Episode 164 - Brian Weaves Through Trafico As Carson Celebrates A Draw!
For the first and only time in the 2021 MLS regular season, Derby Days comes to the Banc! Fresh off All Star Weekend, LAFC faces their near-town rivals, the Carson Galaxy, in the most important match of the season. The LA Derby never disappoints, and this edition certainly would not. Hear all about it here on Episode 164 of The Most LAFC Podcast in all of Los Angeles County.
It’s been quite the week in world football as Cristiano Ronaldo lands in Manchester and Messi gets set to debut in Paris, but MLS’s dream matchup of Vela vs. Chicharito would only occur on the injury list. The Black and Gold would lean on the front line of Diego Rossi, Chicho Arango, and Brian Rodriguez, and the front line would deliver. However, and stop me if you’ve heard us talk about this before, the defense would leave points on the pitch at home.
A first-minute no-call on Diego Rossi, which certainly should have resulted in a penalty for LAFC, could have taken the wind out of our sails early, but LAFC kept fighting. Unfortunately, another bad bounce involving Muri leads to a goal for Carson, and LAFC falls behind early. RIght before the halftime whistle, it’s Chicho with a moment of brilliance, both earning a PK after being fouled in the box AND burying it home a minute later. We are deadlocked at one after the first half of play.
The second half would be a back and forth affair, with one moment of show-stopping brilliance by Brian Rodriguez. Weaving through three defenders in the box and shooting it over a fourth and the keeper, Rayito delivered a definite GOTY candidate. After another equalizer for Carson, it’s Brian, again, this time slotting home a rebound off Jonathan Bond to give LAFC the lead for the second time. In what has unfortunately become a theme this season, LAFC could not salt the game away. Awful back line defending leaves Kevin Cabral wide open and, with just four minutes remaining in regulation, we are again level, and that’s the end result.
Also on this episode, Filly meets his “hall pass”, Scarf misses his Little League days, The 3252 unveils another inspiring tifo, and Niko Hämäläinen helps out his old club. We also talk a little Messi, CR7, and even a dash of Laurent Ciman. For LAFC, the fight has just begun, and warriors never stop fighting. Enjoy all the sights and sounds of Derby Day here on Episode 164.