Vela and Dio brace through the Galaxy in a Playoff Derby Classic, faces Seattle on Tuesday
After finally defeating the Galaxy, LAFC advance to the Western Conference Final where they will take on the Seattle Sounders at home next Tuesday. A duo brace from Carlos Vela and Adama Diomande, with a single goal contribution from Diego Rossi helped secure a 5-3 win in this instant classic Playoff derby match. The result not only earns the long awaited first win against their cross-town rivals, but also crosses off the club’s first playoff win on the check list. Bob Bradley and company now switch their focus to their next opponent, as they face off against the Seattle Sounders in a battle for the first spot to the final.
United as One. Together Forever. For Los Angeles. Photo Courtesy of The 3252 via Instagram @lafc3252
JR4’s Game Breakdown and Performance Satisfactory Rating
This match definitely out delivered the hype, and can possibly be both the best derby match in MLS and LAFC history. I’ve preached before every game to trust in Bob Bradley in making the best changes possible, but tonight made me realized that I need to start practicing what I’ve been preaching. At first, I saw the switch between Triston Blackmon playing in the center for Walker Zimmerman as an ‘idiotic’ switch because all season long, Blackmon has been fantastic on the wing. The most impressive player last night was Triston Blackmon. I mean, he did everything right, especially all of the things I have been picking on Walker to correct; simply not jabbing in when in a 1v1 situation with a ballcarrier; reading the attack and communicating with your defense; setting your position before making a decision without hesitation; etd;. Blackmon was a mere 8.2 rating for me. Despite grabbing the win, I was not content with the way the defense played. All three goals conceded were off of our mistakes, and if the offense was not as good as it was last night, this game could have easily been a Galaxy win. With that, if mistakes were not made, this game would have been a 5-0 smack in the mouth. I just believe that we can play much better. Still room to improve, and with Bob Bradley at the helm, I’m pretty sure they will figure it out by Tuesday.
A beautiful drive from Brian Rodriguez sets up the simple tap in for Carlos Vela as they extend the lead to 2 in the first half. Photo Courtesy of The 3252 via Instagram @lafc3252
Goal Breakdown: Vela’s second goal of the night
This goal was as beautiful as watching Galaxy fans walk home with their heads down. Now, for this goal breakdown, in order for you to get the best experience, go ahead and click on the video below and go to 2:12, after reading this.
It all begins with Rodriguez receiving the ball. Before receiving the pass from Segura on the line, Brian already knows where he wants to go: Dribble towards the wing, but with a defender already on his tail when receiving the pass. What he does next is what I admire the most in this play. Rayito takes an inside touch towards the middle of the field (the area he does not want to dribble), and then chops to his left so he can dribble down the wing (the area he does wants to go to.) You see, Brian Rodriguez created space by beginning his dribble to where he didn’t want to go, so he can make room for him to go where he wanted (if that makes sense, hehe.)
Rayito then faces against three defenders marking him, and instead of dribbling at them like a mad man, he comes at a steady pace and is able to find Latif Blessing. After giving the pass, Rodriguez is zooming to the inside of the box. As Blessing receives the ball, he stays patient and knows the run Rayito has made. Once the perfect time comes, he gives a beautiful through ball to Brian, Rodriguez plays it across to Vela who is wide open for the sweaty finish, and Vela gets his brace to extend the lead to 2-0 LAFC. From the little touch inside by Rodriguez to the patience of Latif Blessing and the simple finish from Carlos Vela, more evidence that the littlest of things can make the biggest difference.
Diego Rossi celebrates after scoring the tiebreaker in the 60th minute. Adama Diomande scores the game winner shortly after. Photo Courtesy of The 3252 via Instagram @lafc3252
Midfield Review and Performance Satisfactory Rating
Lee Nguyen stepped up big as he replaced the injured Mark Anthony-Kaye. According to WhoScored.com, the 33 year-old had an 82% passing success rate and was everywhere on the field. As for his companions Eduard Atuesta and Latif Blessing, everyone in the midfield did their job, which helped the defense and attack to do theirs. After the tremendous hustle and effort that lead to disappointment in their previous meet in with the Galaxy, nobody wanted to win this match more than Latif Blessing, and my goodness, was he balllin’ last night. From disrupting plays to setting them up. He even everywhere! This win was well-deserved for him, what a fantastic game between the midfield.
Dio makes a remarkable contribution by scoring two goals against the Galaxy, his first match since he voluntarily joined the MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program in late September. Photo Courtesy of The 3252 via Instagram @lafc3252
Attack Review and Performance Satisfactory Rating
The attack was the best part about this team’s performance last night. Unfortunately, the Galaxy’s defense did not make any errors for us to capitalize on, but that shouldn’t matter and it didn’t. Carlos Vela and friends did their thing last night by lighting up those balls past David Bingham, and a Brace from Vela and Dio was enough, but Diego Rossi just had to get a piece of the fun as well.
It ain’t fun if the homies can’t have none, ;)
LAFC return to The Banc next Tuesday as they face off against a very familiar foe, the Seattle Sounders, for a spot into the MLS Cup Final. Photo taken by Jerry Reynoso @official.jr4
JR4’s Performance Satisfactory Rating (PSR): 8.0
An 8.0, and that is because the midfield and the attack had an amazing game. From the middle to the attacking third, everything was fluent, but the defense was very off compared to the rest of the field. I need to see improvement from this weekend’s training. I need to see a change of tenacity from the backline. I need to see fear, not only in the eyes of their opponents, but I need to see it in their play. The addition of Triston Blackmon was fantastic last night, but if everyone else can keep up that same level of intensity and play their position, then I can say, I am content with the defense. Steven Beitashour has this urge in big games, specifically in rivalry matches like this one, to try and become the hero and go out of position with a forceful tackle or a bad step to disrupt the play, but this only leads to his man being unmarked. This might be a coincidence, but he did this in both of Pavon’s goals in the past two derby matches. Defense has me worry-some, but I believe Bob Bradley can fix this before Tuesday’s Conference Final versus Seattle.
Below are two clips of both of Pavon’s goals. First one is from August 25th (Go to 1:53), and the second one is from last night’s match (Go to 1:05). Take a look and keep an eye on Steven Beitashour:
Like I said, I’m not happy. Are you guys? Let me hear how you guys feel after last night’s win in the comments below! Or even better, Tweet me or shoot a DM on Instagram and Twitter @official.jr4 . Thank you for reading my piece on last night’s match. I hope you all enjoy the rest of the day.
And Remember, LA is Black and Gold!