On Episode 204, we find the Black and Gold in Kansas City, at potential World Cup venue Children’s Mercy Park, set to take on Sporting KC. It’s a battle of worst versus first, as the only thing hot in Sporting’s world is the climate, and this one would play out exactly according to plan. 

It was another slow start for LAFC, dodging an early bullet from Erik Thommy in the 15th minute. Sporting had a bit of a moment themselves, needing Logan Ndenbe to save one off the line to keep us scoreless into the half. Would LAFC respond with their typical hot second half performance? Yes. 

LAFC started out hot, manufacturing several opportunities just 5 minutes in. The momentum, however, seemed to really shift in the 50th minute, as Tim Melia, SKC’s stalwart keeper since 2015, grabbed the back of his hamstring as he raced back to cover goal. He knew it wasn’t great almost immediately, and on came seldom-used backup John Pulskamp. It took LAFC just minutes to strike, as Carlos Vela found Mahala who found Chicho for a beautiful ticky-taki goal. Chicho scores for LAFC yet again, and there aren’t many hotter players in all of MLS than LAFC’s number 9. LAFC would score a second goal in the 83rd minute, and it’s fair to say this one was felt around the world. 

Chicho found a streaking Gareth Bale, who had checked in about 18 minutes earlier, and, in yet another #PinchMeMoment, the Welsh superstar opened his LAFC account by slipping one past the backup Pulskamp. Despite 10 minutes of stoppage time and near-100 degree weather, LAFC sees this one out 2-0 to remain “Best in the West and Best in MLS.”

Also on this episode, shenanigans. Imagine that. Filly unknowingly challenges Eric “Badlands” Booker to a chugging contest with his New York accent in full effect. Filly learns what hamentashen are. Filly also rants not once, but twice, thanks to technical difficulties during today’s match. Scarf was also part of the podcast.

In honor of our 15th goal scorer, Gareth Bale, the Defenders have a neat idea: Please go to the link in our Instagram bio, and if you can, donate $15 to the fundraising effort for the Mauricio Fascio Fustal Field in Southeast LA. We can’t think of a better reason to donate, or a better cause to contribute to. We’ll see you next weekend for Episode 205.