carlos vela

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!

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!

It wasn't supposed to go like this. A loss to Charlotte on the heels of Messi coming to town? Messi Magic overwhelming LAFC at home? Portland punishing LAFC at Providence Park? No, no, and NO. Here on Episode 274, we try to figure out what's rotten in the state of the Black and Gold as LAFC falls in Portland, 2-0. 

Yes, LAFC came into the match without five players due to international duty, including talisman Denis Bouanga and the sizzling Cristian Olivera. And yes, LAFC was down their most important player (according to Scarf) Giorgio Chiellini, and his backline mate, Ryan Hollingshead, both due to injury. But surely the remainder of players in Black and Gold, or in this case, Smokescreen Green, would be enough to handle a Portland side well under the playoff line. Right? No. Not even close.

Goals from defenders Larrys Mabiala and Claudio Bravo on either side of halftime punctuated a spirited and collective effort from Portland as LAFC failed to record a shot on target for the first hour. Mateusz Bogusz did all he could to keep us afloat, but there wasn't nearly enough offensively time and time again. LAFC are now mired in a three-match losing streak as Carson heads to BMO. 

Also on this episode, please note: THIS ONE IS A SOLO SCARF ENDEAVOR! Filly is getting ready to call matches in Ontario, so it's just a man who likes to be alone with his thoughts. So much so that Scarf FORGOT the intro and outro! Oops. 

Also on this episode, Scarf poses the question: Have you ever seen Evander and The Weeknd in the same room at the same time? Are they not doppelgangers? 

Enjoy this one before the semi-milestone effort of 275 episodes! 

For the 1st time OMS is available via your favorite podcast platforms because this game is important. As per usual, Filly and The Scarf preview LAFC's upcoming match vs Inter Miami.

It's Episode 272 of Defenders of the Banc, now heard in Fiji! You know what they don't have much of in Fiji? TURF! LAFC falls to yet another inferior club on turf, this time in Charlotte. Listen as we recap and rant about the road loss. 

LAFC played a dismal first half, falling behind 1-0 after a series of turnovers and not doing a whole lot on the offensive end. When was the last time you heard of an LAFC club completing 90 passes in a half?

Just after the hour mark, Dolo would make his first move, and it was a good one. Subbing on Olivera, Fufu, and Acosta seemed to get the ball moving, and soon after, Super Mario Gonzalez would open his account after a great pass from Denis. The lead was short-lived, however, as a set of Charlotte subs had their desired effect. The Rangers legend, Scott Arfield, pounced on a rebound after a solid save by J-Mac, and LAFC found themselves down a goal yet again. 

Despite a series of solid efforts by Denis and Olivera, it was too little, too late, as LAFC falls in Charlotte. 

Also on this episode, Filly takes us on a trip through Fiji, Scarf rants about our upcoming gauntlet in September, and the boys are waking up very early for eggs tomorrow. Good luck, El Segundo, and enjoy Episode 272!

Finally... MLS has come back... to BMO Stadium! It had been quite a while since LAFC had played an MLS regular season match at BMO, and boy did it feel good to be back! Olly's flying, Carlos is scoring, smoke is popping in the North End... the good times are back! LAFC hammers Colorado 4-0. 

Though it may have been a somber day in LA as we remember Kobe Bryant on his birthday, LAFC did all they could to raise the spirits of Angelinos with their performance. It was a barrage early, as Matty Bogusz, Carlos Vela, and Ryan Hollingshead gave the home side plenty to cheer about in the first half. 

After halftime, Colorado came out swinging, just not scoring. Despite dominating the first 12-15 minutes of the second half, they couldn't pull one back. Cristian Olivera subbed on in the 64th minute, and, wow, what a debut. Quickly establishing himself as a threat, he put one away in the 83', the Scarf Minute, to salt away the comfortable 4-0 result. It's the 8th clean sheet for J-Mac. 

Also on this episode, Filly apologizes for a fight song, Scarf rants about undercutting, and the boys can't wait for their date with Olly on the 31st! Who did Scarf use to trick or treat with? How did Filly stump the Scarf? And how were the burgers, tacos, and pizza? Find out the answers to all these and more on Episode 271! 

As the All-Star Break looms, LAFC heads north to take on the Loons. Playing their 33rd match of the season (that's a record), the Black and Gold's affair with Minnesota is our focal point for Episode 267. 

The first half belonged to Emmanuel Reynoso, Minnesota's talented talisman. Despite plenty of opportunities, the home side was still scoreless after 20 minutes. Carlos Vela's beautiful run, freed by a great ball from Stipe Biuk, put LAFC up for a whole three minutes before exquisite passing from Minnesota found Reynoso for the equalizer. From there on out, other than a couple of solid saves from J-Mac and near misses by Hlongwane and Hollingshead, the second half played out without too much drama. Both sides split a point as we head to the break. 

