After a bit of a break, MLS, LAFC, and the Defenders are back at it, and boy does it feel good to be back. Sitting just 2 episodes away from 200, Filly and the Scarf recap all the goings-on in the Emerald City. It's Episode 198 of "The Most LAFC Podcast on Earth!", Defenders of the Banc. 

In what we hope will be a preview of the eventual Western Conference Final, LAFC travels to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Sounders, the recent CCL Champions and very familiar foe of the Black and Gold. Scarf, Nina, and Panda all traveled to Lumen Field for the match, while Filly held it down at the official watch party near USC. LAFC looked to remain at the top of the table while MLS celebrated Juneteenth league-wide. 

One storyline going into the match would be who would NOT be playing. For Seattle, Joao Paulo is out for the season while Yeimar and Ruidiaz would be out for the match. On our side of things, while we still await the debut of Eddie Segura, we were missing Brian Rodriguez due to travel issues (he's getting his green card) while Kellyn Acosta, Carlos Vela, Mamadou Fall, and Franco Escobar all would begin the match on the bench. 

After a beautiful rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing", the match played out a bit like a heavyweight fight, with both prizefighters feeling each other out for the first half. Seattle had more opportunities of quality, but both sides would enter the half without a goal. It was Seattle's major offseason acquisition, Albert Rusnak, who would score first, off a perfect pass from... Maxime Crepeau. It was a gaffe that Maxime immediately copped to, and one that looked like it would doom LAFC on the road. 

However, just 6 minutes after making his LAFC debut, Danny Trejo, the kid from Mendota, battled for a header that found Chicho in the box. With Stefan Frei badly out of position, Arango's header goes over Frei but under the bar for a 79th minute equalizer, and LAFC would take a point home with them from the Emerald City. Quite the debut for Trejo, LAFC's first round pick of a year ago. 

Also on this episode, much like Bo Jackson in the 90's, Filly gives himself a new nickname, Scarf has his greatest moment at a pool table (with witnesses!), and both The Ghost and Three Umlauts get a mention! Just two episodes away from another huge milestone, so stay tuned for all the fun, but in the meantime, enjoy Episode 198!