LAFC Season Pass Podcast | It Never Rains LA

The crew does its best to make sense of the LAFC's record six game winless streak, diverting from the normal formula to hypothesize about the effect the All-Star might have and consider what might come next as the Black & Gold look to turn things around.

Los Angeles Football Club dropped points again at home in a 4 - 1 embarrassment against now Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City. The starting lineup had to see some big changes at the back with Eddie Segura out for the season, after having a procedure to repair his ACL and Jesus Murillo being sat with a minor injury to his hamstring with no return date in site.

SKC came out with a plan to give the black and gold a taste of their own medicine. They pressed the black and gold back line and were successful in disrupting buildup play in the LAFC defensive half. A few times, SKC was able to quickly transition from their high press to their counterattack with a numerical advantage. LAFC gave up three goals in the first half. All of them came from turnovers in possession, two of which SKC went the length of the field to score. The second half saw LAFC take their effort to another level, but it saw more goal scoring chances go unconverted. After LAFC gave up a 4th goal to the visitors, Danny Musovski got a cancellation goal to avoid the shutout. This was a deflating loss for the Black and Gold faithful as it is the third game in a row when LAFC didn't take 3pts at the final whistle.

LAFC will look to turn things around away this Sunday with a 4pm kickoff at PayPal Park against the San Jose Earthquakes. This gives them an opportunity to expel this bad taste in their mouth from their home loss. The 3 keys to the match are clear and obvious: 1). no mistakes in possession in the defensive half that lead to counterattacking situations for the opponent, 2). finish the clear cut goal scoring opportunities inside the 18, and 3). when adversity hits during the game, an immediate response of effort, energy and intelligence is mandatory. The pressure is mounting on Bob Bradley to right the ship. If three points is not taken this weekend, the black and gold could drop out of a playoff spot. This game is important to get the second half of the MLS regular season started on the front foot.

In this fourteenth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, and guest appearances from Ben Bjelajac aka Benny Blanco and Sam Ko aka Slim from our sister podcast the FCFC pod breakdown LAFC's worst loss in recent memory at home to Sporting Kansas City.

Los Angeles Football Club earned two points in their last two matches with two 2-2 draws against Western Conference foes. The fellas in black and gold missed a chance to climb the table and now are tied on points with Minnesota sitting in 5th in the Western Conference.

The match with Vancouver had a slow start as LAFC played their 3rd game in 8 days. Their lack of energy in the first half was apparent and was punished. Vancouver took advantage of a poor clearance from Kim Moon-Hwan in the 25th minute, giving Deiber Caicedo an easy tap in. Shortly after, in the 38th minute, Whitecaps top goals scorer, Cristian Dajome doubles the score on a header from a set piece. The response before half time provided hope as Edward Atuesta picked out Carlos Vela to cut the lead in half before the break. With a much improved showing in the second half, LAFC was only able to find the equalizer in the 75th minute. Jose Cifuentes hits a volley from a Diego Palacios cross that demonstrates his continued growth this season as he sits tied with Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela with a team leading 5 goals.

LAFC's next match against Minnesota United started with LAFC on the front foot. Carlos Vela was denied by former LAFC Goalkeeper Tyler Miller. The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute when Jose Cifuentes intercepted a pass in his half and played the through ball for the Carlos Vela breakaway goal. Emanuel Reynoso leveled the score at the 49th minute mark with a strike after creating some space away from Marco Farfan. Tristan Blackmon got his first goal of the campaign with a header off a corner from Edward Atuesta. Minnesota would play spoiler with a goal in the 95th minute from Hassanu Dotson which finished the game at 2-2.

In this thirteenth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan) and Ryan Wallerson (from Copenhagen, Denmark), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, breakdown LAFC's two draws with Vancouver and Minnesota and previews the big Wednesday night game vs Sporting Kansas City.

Los Angeles Football Club earned three points in their last two matches against Western Conference opponents; the boys in black and gold won 2-1 against the Real Salt Lake before losing away to the Portland Timbers.

The match with RSL saw our boys in black and gold dominate possession holding the ball 56.7% of the time. This resulted in 29 shots attempted with 9 of them being on goal. The goals came from Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela. As shown in the second goal, it is evident that new comer Kim Moon-Hwan has found good chemistry and understanding with LAFC Captain Carlos Vela. Their understanding is only going to improve from here which will bring more goals.

