The preseason comes to a close with a mid-day, mid-week match against Toronto FC, and with that comes Episode 82 of the LAFC Podcast for the People, Defenders of the Banc!
Walker Zimmerman was traded to Nashville SC. We didn’t believe the headline when we read it, either, but it’s true. Yes, it was for a potential record-setting amount of GAM for a defender, but, wow. Just like that, one of the key members of our record setting first two seasons is gone. It felt different than the departures of Tyler, or Lee, or Laurent. But the team presses on without him, and so do we.
Just 6 days from the kickoff of CCL in Guanajuato, LAFC wraps up the 2020 preseason with a solid 3-1 win over Toronto. The start of the match felt a little different, as the Black and Gold played to a crowd much smaller than usual due to the noon kick time on a Wednesday. The pre-match festivities saw the debut of Sunny, the falcon named after Sunset Blvd. After her longer-than-usual flight, and in front of about 6,000 or so, our boys did not disappoint.
Brian Rodriguez got us on the board first on a pass from Carlos, and he nets his 3rd in as many games this preseason. We are really hoping this carries over into the regular season, CCL, and beyond! After Toronto tied things up at 1, it was our MVP’s turn to get in on the action. This time, it wasn’t a left-footed curler as much as it was a straight smash home to put LAFC back up 2-1.
In the 81st minute, another chapter in the LAFC history books was written, as Latif Blessing sets up LAFC Academy product Christian Torres for the goal, the first goal scored by an Academy player in team history. This might just be a preseason match, but it’s moments like this that we can all build on and look optimistically toward the future. Congratulations to the 15 year old on his history making accomplishment.
Also on the episode, there is a Peter-Lee Vassell sighting in Denmark, a Locomotive trains with LAFC, a surprise trialist makes his mark in the final match before it gets real, Imad and Joe share a birthday, and Number Watch 2020 hits Day 64. Oh, and Filly sings Good Charlotte! But don’t worry, no XFL news to be found.
It’s on to Leon for Scarf, and Rome for Filly. Will we return from Leon with a point, three, or the dreaded zero? You’ll have to tune into Episode 83 to find out!
