TAKEAWAYS | Considering The Conditions
Delays, extreme weather conditions, and goals all play their part in LAFC's first loss of the season 3-0 at Real Salt Lake.
Whooooooo, boy! If I was cautious about drawing conclusions from just one match at the start of the season, what am I supposed to do with this one?
If you’re an avid collector of snow globes, this match was one to put on the mantle. Not wind. Not lightning. Not even blizzard-like conditions were going to keep this match from happening.
My “Takeaways” are an exercise in the dissection of the finer points on the pitch following each LAFC match. Usually, following a 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake - a team LAFC has dominated to the tune of 13 wins in 16 matches - there would be plenty to break down. But if you were watching this match on Apple TV, you’ll note that right up top, I borrowed the phrase Max Bretos apologized for using often on the broadcast: Considering the conditions.
Consider that your disclaimer.
Here are the Takeaways from LAFC’s 3-0 loss in Utah:
To Play Or Not To Play
The two camps have taken sides. They are firmly entrenched. You’re either of the opinion both teams were affected so just play the game OR it’s dangerous and reckless to continue a match under those conditions.
As with most things in sports, which camp you settle into likely depends on what colors you’re wearing - for the record, I’m leaning towards the “dangerous and reckless” mostly because the teams aren’t at full fitness this early in the season and serious injuries weren’t out of the question.
One opinion I’m not seeing is that it simply wasn’t good soccer to watch.
Ultimately, professional sports are entertainment. A match in which the viewers’ ability to see the ball or players deteriorated by the minute makes me think this wasn’t the best advertisement for MLS - a shoutout to the viewers in the stadium, they shouldn’t have had to pay for possible frostbite.
MLS matches are streamed around the world by Apple. I can’t understand wanting to package a match in this way as an advertisement for the league even if congested schedules and such have to be considered.
Was there novelty? Sure. Entertainment, great viewing, and the sport at the highest level? Not even close.
MLS already has its fair share of hurdles being taken seriously around the world. Maybe we don’t give the naysayers more ammo here.
Question Marks Remain (Considering The Conditions)
Last week, I circled the LAFC midfield as one to come back to over the next few weeks. While they appeared to be better with the ball and in buildup situations through just one match, I worried about their ability to function together and limit space.
Steve Cherundolo kept his midfield three of Ilie Sánchez, Eduard Atuesta, and Timothy Tillman intact for Matchday 2. Perfect chance for us to assess their development from week to week, right? Well… consider the conditions.
On the first goal, Atuesta is caught in a triangle of Diego Luna, Brian Ojeda, and Chukuwuemeka Eneli in midfield. Atuesta is chasing a bit here as his teammates transition back to defense - Ilie and Tillman are forming a nice two behind him though, allowing him to be aggressive - and that RSL three puts him in a merry-go-round, bypassing him with quick one and two-touch passing. That gives Luna ample time and space to slot a pass into Chicho Arango and now LAFC’s midfield is completely out of the play and the back four are running towards their own goal. Not ideal.
But Omar Campos (more on him later) is in a position to make a play. Campos keeps pace with Andrés Gómez and his body positioning gives him the opportunity to be first to the ball, which he is but “considering the conditions” he gets a bit unlucky as he slips in the process, allowing Gómez a free run at the LAFC goal.
By the time RSL scored its second and third goals, the amount of snow on the field and overall conditions were just too poor to pass any real judgment. Could LAFC have gotten a little more pressure on the ball in midfield in both cases? Probably, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Both times midfielders were in a position i.e. within a few yards to apply pressure but had to be cautious of either coming in too hot and risking a foul or simply sliding by a player.
My cautious takeaway was that the midfield three was actually better in this match staying connected and controlling the game at times despite the scoreline (and considering the conditions). But overall, I’m not ready to raise any red flags after this match. I’ll have a close eye on the midfield once again next week.
No Good, Very Bad Day
*Record Scratch*
*Freeze Frame*
“Yep, that’s me. You might be wondering how I found myself facedown in the snow as my opponent is clean in on goal and scores. Last week, I was on top of the world after a Man of the Match level performance in my debut for LAFC. And viewer, let me tell you, this was only the start of my no good, very bad day.”
That was my first-person theatrical retelling of Omar Campos’s match against RSL. The 21-year-old had a day to forget. But considering the conditions, I’m not too worried about him.
A rollercoaster of performances is to be expected with young players. The trick is managing the player’s mental state and knowing when to give them a break without hurting their confidence.
Campos is not your average young player though. He made his debut at 18 and had nearly 70 first-division starts before 21. He’s been on this ride before.
If there is a young player I think you can count on to put a bad match behind them, especially considering the conditions, Campos is your guy.
If this is acceptable playing conditions for MLS, at what point do conditions become unacceptable? How many inches of snow does MLS consider good conditions vs unacceptable playing conditions.
I'm guessing, after nearly three decades, MLS has still not given this any thought.
A game to forget. Was hoping it would have been more like the Philly game played last year in unplayable conditions than a loss, but as you said nothing to learn from this. Guess this is an example to use for those who say the supporter shield doesn’t matter as much as MLS Cup. Luckily Seattle still looked toothless against Austin, but unfortunately Carson does look threatening this year. Hopefully this game doesn’t haunt LAFC at the end of the season.