LAFC's next match against Portland was an entertaining game. Unfortunately the two worst moments were the first and last of the game. Both moments resulted in goals off of crosses. The first one to start the game came after a Marco Farfan turnover and the second came off a quick restart off a throw in. Outside of these two moments, LAFC dominated possession and shots, but could not find a way to get enough of their chances in the back of the net.

In this twelfth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan) and Ryan Wallerson (from Copenhagen, Denmark), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher (one of us has to be in California., right?), breakdown LAFC's win over RSL and loss to Portland and previews the two matches against Vancouver and Minnesota.

With the MLS break, we reflect on the top headlines in football, Messi wins Copa America 2021, being his first international trophy for Argentina and the Italian comeback in the 2020 Euro Cup Final. Penalty kicks resulted in a heartbreaking ending for the bring it home story for England. They took the lead early in a 2nd minute after Kieran Trippier found Luke Shaw on the back post. Shaw's first touch blast found the inside of the front post, before player of the tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma could make the stop. From then on England sat back and invited Italy to break down the British defense. After Italy dominating the run of play, they converted their chance in the 67th minute off a corner-kick. 34 year old Leonardo Bonucci placed a rebound off the back post into the goal, leveling the score at 1. Heroics from Gianluigi Donnarumma making 2 stops as Enland's last three PK takers all missed.

In the Copa America Final, Messi finally got help from the supporting cast. Ángel Di María was the loan goal scorer finding the back of the net in the 22nd minute. Rodrigo De Paul found space behind the Brazilian back line where only Di María could get a magician's touch to provide the early lead for Argentina. The game was very physical from the start and continued with lots of tackles in transition. This was the first time Brazil had ever lost in a final hosted in Brazil. In the end it felt like justice had been served as Neymar found time after shedding his tears to congratulate his friend, Messi.

In this eleventh episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, review the Euro Cup 2020 Final, Copa America 2021 Final and preview LAFC's home match-up against Real Salt Lake and away against Portland.

In the tenth match of the 2021 season, Los Angeles Football Club dropped 3 points on the road to Western Conference contender Sporting Kansas City in a 2-1 loss. Kim Moon-Hwan opened the scoresheet with his first goal in MLS for the Black and Gold. In the 24th minute, Kim beat two players after receiving a pass from Jose Cifuentes, slotting the ball inside the front post.

LAFC did not dominate possession as they traditionally do. It was partially due to going down a man in the 58th minute off of a Tristan Blackmon foul resulting in a sending off. As the rain began to pour in Austin, Blackmon gave a poor pass intended for Diego Rossi that was cut out by SKC young star, Gianluca Busio. The transition allowed Busio to find Daniel Salloi wide with space. To avoid the goal scoring opportunity, Blackmon stuck his arm out bringing Salloi to the ground. The free kick only resulted in Busio hitting the wood work which only was a sign of what was to come.

SKC quickly evened the score with a goal from Mexican international Alan Pulido, in the 61st minute, after a poor clearance from Marco Farfan. LAFC showed defensive grit through the remaining 30 minutes, and pushed the ball forward looking for the winning goal. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to take a point. In the 87th minute, the Hungarian, Daniel Salloi, made his final mark on the match with the winning goal off an Eduard Atuesta turnover.

In this tenth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, review the last three games against Kansas City, Salt Lake and Austin. LAFC is now on a two game road winning streak which sees LAFC climb the western conference table to 5th.

Los Angeles Football Club earned four points in the final two matches of its four-game homestand at the Banc; the boys in black and gold drew 1-1 against the Houston Dynamo before beating F.C. Dallas 2-0 to bring the club's record through nine league games to 3-3-3.

The draw was a bit of a disappointment in terms of results, but LAFC's defensive effort held Houston to only three attempts all game; that was very encouraging to see, as was the club's overall performance against Dallas. The struggling visitors mustered only a single shot on goal against LAFC, in comparison to the 19 shots (8 on target) that LAFC put towards Dallas' net.

LAFC's next match against Sporting Kansas City in Kansas City represents a much larger challenge; SKC leads Major League Soccer in goals as well as chances created, and it is third in the league's supporter shield race. A victory on the road against the former Wizards would easily be LAFC's biggest win of the season thus far, and from the look of the last two matches, the club just might be up for the task.

