, which certainly should have resulted in a penalty for LAFC, could have taken the wind out of our sails early, but LAFC kept fighting. Unfortunately, another bad bounce involving Muri leads to a goal for Carson, and LAFC falls behind early. RIght before the halftime whistle, it’s Chicho with a moment of brilliance, both earning a PK after being fouled in the box AND burying it home a minute later. We are deadlocked at one after the first half of play. 

The second half would be a back and forth affair, with one moment of show-stopping brilliance by Brian Rodriguez. Weaving through three defenders in the box and shooting it over a fourth and the keeper, Rayito delivered a definite GOTY candidate. After another equalizer for Carson, it’s Brian, again, this time slotting home a rebound off Jonathan Bond to give LAFC the lead for the second time. In what has unfortunately become a theme this season, LAFC could not salt the game away. Awful back line defending leaves Kevin Cabral wide open and, with just four minutes remaining in regulation, we are again level, and that’s the end result. 

Also on this episode, Filly meets his “hall pass”, Scarf misses his Little League days, The 3252 unveils another inspiring tifo, and Niko Hämäläinen helps out his old club. We also talk a little Messi, CR7, and even a dash of Laurent Ciman. For LAFC, the fight has just begun, and warriors never stop fighting. Enjoy all the sights and sounds of Derby Day here on Episode 164. 

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The MLS All Star Week landed at the Banc, and your boys, the Defenders of the Banc, Filly and the Scarf were there to take it all in. What a cool weekend it was! As has become a tradition here on Defenders, we recap all of the All Star festivities with our good buddy and fellow #podfam member Jonathan Reimer. 

From the All Star Kickoff at the 1923 Club on Monday, to the Skills Challenge on Tuesday, to the FanFest on Christmas Tree Lane on Wednesday, all the activities leading up to the showdown between two leagues were a blast. Soccer Skee Ball? Free scarves? Meeting the Soccer Don? A truck trying to charge us $9 for a slice of pizza? Only at MLS All Star Week. But that was only the amuse-bouche, as Ted Lasso would say. 

The game itself lived up to all the hype and billing, despite missing the three biggest stars, Carlos Vela, Chicharito, and Gignac. The national anthems were so cool and well done, as was the MLS “jingle”, as Filly called it. The flyover got the juices flowing, and a last-minute sub into the starting XI by Bob Bradley, moving Diego Rossi into the lineup, was all the pro-LAFC crowd at the Banc needed. 

Liga MX struck first, with Jonathan Rodriguez capitalizing on his first chance, something Diego Rossi, unfortunately, couldn’t do minutes earlier. But just like the 3252, the MLS All Stars really found their footing after the first 40 minutes. In a dream scenario for LAFC supporters, a corner kick by Eduard Atuesta found the streaking, soaring head of Jesus Murillo, and just like that, we are level at one goal apiece! 

The match would stay that way through 90’, and PK’s would decide the winner of this amazing showdown. Matt Turner did Matt Turner things, saving two shots, and a third was pushed well over the bar by Liga MX. Despite Eduard Atuesta having his shot saved and a bad miss by Nani, it was the 18-year old kid from FC Dallas, Ricardo Pepi, who stepped up with ice in his veins and called game. MLS takes the first-ever matchup between these two leagues by winning the PK battle 3-2. 

Also on the episode, Jonathan, Filly and Scarf discuss fast food, the appearance of drums in the North End, and an ugly jacket. All Star Week may be over, but you can relive all its glory, or at least hear three knuckleheads talk about it, her eon Episode 163. 

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With just a few days until the All Star Game heads to the Cathedral of Black and Gold, LAFC heads north of the border for the first time in 2 seasons to take on Vancouver. Spoiler alert: it did not go well. 

Just 15 minutes into the match, Carlos Vela called for a sub as he held his right thigh. As all LAFC front office execs and faithful alike held their collective breath, Chicho entered for a visibly pained Vela. 

Right before the half time whistle, Brian Rodriguez (yes, Brian!) earned a PK for LAFC, and the man who scored the first goal against the Sounders, Diego Rossi, slotted it home to give LAFC the lead. A lead!

LAFC would give the lead right back at the hour mark, and from there on out, Vancouver seemed to wrestle away control of the match. It was deja vu all over again for LAFC, as an unmarked passer found an unmarked goal scorer for a header in the box with just a minute and stoppage to go. Just like that, Vancouver was on top at their own place for the first time in over 530 days. 

Vancouver dominated possession for almost all SEVEN minutes of stoppage, and LAFC heads into the break with their collective tails between their legs, falling to Vancouver 2-1. 

