LAFC go top of MLS Western Conference with win over Seattle Sounders
Carlos Vela’s side scored early and hung on to secure a big three points at BMO Stadium.
The biggest game of the midweek round of MLS fixtures came at the BMO Stadium, where LAFC hosted Seattle Sounders in a top-of-the-table clash.
Going into the game LAFC were second in the Western Conference, level on points with leaders St. Louis CITY SC and just a point ahead of Seattle Sounders.
The hosts came out on top in an evenly-matched game, with Mateusz Bogusz getting the only goal inside the first minute. The 21-year-old Polish midfielder scored his first of the season with a deflected effort from outside the box that crept past Sounders’ goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
“We’re really happy with three points,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said after the game.
“It’s not a big step, but just a small one and it was enough to get the three points. Our priority tonight was to get the win and the guys got that right and put in the right work.”
“I think our tactical awareness, and the discipline and the effort, is back,” he added.
"I think this was a small step forward to where we want to be."
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 22, 2023
🎙️ Steve Cherundolo #LAFC pic.twitter.com/HNJadTYCxF
LAFC boss Cherundolo demands more from attackers
LAFC managed to see out the win against a Seattle side who last year became the first MLS side to win the Concacaf Champions League. LAFC go top of the Western Conference, having played a least a game less than their nearest challenges, but Cherundolo was not satisfied with their performance.
“What we’re still working on is the combination play and becoming a little more secure in our play and making better decisions to create more chances in the final third,” he said.
In the post-match press conference he was asked about the performance of Kwadwo Opoku, commonly known as Mahala, the 21-year-old Ghanaian forward.
“If [Mahala] had taken his chance in the final minute I think it’s valid shout that he had a very good game,” Cherundolo said. “But we judge attackers on their productivity in the final third. And it’s not there.”
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“Not just Mala, but with Nathan [Ordaz] too, and with Carlos [Vela]. It was Mateusz [Bogusz] who found the back of the net, had a good game as well. I think it’s an interesting position for him too, playing between the lines.”
Cherundolo’s attacking concerns are born out in the statistics; LAFC have scored just four times in their last eight matches in all competitions.