LAFC got back in the win column after a 3-0 triumph over St. Louis City, as goals from Carlos Vela, Stipe Biuk, and Jose Cifuentes secured the three points.
It was a much needed victory for the Black and Gold as they were winless in their last four games – losing three straight to the likes of Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, and then drawing to San Jose Earthquakes.
Even though St. Louis were missing a couple of key figures, it’s still an impressive victory that sees the current MLS Cup champs move within two points of the first-placed of their opponents. The Los Angeles club claimed bragging rights in the first ever meetings between the two sides.
“It took a lot of hard work in that first hour to really take the wind out of their sails, and the game opens up,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “We believe if we can do that against every team, our quality can come out in the end, and it did.”
LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta echoed the same thoughts as his head coach, believing that they have one of the better attacking units in the league to help them get positive results.
“That felt like us. I think one of the key factors was just persistence, having the belief that we were creating some opportunities. For us, it was a collective effort and definitely a lot of positives from this game.
“I think with the attacking power that we have, we create opportunities first and foremost, but for us, we want to be defensively sound, and that will give us a good opportunity to win the game. Today was a testament to that, and hopefully we can build on this shutout, and hopefully more to come.”
Acosta brings up an interesting point, as many fans across the league will often rave about and definitely know about the firepower LAFC has up front.
But they are also one of the best defensive teams in the league – which warrant their position in the Western Conference – conceding just 24 goals in 2023, fourth best in MLS. Goalkeeper John McCarthy has played his part in doing that, keeping six shutouts thus far.
Now, LAFC will shift their focus to the in-form Emanuel Reynoso and Minnesota United for their clash on July 15.
“We’re coming. We’re LAFC,” Acosta claimed. “What we did last year was great, but this is a new year, and from our standpoint, we want to compete against the best, which is in St. Louis, and we want to beat them.”
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