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Gone are the days of LAFC yore, where we would score goals upon goals and rack up points both at home and on the road. Like the apothecary table in friends, this season is definitely not from yore. It’s from the Twilight Zone, with a little bit of the Upside Down sprinkled in. On Episode 161, LAFC makes its only appearance in an Eastern Conference home, as the Black and Gold travel to Atlanta to take on Josef Martinez and friends. 

In what was a microcosm of both teams’ seasons thus far, it was a fun-to-watch but ultimately unsatisfying first half of play, ending 0-0. Eduard Atuesta’s beautiful free kick to Mamadou Fall, resulting in a wonderful header that found the back of the net, was ultimately called offside in what looks to be the right call. Frustrating, but right. Romero made a couple of key saves for LAFC in the half. 

Fresh off the second half whistle, Atlanta benefitted from a poor touch by Murillo and pinpoint passing from Barco to Josef, and Atlanta was quickly on the board. LAFC tried to muster something in the second half, bringing on Arango for Brian Rodriguez, but ultimately, their effort fell flat. LAFC would remain scoreless for the second 45 minutes, and frustration turns into another poor result. LAFC falls 1-0.

To make matters worse, in the 77th minute, Diego “Chiqui” Palacios went down with a non-contact knee injury that looked… bad. Like, really bad. We hope for the best but fear the worst for our beloved wing back. 

Also on this Episode, we wish a happy birthday to Papa Scarf, Scarf’s dad John, as well as Mohamed Traore and Rodrigo Pacheco. The episode also has notes of Christian Ramirez, hints of mentions of Staebek and Aberdeen, and finishes with a flourish of a rant by Scarf himself. It takes a lot to impress Filly! We will be back for more Black and Gold banter on Episode 162 as we break down Vancouver, but until then, try not to sharpen those pitchforks all that much!

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In LAFC’s early days, San Jose was a home away from home. Goals came easy for the Black and Gold, stacks of 3 points were regularly on the menu, and the mighty 3252 took over the stadium like nowhere else LAFC journeys. Well, after today, at least we still have the 3252! LAFC falls in frustrating fashion to San Jose 2-1. 

The day started out with such promise, as LAFC fans would see the debut of Chicho Arango. Arango looked good early on, but a pair of mistakes by Jesus Murillo would doom LAFC. First, a free kick that was almost an Olympico by Cristian Espinoza finds Nathan, and LAFC is down before the 10-minute mark. Later in the half, Espinoza again is the talisman, finding Chofis as he streaks down the middle, and just like that, LAFC is down a pair before the half-hour bell was heard.

LAFC would pull one back before the end of the half on a set piece, as Carlos Vela found Jackson Yueill, who played for LAFC tonight, with a beautiful header. Honestly, after about the hour mark, there really wasn’t much of a silver lining for the club, and there’s no easy way to say this… right now we are middling. We simply aren’t that good.

Also on this episode, Carlos Vela signs with LAFC on This Day In LAFC History, Three Ümlaüts becomes the first to cross the streams, and Dio signs with a club in Qatar. Filly and Scarf are more than ready to recap a match where we score more than 2 goals, but until then, enjoy Episode 160 of Defenders of the Banc!

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LAFC gets back to the Banc to take on one of MLS’s top teams in 2021, Sporting Kansas City, and it’s safe to say that if this wasn’t rock bottom on our season, at least we don’t have too much further to fall. SKC came into the Banc and demolished the Black and Gold, 4-1, for our worst home loss in team history. 

It all started amazingly enough, as Ted Lasso Night was celebrated at the Banc, complete with an incredible installation out on Christmas Tree Lane. There were biscuits with the boss, trivia questions, cool swag, and plenty of Instagram-worthy props to take pictures with. The cast members who play AFC Richmond’s Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernández), Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Thierry Zoreaux (Moe Jeudy-Lamour) were there and the club provided “Believe” rally towels in honor of Apple TV’s great show.

That’s about where the fun ended for LAFC, as three goals doomed LAFC’s fate before halftime. Pinpoint passing by “Moonlight” Graham Zusi earned Sporting a fourth goal, and even though Danny Musovski got one back, it would prove to be far too little, far too late for LAFC.

Also on this episode, we visit the ghosts of centerbacks past in This Day In LAFC History, we welcome a new player into the fold of the Black and Gold, and we discuss our four, yes, four, members of Bob’s MLS-laden All-Star Squad. On to bigger and better things in San Jose in just a few days! 

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