Also on this episode, Mahala opens his account in Montreal, LAFC receives money from FIFA, and the GOAT is pink. Yes, silly season is about to be upon us, as Lionel Messi joins the ranks of the 29th place club in MLS, Inter Miami. Here. We. Go.

Episode 262 - No Ferreira, No Problem As Dallas Wins 2-0

LAFC looked to get back on the right side of things as they head to take on a Dallas club decimated by injuries and international duty. After a perplexing loss to Vancouver, this couldn't have been a better time to take on Dallas... right?

Wrong. Despite missing Jesus Ferreira, Paul Arriola, Obrian, and others, Dallas took over the second half (after Chiellini and Tillman came off), kept LAFC at bay, and walked out of the sweltering humidity of Frisco with a 2-0 win. 

7 losses in 10 matches is the prelude to Carson at the Rose Bowl. LAFC falls to second in the Western Conference as questions must get louder about a true 9. The transfer window looms, and we need bodies and rest. Also on this episode, it's Scarf who rants against the antiquated MLS as we get set to play 33 matches by July 15. Yes, that's a record by a WIDE margin. 

We also take time to remember Chris "Spanto" Printup, founder of Born x Raised and beloved Angelino. Rest well, Spanto. 

Tired and weary from road trips, injuries, international breaks, and the most impacted schedule this side of Europe, our boys return home to face a familiar foe, the Houston Dynamo, who blew us out of Texas with their 4-0 win. Would tonight be different? Only a little. 

We give up another goal within the first 30', as Micael is able to absolutely hammer one home off a rebound from a magnificent save from J-Mac. LAFC looks to answer for the remainder of the half, but nothing comes of it. In fact, our only shot on target occurred in Stoppage time right before the halftime whistle. 

With little to show offensively, Mahaa's back-breaking red just before the 80' all but put the match out of reach. The slide continues, and LAFC falls, 1-0.

Also on this episode: The boys put their faces near three prestigious trophies at once and take pictures next to the Bayern bear, Bernie! Hopefully you enjoy this episode more than the match...

Fresh off the milestone of hitting 250 episodes, the boys are right back at it. On Episode 251, we relive recent history, but we switch roles! Two weeks ago, a late penalty doomed LAFC, 2-1, against San Jose. Tonight, a late penalty doomed San Jose, 2-1! It's revenge szn!

The match could not have started any better, but Stipe Biuk opening his account with LAFC just 2:17 into the match. That goal would hold up through the first half, as LAFC carried the lead into the locker room. Just 6 minutes into half number two, however, Miguel Trauco caught everyone napping with a combination shot-cross that knuckled its way into the back of the net and leveled the match at 1. 

Fast forward to deep within second-half stoppage: LAFC gets the benefit of VAR, and a handball by Tanner Beason at the top of the box gifts our captain, Carlos Vela, a chance at the spot. He drives home the winner, and just like that, LAFC is at the top of the table in the West. 

Also on this episode, we celebrate the birth of The 3252! It seems like only yesterday. An old friend becomes a frienemy in San Diego, Cifuentes transfer rumors heat up, and, apparently, our Pride hat is just too much for someone to handle. Enjoy 251, because 252 is coming hot on it's heels!

It was bound to happen sometime. LAFC suffers its first loss of the 2023 MLS campaign, falling to San Jose at Levi's Stadium, 2-1, behind a brace from Cristian Espinoza. Hear all about it on Episode 247.

With Filly (and Panda) in the stands, LAFC traveled up to Santa Clara, CA to the home of Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers to face the San Jose Earthquakes. LAFC was behind the eight-ball early, as an 8' goal from Espinoza gave the home crowd something to froth over. LAFC would respond behind, who else, Denis Bouanga, who pounced on a rebound to slot his 8th of the year past the San Jose keeper. 

In what was a relatively tame effort from San Jose, a moment was all they needed, and they found it in the 81'. Denil Maldonado committed a clear foul on a streaking Jeremy Ebobisse in the box, gifting a PK to Espinoza and the lead to San Jose. LAFC couldn't find an equalizer, and just like that, the unbeaten run to start the year was over. LAFC falls, 2-1. 

Also on this episode, Filly is staying in the Cabin in the Woods, Scarf bemoans the coverage on Apple TV, and a player on San Jose does his best Christian Ramirez impression. Enjoy Episode 247!

LAFC has made history. Again. With a 3-0 pummeling of the Union at BMO Stadium on Tuesday, May 2, the Black and Gold punch their ticket to their second CCL final in four years. On Episode 245, relive the historic win as Filly and Scarf take you through all of the heart-pounding moments! 