In this ninth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan) and Ryan Wallerson (from Copenhagen, Denmark), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher (one of us has to be in California., right?), breakdown LAFC's Texas sweep and preview this weekend's matchup against Sporting K.C.

In the seventh fixture of the 2021 campaign, Los Angeles Football Club dropped its first home match of the year to New York City FC in a tough 2-1 loss. The last minute headed goal that LAFC surrendered to NYCFC was a tough way to end things, but that sting has been somewhat lessened by three weeks of international football. Between the Champions League final, USA vs Mexico, the 2020* Euros and the 2021 Copa America, we here at Season Pass sincerely hope your life has not been devoid of the beautiful game.

LAFC had some good moments in the match against NYCFC, and if not for a missed sitter by Carlos Vela, the team may well have earned a point out of a third consecutive 2-2 draw, a final scoreline these two teams are very accustomed to. However, LAFC's performance was indicative of a team that is still looking for its top form, and star players who are still working back to match fitness. The three-week intermission was no break for LAFC; Bob had the boys in black and gold working hard in training, and on Saturday, June 19th, the fruit of their labor will be on display in front of the first capacity crowd at Banc of California Stadium since LAFC vs Philadelphia in March 2020, a staggering 15 months ago.

In this eighth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan) and Ryan Wallerson (from New York, New York), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher (one of us has to be in L.A., right?), breakdown LAFC's loss to NYCFC in the second of this four-match home stand, preview this weekend's matchup against Houston and look ahead to the contest against F.C. Dallas just four days later.

Stay cool out there, y'all!

In the sixth match of the season, Los Angeles Football Club (2-2-2) opened a four-game home stand with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Carlos Vela played 60 very important minutes for the black and gold, but it was a first half brace from Diego Rossi that lifted LAFC back into the win column. The back line bent at times, no more so than in the transitional sequence that allowed the Rapids goal in the opening stages of the second half, but the LAFC defense was able to ride the game out and maintain the lead through the final whistle in another positive performance.

The win marked what LAFC hopes is the beginning of a very successful home stand; Bob Bradley was bullish in this week's media day about the club's desire to capture six points over two matches. However, in order to do so, LAFC will have to defeat a team that it has yet to win against in its short history.

LAFC and New York City Football Club have only met in two league matches over LAFC's first three seasons. Both matches ended in 2-2 draws during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. In 2021, NYCFC marches on Banc of California Stadium as the top offense in the eastern conference by measure of scoring; NYCFC's 11 goals are tied for 3rd in MLS, behind only Seattle (14) and Sporting Kansas City (12). The boys in blue have also surrendered only 6 goals so far this season, so the team represents a legitimate challenge for LAFC on both sides of the pitch.

In this seventh episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, breakdown LAFC's victory over the Colorado Rapids in the first of this four-match home stand, preview this weekend's matchup against NYCFC, and talk a little east coast supporter culture at the end.

In the fifth match of the season, Los Angeles Football Club dropped its second consecutive game to the Seattle Sounders by a final score of 2-0. LAFC opened the match well and played Seattle, the current #1 in the western conference, to a scoreless first half, but a set piece goal gave the Sounders the advantage early in the second half and a defense lapse allowed a second Sounders goal soon after.

Since beating Austin F.C. 2-0 on opening day, LAFC has drawn two and now lost two, which leaves the club in unfamiliar territory: through five matches in the 2021 MLS season, Los Angeles Football Club sits in last place in the western conference. However, things are not a dire as they appear.

The offense has opened the campaign with a dry spell to the tune of five goals in five matches, but the defense has only allowed six, leaving the team with a goal differential of -1. The front line is struggling, but the back line is not. If LAFC doesn't become the high octane offense we've seen in the past this season, can a stout defense produce a different kind of playoff team? Or is it just a matter of time before the goals begin to pour in?

Writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson (Back like he never left), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, are back on the weekly podcast grind for the 2021 season. In this sixth episode of the year, our trio looks back on LAFC's 2-0 loss to Seattle, as well as the club's difficult start in general, and offer optimism as to why the next eight matches of the season present the perfect opportunity for a much needed turnaround.