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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.