Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Not much was settled after Saturday’s showdown between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union.
East met West in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night.
The Philadelphia Union, currently first place in the Eastern Conference, made the 3,000 mile trip to the West Coast for a massive early-season tilt against the team sitting in first place in the Western Conference, LAFC had more bragging rights, as its 23 points are four points better than the Union heading into the match. Nevertheless, the two sides treated the sellout crowd of 22,000 at Banc of California Stadium to a match worthy of a potential MLS Cup final. Philadelphia jumped out to the lead twice, but LAFC equalized both times, and perhaps is was only fitting that this matchup of the conference’s two best teams ended in a 2-2 draw.
“We saw exactly what we expected,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “An exciting match, a team that was very hard to score against, but we managed to put two behind them, managed to create numerous chances and we’re happy with how we were able to progress the ball forward.”
LAFC got goals from Franco Escobar and Mahala Opoku, who continues to shine for LAFC, as he has started all but two of LAFC’s matches so far this season. On the Union’s side, Julian Carranza was the star for Philadelphia, who assisted the Union’s opening goal, and later scored a highlight-worthy goal in the second half.
The Union seized the advantage nine minutes in. Carranza dribbled through the LAFC defense to lead a Union break downfield, Carranza played a ball to Kai Wagner, who then crossed into the the penalty area, Leon Flach’s dummy allowed the ball to go into the six-yard box and Gazdag came in at the back post and buried the shot past keeper Maxime Crepeau to give Philadelphia its first lead.
The Union took the lead into the halftime break, but LAFC eventually caught them in the 55th minute. Cristian Arango dribbled downfield from the right side, Arango moved inside, played a ball for Jose Cifuentes, who then quickly played Opoku into the penalty area and Opoku beat Andre Blake near post to level the matters.
Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Mahala Opoku, right, has established himself in LAFC’s starting 11 this season.
Philadelphia however was not fazed, and it was Carranza that rallied the Union back into the lead, this time as the goal scorer in the 67th minute. Carranza received a pass from Gazdag and just managed go keep himself onside. Carranza quickly curled a left-footed ball towards goal and it was perfect, as the ball sailed past Crepeau far post to put Philadelphia back in front. LAFC however was up to the task one more time, and they got a second equalizer in the 82nd minute, as Carlos Vela sent a corner into the box, Cifuentes’ header was stopped by Blake at the goal line, but Blake left a ball inside the six, and Franco Escobar was more than happy to oblige, as he buried the rebound chance near post to level matters one last time.
“We always try to support the team,” Escobar said, referring to the growing number of defensive players on LAFC scoring goals this season. “We have a good team, we have more than 11 guys that can be starters on other teams, it can’t always fall on the forwards, we’re here to help and our desire is to help out.”
Rest will be short for LAFC, as they jump back into US Open Cup play on Tuesday, as they welcome the Portland Timbers to Banc of California Stadium.
