The Los Angeles Football Club fell flat before earning a draw in its first preseason match last weekend.
Playing its second straight exhibition contest with the New England Revolution at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday, LAFC again stumbled and regrouped for a 3-3 draw ahead of its MLS season opener at home against Austin FC on April 17.
Nine of the 11 players selected for LAFC’s previous match remained in Bob Bradley’s lineup – goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer replaced Pablo Sisniega and midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye took his spot with Jose Cifuentes heading to the bench – yet the club began on the wrong foot by conceding a pair of soft goals.
The first came when LAFC defender Diego Palacios lost the ball without help behind him, giving Revolution center forward Adam Buksa an opportunity to easily beat Vermeer.
By the seventh minute, the New England lead increased to 2-0 when midfielder Matt Polster used space provided by LAFC’s lacking defense to hit a low shot past Vermeer.
“Terrible start to the game,” said Bradley, who felt his club was slow from the first whistle and failed to respond when New England stepped up to press.
“Those kinds of situations make it impossible to win against a good team if you’re giving up goals in those moments,” the coach noted.
LAFC got back into the match thanks to the attacking trio of Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Corey Baird, who hit several shots on frame that forced saves and appears to have nailed down his spot on the first team.
In the 14th minute, Vela knocked the ball across the box to Baird, who then cut it back to Rossi for a tap-in.
“I think Corey is developing a good understanding with those players,” Bradley said. “He’s a direct threat. Has speed. When we lose the ball, he helps us press and win the ball back. Hopefully that understanding can continue to grow and he can be a good part of a dangerous front three.”
LAFC’s first goal roused fewer than a thousand spectators seated inside the stadium for the first time since March 8, 2020.
Against MLS newcomer Austin FC next Saturday, LAFC expects Banc of California Stadium to be at 20% capacity.
LAFC tied the match near the hour mark when a pass from Rossi freed Vela to make a run against a Revolution defender. The Mexican star maintained possession and scored before being taken down in the box.
However, New England was awarded a penalty a minute later when LAFC central defender Eddie Segura was called for a foul in the box.
The Revolution’s Spanish captain, Carles Gil, finished to give his side a lead until the waning moments when Segura made up for his mistake and connected on a short volley.
“We take 3-3 with some positives, but certainly we know as we’ve gone through preseason there are too many moments when we’re careless and treating plays without the necessary understanding of the moment,” Bradley said. “We’ve gotten into trouble in some of these situations.”
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