Cracks appear as LAFC fall to third successive MLS defeat

“Too many of our players are not performing at their peak level and that’s my responsibility. We’ll figure that out to make sure the guys are ready to go next week in Portland and make sure they’re turning in top performances again. Playing to their ability, I should say.”

These were the words of LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo after his team’s 1-3 defeat at BMO Stadium last Sunday (3 September) at the hands of a Messi inspired Inter Miami. A loss that was more than just the Herons leaving California with maximum points, but possibly a sign that the recent MLS powerbase maybe set for a shift to South Florida.

Third loss for LAFC

The LAFC manager however will have been disappointed on Saturday night in Oregon after his side failed to deliver a top performance as they lost for the third MLS game in succession falling 2-0 to the playoff chasing Portland Timbers. The Black and Gold now trail Western Conference table toppers St.Louis by seven points with the side from LA’s next two games instrumental in shaping how the post season may look for the current MLS champions. Next Sunday, Cherundolo’s men face LA Galaxy in another edition of the Los Angeles ‘El Trafico’ derby ahead of a midweek trip to Missouri to face St. Louis SC.

As things stand, LAFC’s initial objective must be a top four finish in the West which would ensure home field advantage in the playoffs. One can’t help but look back at the Concacaf Champions League defeat at the hands of Liga X side Club Leon as the moment when the previously indomitable LAFC started to show signs of vulnerability.

Lacklustre Leagues Cup

Following the CCL final loss, a humbling 4-0 loss to Houston coupled with a 4th of July Pasadena Rose Bowl loss to LA Galaxy also saw the side from Carson retain the El Trafico crown with Carlos Vela a former shadow of the prolific goal scorer with the Mexican striker only finding the target six times in the MLS season as the team embarked on a run of erratic form.

An earlier than anticipated Leagues Cup exit at the hands of Monterrey only served to deepen the wounds for the pre-tournament favourites who were fast tracked into the second round.

Steve Cherundolo is a hero for LAFC fans with the 2022 MLS Cup win and for breaking the record for most victories as a first-year head coach in Major League Soccer history with 21 wins after his side beat the Timbers 2-1 in October of last year but the 44-year-old coach now faces his biggest test since arriving in California as he has to lift his former world beaters at a critical moment of the season.