LAFC goes for club-record sixth straight win tonight
Since joining Major League Soccer in 2018, the Los Angeles Football Club has dominated expansion teams that followed them into what is now a 28-team league.
LAFC can stay perfect in six tries against newcomers when Charlotte FC pays its first visit to Banc of California Stadium tonight.
Through 24 matches, the first-year group lingers under the playoff line, clustered with six teams three points apart for the final two Eastern Conference postseason spots.
Charlotte (9-13-2, 29 points) has shown itself willing to commit numbers into the box whenever it can. To charge up its offensive transition the club has stepped up as one of the most effective pressing teams in MLS.
“Certainly if you judge them by the amount of times they press, it is quite impressive,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, whose team can set a franchise record for consecutive wins with its sixth tonight.
Collecting five points from 12 away matches, including consecutive defeats that featured seven total goals allowed, Charlotte has done alright out west, winning in Houston and playing to a scoreless draw at Colorado.
“There's plenty of video, and the wonderful thing about this league is there are no secrets, so I think both teams should know each other very well without having had a chance to play against each other live,” Cherundolo said. “I'm not sure that makes a difference. It's a good team with a clear idea of how to play. Not dissimilar to other teams in the league, so we will have seen something along the lines of what they'll bring (today) but obviously not exactly.”
As the homestretch of its first season comes into view, Charlotte's experience against the Supporters' Shield leaders might not seem as pedestrian.
In MLS, parity comes as a result of the league's competitive and financial structure. For all of 2022, LAFC has stood tallest on the field and in the front office. With its fifth straight league win, a 4-1 road win against Real Salt Lake that sent LAFC (16-43, 51 points) into the MLS All-Star break six points clear and holding a game in hand over its nearest competitors,
Cherundolo does not need his team preoccupied by what it's already done.
“The key starts with the mentality of trying to win wherever we are,” he said. “That's been great all season.
“The secret is always looking forward to the next moment, not just week to week but also in the game moment to moment and not being caught up in what just happened but looking forward. I think that's important in our line of work.”
For young forward Kwadwo “Mahala” Opoku, who started four of the five matches during the team's current stretch, the firstyear LAFC head coach has rubbed off and freed him to play up to his ability.
“Relax, do it,” Cherundolo told him.
Mahala responded with five goals and three assists and is an important piece of the deepest set of attackers in the league.
“I can say everyone is ready to start. Whenever you get an opportunity you grab it with your two hands,” Mahala said. “So I can say I'm doing my best to get playing time.”
Designated Player Denis Bouanga is not yet in L.A., but when he arrives he'll press for playing time, too.
The club is working through Bouanga's immigration status. When available, Cherundolo expects him to be a quick participant inside a group that has become increasingly dangerous as it integrates players acquired throughout the transfer window.
Midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, left, and LAFC look to get a victory over Charlotte FC tonight.
Today: Charlotte at LAFC, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 13, ESPN+