Episode 168 - What Penso Gives, Portland Takes Away
LAFC touched down in Portland riding the high of a three-game win streak and a newly found goal scoring touch. Leave it to the fake grass, rain, and physical play of Portland to throw the 2021 season back into flux. The Black and Gold lose a frustrating one, 2-1, as they leave several chances unfinished at Providence Park. Hear all about it here on Episode 168!
Playing against Portland is never comfortable, and their physical style tends to throw LAFC off their game a bit. This was certainly true throughout this one, and 4 yellow cards did little to deter them. After Brian Rodriguez missed a gorgeous opportunity in the 19', Portland capitalized just two minutes later. A corner and several headers find Dairon Asprilla, who heads home the opening salvo for Portland. LAFC would answer quickly, however, as a PK by Chicho, his 5th straight game with a goal, would level things before the half.
During the opening moments of the second half, we almost... almost saw MLS's Goal of the Year by Jose Cifuentes. From about 40 yards out, Cifu caught Steve Clark off his line, but the ball banged loudly off the post and away. Just past the hour mark, somehow, somehow Cifu misses a wide open net off a pass from Chicho. Both he and the Defenders will be seeing this one in their sleep for some time. Oy.
Portland would answer right after the LAFC miss, as sub George Fochive is able to put a rebound home with his head, and that would be it for LAFC despite 20 minutes remaining. Bob subbed in Latif, Chiqui, Moose, and eventually Bryce Duke, but it wasn't meant to be in Portland. LAFC falls below the playoff line again, and the fight continues.
Also on this episode, it's just Scarf. That's right. Filly is in Orlando, and a couple last minute cancellations lead to this one being a solo Scarf project. Diego Rossi plays well, twice in one week, for Fenerbahce, while the Las Vegas Lights don't lose! It's very likely LAFC's roster is now frozen, but the cast and crew of Ted Lasso are hot, taking home multiple Emmys! Let's hope LAFC can be just as successful as they head to San Jose for a mid-week tilt against the Quakes!