It’s always incredible to me how many people buy into the idea that second place is the “first loser”. Obviously a disappointing result in the Final, but seems disingenuous for so many people both locally and nationally to be taking this loss as an opportunity to bag on LAFC. From the way both supporters and media members have reacted to the loss you would think LAFC is this fundamentally flawed team. To me that takes away from what they achieved in this tournament. Going to Costa Rica and winning 3-0 is incredible. Bouanaga’s performances against the Whitecaps were amazing. Beating a really strong Philly team again only solidified the MLS Cup victory. I Can both be disappointed in the result yesterday and appreciative of the moments that led to them playing in the Final.
IMO in my five + years of attending LAFC games I’ve never felt more excitement in the crowd at the start of the game. Hats off to the 3252 for that amazing tifo.
As I said after the first game I do believe Dolo was out coached. Understand his perspective on using 5 in the back to counter the overloads that were creating so many problems in Leon, but it left a huge gap in the midfield. Kirk and Josh on the counterpress pod nailed the weakness it created for LAFC, and their inability to press and win 2nd balls in that formation. Once LAFC corrected that error Leon went into full poop housery mode, and LAFC ran out of time. I do think that starting in the 4-3-3 would have made a difference, but hindsight is always 20/20.
But again, Dolo being out coached in one matchup doesn’t take away from all the other games and matchups where he succeeded in out coaching the opposing manager. I am more than confident in his ability to learn from this experience and I do believe the team will make a run in League’s Cup.
I also disagree with Dolo about the salary cap rules preventing MLS teams from fully competing with Liga Mx. Maybe I’m blinded by my love for this squad, but I honestly don’t see where there was a talent gap between the teams. Again it just came down to execution. I mean Man City lost to Chelsea in the 2021 UCL Final despite being a superior team. Finals can be unpredictable and trophies are hard to win. This loss just makes me appreciate the past wins that much more.
I think my only counterpoint would be a the furry 20 mins, it was LAFC winning second balls and putting León under pressure. The 3 CBs were balancing the 2 mids well. Then Davila and Mena started dropping off more and interchanging. Also, it was strange how much the level dropped after the soft goal - Ilie giving away possession after kickoff was bizarre. So my take would be LAFC made a change to start the game. León adjusted. Then LAFC adjusted again. It was punch and counterpunch. I’m not sure it was anyone being outcoached. I think both coaches put their players in the best spots and adjusted but León played much better.
My only concern moving forward..! the lack of precision, is unbelievable how often they give the ball back, I strongly believe that made the biggest difference against Leon..! is hard to build an offensive when constantly you have to be back peddling to regain the ball and to loose it again, it always leaves players out position and opens spaces for the other team, also our defenders need to spend a lot of time practicing defensive heading they just stick their head out just to clear the ball with no direction at all , The team needs a true #9 someone can retain the ball and open spaces and be constantly roaming the area and keep defenders at bay, and for sure another offensive creative player, some one that can take some of the pressure of Vela and help create chances.. Quick transition can't be the answer all the time, especially when the opposing team controls the ball like Leon did, at the end LAFC had no answers on how to build a good offense, it was repetitive and predictable... the lost hurts a lot! but is big learning lesson..
On a side note , it was sad to see the crowd boo Vela on his way out..!
Another creative player/scorer to shoulder the load definitely seems to be a need. Not sure it needs to specifically be a 9. But while Bogusz and Biuk work towards their potential, definitely need a player that can impact the game now.
Was it you, Vince, who asked the question about Giannis and the F-word 😅
I’ve got a pin with your name on it.
I hate to say it but from within the 3252 we came off flighty after losing hope after the soft goal, and the time ticking on. Could be a money grab, lots of people priced out of seats. Many people probably cashed out and I’m not sure I blame them. But if we had gone as hard as we normally do, getting louder when going down, and not wasting energy griping at missed shots or missed calls, I think the team would have had that sort of support that the home field advantage usually provides. Clearly a lot of Mexican and Leon fans in attendance. Still, everyone has a lot to learn.
Thanks always for your great work. Really hoping to sit with you at a game sometime. Loved your watch along with the happy/sad footie guys 😜🙃
It was me. I’m fascinated by how professional athletes at the highest levels talk about/deal with disappointment. I think they take it harder than people realize but also talk about it differently to keep themselves motivated.
I’ll try to keep that in mind and use it to help motivate my fellow fans when the times are tough. Thanks always for your openness and generosity of spirit and soccer wisdom.
It's going to be a rough month of June. Luckily the team built up some equity in the "points bank" before the final. But Palencia and Long look like they'll miss a few matches or more. A lot of guys have already put in a lot of minutes. I think we're going to need to prepare for a bit of a drop.
Hey Vince - the game was a bummer for sure. But I have a question. You know people inside the team. Is this organization ever going to do anything about these losers who constantly throw objects at the players in these big games? Besides last night, it’s been against RSL the first year, Seattle the second year, Galaxy and Philly last year. It’s really embarrassing for the rest of us that are good fans and just want to cheer for LAFC. Thanks.
The people caught throwing things receive a stadium ban and possible criminal charges. It’s a tricky problem because it’s clearly something that’s happening all around the world - we saw it in León, too. It’s not just a few people or even the same people every time. I’m not sure what the solution is but the club does it’s part to punish those responsible.
I was at the game last night. For me the worse aspect of the evening was not losing the game, but seeing the lack of basic soccer skills - speed, passing, trapping, dribbling, shooting - all poorly performed by LAFC. So Dolo is right - we need better players and more of them to be really impactful.