It took LAFC a mere 13 minutes to announce their presence with authority, as Timothy Tillman jumped on a rebound from a beautifully executed corner kick to give the home side a 1-0 lead. A very tense first half saw LAFC take that one goal lead into the locker room, but the fireworks had just begun. 

Just before the hour mark, Union defender Olivier Mbaizo earns his second yellow of the match, and the entire tenor of the night changed. LAFC went on the attack, and, gradually, the Union wore down. Mahala's hammer in the 82nd minute preceded another Bouanga banger in the 90th, and that was all she wrote for the Union. LAFC dominate the visitors, 3-0, to set a date with either Leon or Tigres in the CCL Final! 

Also on 245, LAFC is headed to beautiful Seaside, CA, Scarf buys a new license plate, Filly coins the word "ethersphere", and the MLS has a major scheduling problem on their hands! What are we talking about? Give us a listen! In the meantime, we're going to dig out our passports!

It's Episode 244, and it's the first half of the rematch everyone has been waiting for: Leg 1 of the Semifinals of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League tilt between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union. 

Thanks to a pair of superb saves by John McCarthy, LAFC and Philly left the first half level. A Kellyn Acosta handball gifted a PK to the Union with just 4 minutes left in regulation, and Daniel Gazdag hammered it home to give the hosts a late lead. However, Kellyn would go from goat to hero, getting on the end of a Timothy Tillman cross even as the ball dipped behind him. Despite a touch from Andre Blake, the visitors leveled the match and broke the hearts of the Philly fans. 

LAFC heads home to BMO with all kinds of options available to them as they look to advance to the CCL Finals for the second time. Also on this episode, Filly offends the good people of Pigs Knuckle, Arkansas, rendering Scarf utterly speechless. Enjoy Episode 244!

It was hard to tell who was more tired, LAFC after playing their 5th match in 15 days, or the Defenders, fresh from celebrating Scarf's 40th birthday. But the show must go on, both for our beloved Black and Gold, and for THE most LAFC podcast on Earth, Defenders of the Banc! 

Episode 237 relives the riveting 0-0 draw in Seattle, complete with yellow cards, substitutions, and one nice save from Stefan Frei. We looked tired, but keeping a high-powered Seattle squad off the scoresheet is no small feat. The defense looked great, and the offense was almost good enough to steal all 3 at Lumen. 

Also on this episode, Filly apologies to an entire city while Scarf gets some birthday love from Giorgio Chiellini! A huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of Scarf's 40th. It really does feel like millions! 

Didn't we just do this? (Yes!) And aren't we doing this again very soon? (Also yes!) It's a gauntlet of 5 matches in 15 days, and LAFC's beatdown of the Revolution means we are over the hump! It's Episode 235, the one where we welcome back club legend Latif Blessing!

LAFC, fresh off their international spanking of Costa Rica's Alajuelense, head back to BMO for our third-ever showdown against Bruce Arena and the NE Revolution. Spoiler alert: It did not go well for Bruce's Boys. An early PK converted by Denis Bouanga (one of two for him), and goals by Timothy Tillman and Stipe Biuk capped off the 4-0 win for the Black and Gold. 

News wasn't all good, however, as Ryan Hollingshead left the match with a potentially serious upper-body injury in the 83'. We will wait and see what his status is for the coming weeks. 

We will cover both legs of the first round CCL tilt with Alajuelense on the next episode, but, for now, a very tired duo of Filly and Scarf breaking down New England will have to do! Enjoy the episode!

CONCACAF 2022 TEAM OF THE SEASON 🏅 

Your favorite Americans give their respective nominations for the best CONCACAF player at every position In 2022! 

Timecodes
(0:00) Intro
(0:51) RB
(12:19) CB
(15:46) LB
(19:44) Gk
(24:32) CMs
(28:51) CAM
(35:29) LM/LW
(44:10) ST
(49:45) RM/RW
(1:03:19) Bench
(1:10:30) Outro

It's Episode 228, and there is PLENTY to talk about! The boys are back in Burbank, and we are beyond excited for the 2023 Preseason to get underway!

In this episode, JT and Larry are back, Gareth Bale and Sebas Mendez are gone, and the rumors for Chicho and Mahala are in full effect. Houston has a problem on their backline, LAFC needs a midfielder (or three), and ADAMA DIOMANDE is back in MLS (and with Bob!). 

Also on this episode, Nathan Ordaz turns 19, Max Bretos gets a bite at the Apple, and LAFC pays out several investors, including Filly's favorite, Tony Robbins. 

Defenders, we hope to see you all out in Coachella, especially for the Toronto match and the return of Dio! Until then, we'll get our stuff together for Episode 229!

