Come one, come all, to Episode 203 of “The Most LAFC Podcast on Earth,” Defenders of the Banc! On most nights, our first match in Nashville, and certainly our first meeting against Walker Zimmerman since we traded him to Nashville in 2020, would take center stage. But this was not most nights, LAFC faithful.
Ever since the signings of Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini, LAFC supporters wondered when and where they would their debut, and all signs pointed to Nashville. Sure enough, announced in the 18 was the Welsh superstar, Bale, and starting next to Jesus David Murillo on the back line was Chiellini. Tonight would be another in what has been a long line of “pinch me moments” this season for the Black and Gold.
LAFC struck first, off the foot of, who else, Chicho Arango. The play began with a long pass from Chiellini to Vela, who back-heeled it to Hollingshead. Ryan’s pass crosses the goal box to Chicho, who slots it home from a tough angle to give LAFC the 1-0 lead. All was fine until a silly foul by Ilie in the box on C.J. Sapong. After VAR confirmed the foul, the dangerous Hany Mukhtar stepped up to the spot and buried it, knotting the match at 1 heading into halftime.
The second stanza has belonged to LAFC all season, and this match would be no different. Just a minute into the half, Carlos Vela drops an absolute DIME to Hollingshead, whose extraordinary effort literally puts the ball on frame. It caroms off the post to Cifu, and Jose hammers it home for his 6th of the year to give LAFC the lead for good, 2-1.
Among the other highlights of the second half: Chiellini comes off at the hour mark for Eddie Segura, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi makes his return to the pitch for Mahala in the 84th, and OMG Gareth Bale makes his LAFC debut! In the 72nd minute, Chicho gives way to Bale, and all of GEODIS Park, not just the LAFC supporters, rose in applause and admiration. Gareth Bale is officially Black and Gold!
The boys are definitely up to their usual knuckleheadedness on 203: We do a deep dive on the Butt family and H-E-B (not in Family Guy), explore Adrian Fein’s time at Hamburger (also not in Family Guy), chat about Peterhead in Scotland (still not in Family Guy), and recount the inspiration for “Filly and the Scarf” (which IS in Family Guy!). Wow. We highlight the All Stars and TOTW-ers, the Las Vegas Lights, Angel City, and even Red Card Roger! We loved making 203, and we hope you’ll join us soon for Episode 204!