Wait, didn’t we just do this? Just 48 hours after a 5-0 shellacking of Charlotte, LAFC was back at it again as Wayne Rooney and the club from our nation’s capital, DC United, took the 300-mile journey West to the Banc. While this wouldn’t end 5-0, 3 points is 3 points, and LAFC runs their winning streak to 7 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory on a strange Tuesday night.
The first half was a series of missed chances and solid runs ending in disappointing finishes for LAFC. DC may not have had many chances, but there were enough to keep you on your toes. But everything would change at about the hour mark, and the Black and Gold would find magic in Mahala once more.
After picking up his first yellow of the match just 10 minutes earlier, DC’s Steven Birnbaum collected a second at the 60-minute mark, resulting in some quality time with Team Security Paul as he was escorted off the pitch. Two minutes later, Mahala would sub in for Brian Rodriguez, injecting LAFC with a much-needed spark. Five minutes into his shift, Mahala would find paydirt, as passes from Carlos and Chicho found their mark for an easy tap-in for Opoku. LAFC would go up 1-0, and that would be all Maxime Crepeau and co. would need. Though it was much closer than predicted. LAFC walks out with all 3 points and their sights still set on breaking records and setting standards.
Also on this episode, Jamie Jarrin, Panda, and Nina all share the pitch pregame, keeper kits are here, Chiellini and Bale are out, and we look back at a moment in LAFC history that may have set the bar unrealistically high for a young Brian Rodriguez. Enjoy Episode 209, and stay tuned for a fantastic interview with DJ Flict on Episode 210!