Defenders! The boys are indeed back in town! LAFC has returned to the Performance Center, and Filly and Scarf are BACK in World Famous Filimonster Studios! 

On this episode, we chat about all the transactions in the 2023 off-season so far. Latif is gone, and Scarf is crushed. Filly may have less representation from the five boroughs at the Banc if the Will Kuntz rumors are true. Ryan Hollingshead and the most Black and Gold mustache of all time are back! Aaron Long has entered the building! And unlike last year, LAFC actually selects a few guys in the MLS SuperDraft. It's a busy offseason, and we are well underway! 

We remember Pelé, we celebrate Messi, and we look at all things LAFC in Qatar. We also take a look at the schedule, including St. Louis entering the fray, away days at Nashville, Charlotte, and Austin, and a game against New England that, all of a sudden, means much, much more in March. 

We are so happy to be back, and we can't wait for the season to kick off in just 49 days! So much more to come in the next few weeks, so stay tuned, Defenders!

On a very special and very different episode of Defenders of the Banc, we partner with LAFC and the good people at Santa Monica Brew Works for an incredibly entertaining watch party for the USMNT's maiden voyage in the 2022 World Cup, their match against Gareth Bale and Wales. 

Listen along with the Defenders as we watch the 1-1 draw between the United States and Wales. We bring on a TON of guests, including Rich Orosco, Jimmy and Cassie Lopez, Tony from Heart of LAFC, Len Lanzi, Chris Lafferty, George Salameh, two incredibly well-spoken middle schoolers, Luca and Sebastian, and two guys who played soccer with Haji Wright at Culver City Middle School! It's an absolute blast!

Again, a HUGE thank you to LAFC for asking us to be a part of this special day, to Santa Monica Brew Works for being a wonderful host, and to our sponsor, FLEX, for being there every step of the way!

LAFC has won MLS Cup! LAFC has won MLS Cup!!! After a match now considered the best final in MLS history, and the most intense emotional roller coaster in a 5-year history of intense emotional rollercoasters, LAFC has won MLS Cup!

The matchup was #1 in the West, LAFC, against #1 in the East, the Philadelphia Union, for the first time in an MLS Final since 2003, and it lived up to every bit of the hype and billing. The two best teams produced an all-time great match, filled with improbable moments, incredible performances, and a storybook ending that Hollywood couldn't begin to script. Say it with us one more time: LAFC has won MLS Cup!

LAFC drew first blood, as Kellyn Acosta bent a free kick off of midfielder Jack McGlynn's head and past Andre Blake for an early 1-0 lead. Philadelphia equalized just before the hour mark off a great feed from Jose Martinez to Daniel Gazdag, and the drama had just begun. LAFC looked to have won it off a bit of set magic in the 83rd minute. Carlos Vela found Jesus David Murillo with a beautiful corner kick, and LAFC looked to be on their way to glory! But just 2 minutes later, Jack Elliott found a header of his own off a set piece to level the match at 2 and send us into Extra Time. 
 
Seven minutes into the first 15-minute period, Carlos Vela came off for Gareth Bale. Yes, Bale, the Welsh superstar who had played just 176 Black and Gold minutes since September, would be asked to replace the Captain. The first 15 minutes came and went without much fanfare, but, as Samuel L. Jackson said in Jurassic Park, "Hold on to your butts."

After a horrific injury to Maxime Crepeau on a play that likely saved a sure Union goal and resulted in a straight red for Crepeau, the former Union product John McCarthy entered the match in the 117th minute of the MLS Cup Final. Because of the injury, we would see 9 full minutes of stoppage time. Four minutes in, McCarthy would make one fantastic save on Julian Carranza, but the ensuing rebound would be put home by Elliott for his second goal of the match, and one that surely looked to be a Cup winner.

LAFC, Chiqui Palacios, and Gareth Bale had other ideas, however. After a 1-2 between Ilie and Chiqui, Palacios raced to the goal line, flicked a beautiful cross into the box towards a streaking Bale, who got perfect position on the 6'6" Elliott and headed it home for a 127th-minute equalizer!!! LAFC had found a way to get it to PK's! 

On paper, it looked to be David vs. Goliath, as McCarthy, the MLS journeyman, would take on the reigning MLS Keeper of the Year in Andre Blake. But the match is never played on paper; this is Latitude 36 Bermudagrass, and this is the Cathedral of the Black and Gold, Banc of California Stadium. After a miss by Glesnes, McCarthy stoned both Jose Martinez AND Kai Wagner, and with Ilie Sanchez's successful attempt, LAFC would win the shootout, 3-0, and take home our first MLS Cup. One more time, with feeling: LAFC has won MLS Cup!