Growing up within the training grounds of Long Beach, coaches repeatedly told me throughout my childhood that the game was “10% Physical, 90% Mental”. Today, with LAFC’s most recent form (winless in last five matches), that philosophy has been proven by the Black and Gold. The Physicality is there, but it’s the mental aspect of the game, such as simple decisions that are not being executed correctly. A final pass inside the 18 cannot be made. Or even a shot from the six-yard box can’t be accounted for, almost as if something is preventing these players to accomplish in the simplest of ways possible.

But what exactly is this mental barrier that is distressing the team’s ability to perform at the level expected? Could it be something superstitiously barring, like the yips? Maybe, there’s something within the locker room that’s going on that we’re not aware of? Or maybe it’s simply a really bad slump the team is having and are trying to fight their way out of? Well, whatever it may be, let’s take a look at the possible mental barriers that are preventing Bob Bradley and Co. from playing at their best.

the yips

Probably shouldn’t be saying the “Y word” out loud, but we must go through a few of the possibilities on why LAFC have not been LAFC lately, even the whacky ones like the Yips. Most notably known and mainly diagnosed within Baseball players and Golfers, the Yips are a mental condition where an athlete is unable to perform the most basic skill or instruction. A few examples are, a second baseman unable to through it to first base for an easy out, a golfer unable to sink a two-foot putt, or in this case, Carlos Vela missing a penalty kick or a 1v1 opportunity with the goalkeeper.

The Yips are an athlete’s most feared condition, right behind a Torn ACL or two. Cases of the Yips have been displayed within all stages in sports. Bill Buckner is most famously known for his “between the legs” error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Most recently, Paul George missed free throws in an important game for the Clippers to close out and gain a series lead in the playoffs.

For LAFC, it’s not just one athlete who is underperforming, it’s the whole team. LAFC has the 2nd-most xG this season with 30.4, and have fallen short scoring just 24 to date. Although, that margin is slim, we all know deep down that, after 16 games, the xG should be well above 40, possibly 50 at best. The most shocking statistic for this squad’s attack is a team with an unmatchable attacking prowess and the previous two golden boot winners in Diego Rossi (2020) and Carlos Vela (2019), have yet to score three goals in one game this season.

The Yips are curable, and if this is the case for the Black and Gold, it's only a matter of time when the tell tale signs will show it is getting better. Although, I do doubt the Yips are playing any part in this first historic slump for LAFC, it also leads me to a different question: Is this how being an Arsenal fan feels like?

Mark-Anthony Kaye, traded to Colorado, showcased a bit of stress within the locker room, but is there anyone else in the squad who is experiencing similar issues? Photo Credit: Imad Bolotok (@imadshoots @lafc) — **Mark-Anthony Kaye, traded to Colorado, showcased a bit of stress within the locker room, but is there anyone else in the squad who is experiencing similar issues?** Photo Credit: Imad Bolotok (@imadshoots @lafc)

locker room morale

They say what goes down in the locker room, stays in the locker room. For the Black and Gold, that might not be the case. It’s possible the team’s locker room morale has been displayed on the pitch for everyone all along. The lack of leadership and trust within the team could be the reason why so many are underperforming, let alone the team underperforming as a collective. Many players within the squad like Eduard Atuesta, Diego Rossi, and even his Uruguayan co-part, Brian Rodriguez, could be feeling a tad-bit impatient and showcasing a lack of interest to the team and Bob Bradley’s tactics. These players could have possibly been sold to another club in Europe by now, but due to the unfortunate complications the COVID-19 pandemic has created for the club financially, those goals have been put on hold for the time being.

There’s only been one situation that has proved this theory. Most recently, LAFC traded Canadian Midfielder and Inaugural Member of the Black and Gold, Mark-Anthony Kaye, to the Colorado Rapids for $1 million in GAM. A few days after the transaction, MAK took to an interview with Matt Pollard over at LastWordOnSports.com, where he expressed how he felt about the trade and his overall reaction to it. Kaye believes that he deserves to be “compensated more”, but felt like that’s not what “LAFC wanted to do”. He also stated that he was not “happy with the situation”, but also made sure to spread gratitude to the club who picked him up from the USL’s Louisville City SC in 2018 because they had “given him a lot”.

It took some time for Mark-Anthony Kaye to speak his mind about his morale with the team, but he made it clear that he wasn’t happy and a fresh start elsewhere would suffice. Is it possible there are other players who’s morale is as conflicted as the former captain?

LAFC vs themselves

It’s no secret the fans are unhappy with LAFC’s recent form, but regardless of any result, the 3252 continue to bang their drums and sing their songs, in attempt to keep their vow in remaining faithful, forevermore. Photo Credit: LAFC (@lafc)

Football is psychological warfare. A game you must be mentally prepared for way before you and your squad step on the pitch. Midfielders must be three or four steps ahead of everyone else on the field. They must know what to do before they receive and give a pass, where to move and how to support or create space; Defenders must have the vision and ability to scan and read the field, and adjust to every scenario possible; Attackers must simply do whatever it takes to get the ball into the net. LAFC knows what needs to be accomplished. So, what is holding them back from achieving the ability to play “simple” football?

The answer? Themselves. This game is most certainly 90% mental, but how much of the 90% do you put when you battle between the opponent and yourself? Truth is, there is a lot of overthinking going on within the team. Sure, there’s a lot of things that need to get down, but instead of just thinking about what exactly needs to be done, simply just do it. Yes, easier said than done. Possibly the worst answer ever, but regardless of the problem being the Yips, low locker room morale, or any other cognitive distortion, the Black and Gold are definitely dealing with a mental battle within.

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Written by Jerry reynoso

Jerry Reynoso is an 18 year old Journalist, Reporter, and Head Fan Correspondent for 110 Football. He is also the Founder/Owner of the Los Angeles Saga, and a Journalism Major over at Long Beach State. You can see more of his work on this website, on 110 Football’s YouTube Channel, and socials.