One More Sleep - MLS Western Conference Semi-Final Preview.

LAFC heads back to the friendly confines of BMO Stadium for a matchup against Peter Vermes-led Sporting Kansas City, the only club to beat LAFC twice at home in the regular season in our club's first 6 years. What we hoped would be a high-scoring match for the Black and GOld quickly turned into a battle of keepers. 

Former MLS Pool keeper and longtime SKC player Tim Melia was outstanding, making huge save after huge save over the course of 90 minutes to keep LAFC off the board. Our best chance likely came in the 84th minute, as David Martinez shook his man, raced up the left side, and... fired his shot high and deep into the 3252 instead of passing it to Denis Bouanga for an absolute sitter and potential game-winning goal. Ugh. Sporting had their opportunities, but nothing really troubling for Hugo Lloris, as he is able to make all 6 necessary stops en route to his first clean sheet.  

Also on this episode, we chat briefly about the re-signing of Bouanga, ponder our squad's depth, and Scarf gets a little too excited about a Dio sighting in Los Angeles. This is Defenders of the Banc, and we hope you enjoy Episode 291!

Despite Filly's rotten luck with his computer the boys give you a preview of LAFC's upcoming match vs SKC. 

It's no Lazy Sunday for the Defenders, as they wake up early Sunday morning to give you all the LAFC news, notes, banter, and a recap of the blizzard that hit Sandy, Utah by the name of Andres Gomez. LAFC gets TKO'd by Salt Lake, 3-0, amid a blustery, winter storm. 

First, the match was delayed 2 hours because of weather. Then, just 3 minutes in, lightning halted the festivities for nearly another hour. But upon restart, the match was essentially over at the half, as Andres Gomez's brace, Chicho's goal and snow angel, and Zac MacMath's MacMastery in net did in LAFC. 

A solid second half by LAFC wasn't enough, but there were bright spots. Kike Olivera looked good throughout, another post by Denis Bouanga, and the LAFC debuts of both David Martinez and Tomas Angel helped to soften the sting of this defeat. 

The orange ball is a harbinger of doom, but we hope this episode of Defenders of the Banc gives you a little comfort after the awful loss! Enjoy Episode 290!

Preview of LAFC's upcoming trip to Sandy, Utah

Season 7 is upon us, and our first match of the new year sees us staring down a familiar foe, the Seattle Sounders. Hugo Lloris is Black and Gold, Eduard Atuesta is BACK in Black and Gold, and Carlos Vela still isn't in Black and Gold. But one thing remains the same: LAFC does NOT lose season openers!

The match began with another banger of a tifo by The 3252, proceeded by Giorgio Chiellini himself as the match's Honorary Falconer. Jordan Morris wasted no time in welcoming Hugo to MLS, as Lloris needed to make a huge save just minutes into the match. For most of the next hour, LAFC was on the front foot, and goals from Timothy (Himothy?) Tillman and Mati Bogusz on either side of the halftime whistle saw the home side off to a 2-0 lead. 

Things got interesting after a Seattle penalty kick saw the away side pull within one, but the Sounders never really mustered much more of a threat. LAFC wins the season opener, 2-1! 

Also on this episode, here's hoping Scarf's theory on Carlos Vela is better than his score prediction, Filly keeps receipts on MLS pundits, and the boys sport retro kits for the first time in several seasons. It feels so good to be back, so please enjoy Episode 289 of Defenders of the Banc!

LAFC AND THE BOYS ARE BACK with the first edition of One More Sleep for Season 7. Filly, Scarf and Hello Kitty preview LAFC's season and home opener against the Seattle Sounders

The boys are back! Both LAFC and the Defenders have finally begun things in 2024. 

On our maiden 2024 voyage, the boys talk three things: Preseason matches, players we've signed, and players who have left. Yes, Maxime Crepeau is gone. So is John McCarthy, Kellyn Acosta, Diego Palacios, Giorgio Chiellini, and many other depth pieces. 

But, oh baby! Eduard Atuesta is back from Palmeiras, David Martinez and Tomas Angel join the attack, and Omar Campos will be playing the role of Chiqui in 2024! And oh by the way, Hugo Lloris will be between the pipes. Yes, the same keeper who won World Cup in 2018 and almost did it again in 2022. 

The season starts in 8 days, our kit drops in 24 hours, and this episode is out NOW! Enjoy Episode 288, and look for our kit rankings episode coming soon!

Ultimately, 2023 did not end with the same Hollywood ending as 2022 did. There was no Gareth Bale miraculous goal, no comeback just in the nick of time, and no major championship trophy hoisted by LAFC this season. Despite chance after chance, the boys in Black and Gold fell just short yet again, losing to the Crew in the MLS Cup Final, 2-1. 

Here on Episode 287, re-live all the agony and the glimmers of hope from that final, 53rd match of the season. Our boys gave it their all, but, despite another Denis Bouanga goal, it wasn't enough. 

Also on this pod, we discuss the possible roster moves in 2024. Will Giorgio Chiellini and Carlos Vela retire? Does Denis stay? What about Chiqui? Can the club re-sign Maxime, and should they re-sign Acosta or Ilie? 

Enjoy the last "This Day In LAFC History" for the 2023 season, the final Angel City Minute, and, of course, one more Filly rant, a long one to start this episode off. It's been an awfully fun, awfully painful ride this season, but we are so grateful to all of you for your continued support. Enjoy the episode!

Filly and Scarf give you the final One more Sleep episode of 2023. This is the big one. The MLS Cup Final Preview. Thank you for being with us all season long. We are ALL Defenders.

It's Episode 286, and on this episode, LAFC finally brings home a trophy! It's not quite the one we were hoping for, but don't worry! We play for that in just 7 days! LAFC is on to the MLS Cup Final after defeating Houston in the Western Conference Final, 2-0!

A near miss by Carlos Vela and a stunning cross from Hector Herrera punctuated a very entertaining first 10 minutes or so, but then LAFC's defense went to work, stifling Houston for the remainder of the first half. Just before the halftime whistle, a perfect Carlos Vela corner finds the head of Giorgio Chiellini. His initial effort was saved, but playoff goal scorer turned hero Ryan Hollingshead was there to put it away to give LAFC the lead just before halftime. 

In the second half, Houston certainly had a lot of the ball, but nothing to show for it. LAFC's defense put up yet another goose egg, but not without the help of Ilie Sanchez taking a ball off our own goal line. A late own goal provided the margin as LAFC clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Final!

It's on to Columbus!