SAGA Photo Story: LAFC celebrates their 5th year anniversary by launching their newest Home Jersey

The “5 Years Strong” anniversary kit, shown above, celebrates the five years the club has played in the MLS thus far. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

The jersey launch was filled with Black and Gold festivities, which included carnival games, live music, food trucks, and other attractions that kept the night lively. Those who bought the new kit also received a free customization voucher for the back of their jerseys. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

Fans were also able to grasp in the view of the pitch by visiting the northwest concourse of Banc of California Stadium, soaking in the Black and Gold vibrance of the Los Angeles Football Club. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

The 3252, LAFC’s Supporter Union, Showed out and brought the drums with them for a big party at the Pepsi Plaza. Even LAFC Co-President, Larry Freedman, joined in on the fun. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

The 3252 have been waiting patiently for the season to begin, but the active support already seems to be in mid-season form. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

As we inch closer to the league’s 28th season, LAFC and MLS fans everywhere look over the calm before the storm within Banc of California Stadium. LAFC kick their fifth year off against a familiar foe, the Colorado Rapids, this Saturday. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

Aurajo Stars In El Tráfico 3-3 Draw

Julian Aurajo played a starring role in all three of LA Galaxy’s goals against LAFC. The right back was a constant nuisance to the LAFC defense.

Despite playing right-back, Aurajo had the most touches of any LA Galaxy player in the first half, and had the second-most on the field, only beaten by Tristan Blackmon who had 41.

However, it was not just Aurajo’s stellar play that led to his excellent performance. The American’s linkup play with Kevin Cabral was on another level on the day. But, LAFC’s pedestrian defending didn’t help matters.

Galaxy went through the majority of the first half on top but as soon as the second half began, LAFC was all over their counterparts. Bob Bradley’s instructions to the group were clearly to push forward more often and try to catch Galaxy out with their opposition’s bad passes in the back.

This worked spectacularly for LAFC for a spell as they grabbed a goal through Brian Rodriguez to put them 2-1 in front. However, this was quickly undone by the stellar play of Julian Aurajo.

The 20-year-old played a beautiful through ball into Kevin Cabral, but the Frenchman was unable to bring the ball under control. Aurajo then wound up back with the ball and played a fantastic pass across to Sebastian Lletget who fed Dejan Jovelijic in to tie the game 2-2.

LAFC was quickly back on top though as their high pressure paid dividends once again, only 2 minutes after Galaxy found the equalizer. Fortunately for Galaxy fans, the side was able to slowly work their way back into the game and found a late equalizer through a Kevin Cabral finish. The 23-year-old’s shot was set up by none other than Julian Aurajo.

Overall, both sides should be happy with a point. Galaxy remain firmly in the promotion qualification spots while LAFC sits just outside.

Quakes and Minnesota Split Points In a 1-1 Draw

San Jose Earthquakes squeeze out a well-earned 1-1 tie against Minnesota on Tuesday night.

Following their 0-0 draw against Vancouver, the Quakes came out on Tuesday night looking to get back to winning ways against a Minnesota side that had won just one out of their last five games.

Quakes came out in a 4-5-1 with Yuelli pushed up higher on the pitch to give them more creativity in the midfield. They came out with relatively the same lineup that faced Vancouver on Saturday with the exception of Eric Remedi coming on for Chofis.

The home team knew it needed to make up for their lack of intensity on Saturday and came out looking for an early goal to set the tempo. In the 12th minute, they got exactly that. Espinoza received the ball perfectly on the switch and knew exactly what he needed to do. Beat his man down the line and got a dangerous cross in. The cross was so juicy that even Minnesota’s Bakaye Dibassy couldn’t resist the urge to score. Dibassy’s poorly cleared interception found its way into the back of the net giving the Quakes the early lead they were looking for.

What proceeded after was a rollercoaster of emotions. Less than 10 minutes later, defender Nathan Cardoso would get sent off after video review confirmed the worst. The defender’s leg came off the ground and went studs up into a tackle leaving the referee no decision but to give him the straight red.

No less than 2 minutes later, Minnesota took advantage of the swing of momentum and Will Trapp buried his shot past the outstretched arms of Marcinkowski to tie the match 1-1. Just like that, the Quakes were down a man and had seen their lead slip away.

The silence that rang inside PayPal Park said it all. Minnesota had quickly gained control of this game and if the Quakes didn’t make any adjustments, it could get ugly. Marcinkowski quickly gathered the team and reminded them to keep their head and play their game. Minnesota would go on to dominate the rest of the half but the Quakes’ much improved defense kept them at bay as both teams went into halftime tied at 1-1.

