MLS
Steve Cherundolo rejects Mateusz Bogusz ‘false nine’ description
The LAFC head coach saw the young forward impress in an opening day victory and the Pole looks set to start against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Mateusz Bogusz was one of the stars of the opening weekend of MLS action. The LAFC midfielder started as a central striker for Steve Cherundolo’s side and repaid his coach’s faith with a stunning goal against Seattle Sounders.
The Pole struggled for playing time in 2023 but, with club stalwart Carlos Vela yet to sign a new contract, Bogusz could nail down a place in the starting XI. At previous clubs Bogusz had been an attacking midfielder, leading some to suggest that Cherundolo will use him as a ‘false nine’ at the point of the LAFC attack this year.
In a conversation with the Inside LAFC podcast, Cherundolo made clear that he is no fan of the term.
“No, I’m not sure I use it,” the LAFC boss explained, when asked if he would use ‘false nine’ to describe Bogusz. “It does put a negative touch on the position. And everything about an attacker should be positive and full of energy.”
“So I’m not a huge fan of it, I try to describe positions to players according to their positive attributes and not the negative.”
Bogusz could be key for LAFC in 2024
With Vela’s contract situation stalling towards the end of 2023, many expected the Black and Gold to bring in a new centre forward to fill the void. Spanish striker Mario Gonzalez left for Sporting de Gijón but LAFC did not bring in a direct replacement in the winter transfer market.
Instead, Cherundolo gave Bogusz the opportunity to play as a central attacker in preseason and the Pole has looked rejuvenated by the change of position.
Cherundolo said: “Since coming to LAFC we knew that he could play as an attacker. He’s sort of a ‘tweener’, he’s in between midfielder and attack. That’s exactly why he fits into out model, he can play multiple positions and he interprets each position in an attacking way and makes it his own.”
“In pre-season we had him there and it takes some getting used to and the more Matty was able to stretch defences and make runs in-behind the better he is for us, the more dangerous he looks. He’ll get himself in scoring positions to get goals for us.”
Can Mateusz Bogusz be the Carlos Vela replacement?
Carlos Vela is an undisputed LAFC legend. He signed as the club’s first Designated Player in August 2017 and led the team to the Supporters’ Shield in 2019 and MLS Cup in 2022.
Speaking last week LAFC president John Thorrington said that he is hopeful that the Mexican can be tempted back to BMO Stadium for the 2024 campaign.
“We’re still in conversation with Carlos,” Thorrington said. “I would love to be able to find a way to make it work for him to return to LAFC.”
“It’s by no means a lack of desire on our part. That’s for sure. I mean, Carlos is the face of our organization, has been the cornerstone of what we’ve built here. And we certainly are all well aware of that.”
Vela was the centrepiece for LAFC throughout the club’s first six years in existence but his departure at the end of 2023 may have given Bogusz the chance to dislodge the former MLS MVP from the starting XI. If Bogusz can maintain the level of his opening day performance he could be the man who replaces the most important player in LAFC franchise history.