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It’s the final match of the season, and potentially, the final match at Banc of California Stadium in 2020. A familiar foe awaits, as for the fourth time this year, LAFC takes on Portland. On Episode 129, Filly and the Scarf break down all the good and the bad from our tussle with the Timbers!

Things got off to a beautiful start, as just 5 minutes in, Carlos Vela, back in the starting lineup, slots one home off a rebound to put the home squad up 1-0. The connections between Diego Rossi, Carlos Vela, and the 16-year old Christian Torres came early and often for the Black and Gold, and it was fun to watch. Rossi found the post and Vela found the crossbar as LAFC head into the half up just one goal. 

It would be more of the same early in the second, as Rossi found the post again. It was a back and forth affair in the second, with LAFC creating fewer chances and Portland finding more comfort, especially off the foot of Diego Valeri. Kenneth Vermeer came up huge several times but was equaled by his counterpart between the pipes, Steve Clark. Just before stoppage, Portland found the equalizer, as Southern California native Jorge Villafana got on the end of a Diego Valeri pass to make it 1-1. It was a somewhat frustrating, if not oddly poetic, end to LAFC’s regular season. 

LAFC sit 7th in the table, which means a date with the Sounders in Seattle to kick off the playoffs. Revenge is a dish best served Black and Gold! It’ll be about a 2-week break for Bob and the boys, which should be plenty of time to get ready for Seattle. Diego Rossi ends the season as the youngest Golden Boot winner in league history, and he and Vela become the first teammates to win the boot back-to-back. LAFC also finishes the season as the Best in the West and the Best in MLS at scoring goals, pacing the circuit with 47. 

Rounding out the episode, we fondly remember Alex Trebek while saying goodbye to the Supporters Shield. This Day in LAFC History celebrates the birth of the first signing in club history while highlighting a goal for Brian (just not one for LAFC). Filly nurses a hangover, Scarf congratulates another expansion team on their playoff berth, and the boys can’t help but feel sorry for Philadelphia as they raise a plastic shield. 

The Most LAFC Podcast on Earth! Who is Defenders of the Banc? (RIP Alex Trebek)