Matias Almeyda must have woken up on Tuesday feeling dangerous because he sent out a team lined up in a 4-3-2 to start the half. A backline that saw Judson slide over to right back with Remedi drop as a center back. The midfield was, in my eyes, the riskiest move. Quakes played with 3 in the midfield but with Luciano Abecasis and Paul Marie as wingers and Yueill as the lone midfielder. This would obviously give the Quakes the width that they love to look for but it was also a shaky move considering they had lost the midfield in the first half.

The second half introduction of Cade Cowell alongside Ebobisse gave the Quakes even more speed with Cowell’s runs behind the lines causing headaches to the Minnesota backline. 

The Quakes looked much more threatening in the second half and created most of their dangerous chances late in the game. Yet, like most Quakes games this season, they lacked that final pass and wasted multiple glorious chances.

A potential penalty on Cowell was not even reviewed by the referee despite the instant replay clearly showing that the youngster was tripped as he was preparing to shoot. Look, I’m not one to blame the game on a referee but… the man was awful. Missed calls left and right, didn’t even bother to look at the potential penalty and of course, the red card (which was clearly a red card but don’t tell the Quakes fans that were booing him all day).

In the end, a tie was a fair result for a San Jose team that would lead the league if the games were 10 minutes longer. Playing a man down is never easy and despite the turbulent 10 minute span in the first half, the Quakes were able to hold their own defensively and were a video review away from possibly winning the game.

The Quakes sit in 9th place and one point behind Portland for the final playoff spot. Minnesota remains in a playoff spot but plays Kansas City and Seattle in their upcoming games.

Martin Pantoja

Twitter: @tinchosports

Instagram: @_tinchosports

Quakes and Whitecaps Draw 0-0 in San Jose

Not much of anything.

The San Jose Earthquakes dropped crucial points at home against Vancouver following a lackluster 0-0 draw. The Quakes entered the game sitting in 10th place with a playoff berth still within reach. Their opponents sat at the bottom of the Western Conference but were looking to spoil the party for the Quakes on a warm Summer night in San Jose.

Matias Almeyda sent out a 4-4-2 for the home side with newly acquired striker Jeremy Ebobisse making his first start with the Quakes. On the other end of the pitch, Vancouver played with a 4-1-4-1 defensively but stretched out to a 4-3-3 when they had possession.

The Quakes struggled to create chances in the first half despite having most of the possession. The double pivot of Judson and Yueill gives them physicality and control in the midfield but they lack an offensive-minded “10” that can break the lines. The role was meant for Chofis who played more as a 10 with Ebodisse as the target man looking to hold the ball up. The issue was that Chofis was extremely careless with the ball in the first half and would constantly make wrong decisions that would lose possession. On top of that, Ebodisse’s strengths are not exactly his hold up play. The French striker is much more dangerous running into space behind the defenders or dribbling directly at the defense.

Vancouver had a solid chance in the first half when they cut through the Quakes’ midfield and exposed their lack of speed in the back. Apart from that chance, the Canadian side didn’t trouble the Quakes’ backline for most of the game. Meanwhile, the hosts had a handful of good looks that came from corners but failed to create danger from open play.

In the second half, the Quakes looked for a spark off the bench and brought on Cade Cowell, Carlos Fierro and Chris Wondolowski. Cowell gave the team more verticality and became a pest for opposing defenders with his speed. Fierro provided the speed on the wing but with Judson playing as the right back behind them, the strikers never got the final ball they were looking for. 

In the end, the scoreline read 0-0 in a lackluster game. The Quakes are still very much a transitional side that’s trying to figure out what their best lineup is. Playoffs are still within reach but they need to capitalize against teams like Vancouver if they want to squeeze into the playoffs.

Martin Pantoja

Twitter: @tinchosports

Instagram: @_tinchosports

Klinsmann Stars as Galaxy Run Out 1-0 Winners

La Galaxy had an opportunity to temporarily take the top spot in the Western Conference in their match against Minnesota United Saturday. Galaxy capitalized on that opportunity as they ran out 1-0 winners.

One of the biggest sub-plots of the match was Johnathan Klinsmann, son of former USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann, making his first appearance of the season. Prior to the match, questions were asked of the American and whether or not he would be able to deliver in big moments.

Klinsmann immediately proved to be up for the challenge, making a big save off of a shot from Adrien Hunou. Hunou proved to be a nuisance to Galaxy’s defense, constantly getting into dangerous areas.

However, this would prove to be the first of many moments from Klinsmann as he moved on to make six more saves and win man of the match.

On the other side of the ball, it was a case of LA getting in their own way. A breakaway opportunity squandered because of two forwards running into each other, Cabral skying a shot in front of a wide-open goal, and only producing one shot on target in the entire match.

Fortunately for Galaxy’s forwards, the one goal proved to be enough, mostly because of the stellar play of Johnathan Klinsmann.

Overall, Galaxy will be happy with the win that sees them end Minnesota’s 5-game unbeaten streak and continue to apply pressure to Sporting Kansas City who remains at the top of the Western Conference following their win against Dallas.