LAFC shuts out Seattle for much-needed win
Doing everything it can to reach the MLS Cup playoffs, the Los Angeles Football Club is unbeaten in five straight matches following a dominant 3-0 performance against the Western Conference-leading Seattle Sounders.
With the rest of the league playing today, LAFC and Seattle (17-8-7, 58 points) stepped on the field at Banc of California Stadium with all eyes on them fighting for a critical three points in the 32nd match of the year for both clubs.
LAFC (12-12-8, 44 points) snatched the lead in the 21st minute when a pass by Raheem Edwards found Brian Rodriguez streaking behind the Seattle backline. The 21-year-old Uruguayan forward toed his shot underneath Seattle goalkeeper Sefan Frei.
LAFC coach Bob Bradley’s team pushed its counter-press and clamped down inside the visitor’s half of the field.
LAFC nearly picked up a second goal in the 38th minute, when Rodriguez synced up with red-hot forward “Chicho” Arango and Latif Blessing for a weaving sequence that required a save off the goalline by defender Nouhou Tolo as Rodriguez was well positioned at the far post.
A turnover near the midfield
Los Angeles FC midfielder Latif Blessing (7) celebrates his goal with defender Mamadou Fall during the first half against the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday in Los Angeles. LAFC beat the Sounders 3-0.
LAFC 3, SEATTLE 0
Up next: Vancouver at LAFC, Tuesday, 7:30p.m., BSSC
line allowed Raheem Edwards room to advance the ball, which he did to Kim Moon-Hwan on the right flank as Blessing slipped unseen to the near post.
The South Korean defender dropped a chipped pass a step inside the six-yard box that set up Blessing’s easy half-volley.
The Western Conference leaders’ push soon subsided and in
the 51st minute Arango ended any doubt about the outcome.
Connecting on his 13th goal in 15 appearances since joining LAFC in August, the Colombian forward hammered a dipping shot from well outside the box to beat Frei.
Blackman, the 6-foot-7 English goalkeeper who took over for Tomas Romero five games ago, made elegant saves when he was called upon in front of the 3252 supporters in the North End, who, went wild when Carlos Vela returned to action for the first time since Aug. 21.