Photo courtesy of LAFC
Latiff Blessing had the second of LAFC’s two goals against Fresno.
By Ivan Yeo
Making its US Open Cup debut, it took a while for LAFC to get going, but the timing was good enough. Second half goals by Diego Rossi and Latiff Blessing were LAFC needed to advance in the US Open Cup following its 2-0 win at Banc of California Stadium.
“It wasn’t easy,” LAFC miefielder Lee Nguyen said. “These teams that you play in the Open Cup are going to be up to the challenge and it’s going to be tough to break them down. It was one of those games where we’re going to be patient, try to move the ball quick and try to make the little tight passes around the 18.”
After 52 scoreless minutes, LAFC finally achieved the breakthrough in the scrappiest of ways. Aaron Kovar sent a corner kick into the Fresno six-yard box. The ball bounced inside the six and Dejan Jakovic headed a ball towards goal, though he didn’t get enough of it. Rossi stepped in front of keeper Kyle Reynish and touched a ball that went past Reynish, that trickled towards goal and crossed the goal line before being cleared out by Fresno’s Christian Chaney. Referee Mark Allatin at first did not signal goal, but fortunately for LAFC, the linesman did see the ball cross the goal line, Allatin consulted with the linesman and Allatin awarded LAFC the goal.
LAFC’s second goal was a little more easier to come by. Nguyen chipped a forward ball to spring Calum Mallace for goal, Mallace brought the ball down and took another touch before he took a shot that was blocked by Milton Blanco. Blessing trailed the play, which turned out to be the right call, as he charged in and one-timed a shot past Reynish near post.
As with most MLS teams, LAFC head coach Bob Bradley went with players who had seen little to no action so far during the season. Regulars such as Rossi, Benny Feilhaber, Steve Beitashour and Mark Anthony Kaye started on the bench while Nguyen and Adama Diomande got their first starts for LAFC.
“The ball came across and he got tangled with the defender as he fell,” Bradley said of Diomande’s injury.
LAFC will find out its next opponent in the US Open Cup on Thursday.
LAFC