It’s always incredible to me how many people buy into the idea that second place is the “first loser”. Obviously a disappointing result in the Final, but seems disingenuous for so many people both locally and nationally to be taking this loss as an opportunity to bag on LAFC. From the way both supporters and media members have reacted to the loss you would think LAFC is this fundamentally flawed team. To me that takes away from what they achieved in this tournament. Going to Costa Rica and winning 3-0 is incredible. Bouanaga’s performances against the Whitecaps were amazing. Beating a really strong Philly team again only solidified the MLS Cup victory. I Can both be disappointed in the result yesterday and appreciative of the moments that led to them playing in the Final.
IMO in my five + years of attending LAFC games I’ve never felt more excitement in the crowd at the start of the game. Hats off to the 3252 for that amazing tifo.
As I said after the first game I do believe Dolo was out coached. Understand his perspective on using 5 in the back to counter the overloads that were creating so many problems in Leon, but it left a huge gap in the midfield. Kirk and Josh on the counterpress pod nailed the weakness it created for LAFC, and their inability to press and win 2nd balls in that formation. Once LAFC corrected that error Leon went into full poop housery mode, and LAFC ran out of time. I do think that starting in the 4-3-3 would have made a difference, but hindsight is always 20/20.
But again, Dolo being out coached in one matchup doesn’t take away from all the other games and matchups where he succeeded in out coaching the opposing manager. I am more than confident in his ability to learn from this experience and I do believe the team will make a run in League’s Cup.
I also disagree with Dolo about the salary cap rules preventing MLS teams from fully competing with Liga Mx. Maybe I’m blinded by my love for this squad, but I honestly don’t see where there was a talent gap between the teams. Again it just came down to execution. I mean Man City lost to Chelsea in the 2021 UCL Final despite being a superior team. Finals can be unpredictable and trophies are hard to win. This loss just makes me appreciate the past wins that much more.
Well said.
I think my only counterpoint would be a the furry 20 mins, it was LAFC winning second balls and putting León under pressure. The 3 CBs were balancing the 2 mids well. Then Davila and Mena started dropping off more and interchanging. Also, it was strange how much the level dropped after the soft goal - Ilie giving away possession after kickoff was bizarre. So my take would be LAFC made a change to start the game. León adjusted. Then LAFC adjusted again. It was punch and counterpunch. I’m not sure it was anyone being outcoached. I think both coaches put their players in the best spots and adjusted but León played much better.
My only concern moving forward..! the lack of precision, is unbelievable how often they give the ball back, I strongly believe that made the biggest difference against Leon..! is hard to build an offensive when constantly you have to be back peddling to regain the ball and to loose it again, it always leaves players out position and opens spaces for the other team, also our defenders need to spend a lot of time practicing defensive heading they just stick their head out just to clear the ball with no direction at all , The team needs a true #9 someone can retain the ball and open spaces and be constantly roaming the area and keep defenders at bay, and for sure another offensive creative player, some one that can take some of the pressure of Vela and help create chances.. Quick transition can't be the answer all the time, especially when the opposing team controls the ball like Leon did, at the end LAFC had no answers on how to build a good offense, it was repetitive and predictable... the lost hurts a lot! but is big learning lesson..
On a side note , it was sad to see the crowd boo Vela on his way out..!
Another creative player/scorer to shoulder the load definitely seems to be a need. Not sure it needs to specifically be a 9. But while Bogusz and Biuk work towards their potential, definitely need a player that can impact the game now.
Was it you, Vince, who asked the question about Giannis and the F-word 😅
I’ve got a pin with your name on it.
I hate to say it but from within the 3252 we came off flighty after losing hope after the soft goal, and the time ticking on. Could be a money grab, lots of people priced out of seats. Many people probably cashed out and I’m not sure I blame them. But if we had gone as hard as we normally do, getting louder when going down, and not wasting energy griping at missed shots or missed calls, I think the team would have had that sort of support that the home field advantage usually provides. Clearly a lot of Mexican and Leon fans in attendance. Still, everyone has a lot to learn.
Thanks always for your great work. Really hoping to sit with you at a game sometime. Loved your watch along with the happy/sad footie guys 😜🙃
It was me. I’m fascinated by how professional athletes at the highest levels talk about/deal with disappointment. I think they take it harder than people realize but also talk about it differently to keep themselves motivated.
I’ll try to keep that in mind and use it to help motivate my fellow fans when the times are tough. Thanks always for your openness and generosity of spirit and soccer wisdom.
Well said, Vince.
My favorite from Steve’s presser yesterday, “ We're disappointed and it hurts, as it should."
Remember the sting, and use it to fight for more. LAFC will be okay.
Steve was on point. Just to be able to be coherent and answer questions in that moment without losing your cool has to be so tough.
We just got beat...plain and simple. Just hoping it doesn't affect the remainder of the season.
It's going to be a rough month of June. Luckily the team built up some equity in the "points bank" before the final. But Palencia and Long look like they'll miss a few matches or more. A lot of guys have already put in a lot of minutes. I think we're going to need to prepare for a bit of a drop.
Hey Vince - the game was a bummer for sure. But I have a question. You know people inside the team. Is this organization ever going to do anything about these losers who constantly throw objects at the players in these big games? Besides last night, it’s been against RSL the first year, Seattle the second year, Galaxy and Philly last year. It’s really embarrassing for the rest of us that are good fans and just want to cheer for LAFC. Thanks.
The people caught throwing things receive a stadium ban and possible criminal charges. It’s a tricky problem because it’s clearly something that’s happening all around the world - we saw it in León, too. It’s not just a few people or even the same people every time. I’m not sure what the solution is but the club does it’s part to punish those responsible.
I was at the game last night. For me the worse aspect of the evening was not losing the game, but seeing the lack of basic soccer skills - speed, passing, trapping, dribbling, shooting - all poorly performed by LAFC. So Dolo is right - we need better players and more of them to be really impactful.