Los Angeles Football Club earned three points in their last two matches against Western Conference opponents; the boys in black and gold won 2-1 against the Real Salt Lake before losing away to the Portland Timbers. The match with RSL saw our boys in black and gold dominate possession holding the ball 56.7% of the time. This resulted in 29 shots attempted with 9 of them being on goal. The goals came from Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela. As shown in the second goal, it is evident that new comer Kim Moon-Hwan has found good chemistry and understanding with LAFC Captain Carlos Vela. Their understanding is only going to improve from here which will bring more goals. LAFC's next match against Portland was an entertaining game. Unfortunately the two worst moments were the first and last of the game. Both moments resulted in goals off of crosses. The first one to start the game came after a Marco Farfan turnover and the second came off a quick restart off a throw in. Outside of these two moments, LAFC dominated possession and shots, but could not find a way to get enough of their chances in the back of the net. In this twelfth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan) and Ryan Wallerson (from Copenhagen, Denmark), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher (one of us has to be in California., right?), breakdown LAFC's win over RSL and loss to Portland and previews the two matches against Vancouver and Minnesota.

LAFC Season Pass Podcast | It Never Rains LA

LAFC Season Pass S03/E12: Review of RSL and Timbers Preview of Vancouver and Minnesota

With the MLS break, we reflect on the top headlines in football, Messi wins Copa America 2021, being his first international trophy for Argentina and the Italian comeback in the 2020 Euro Cup Final. Penalty kicks resulted in a heartbreaking ending for the bring it home story for England. They took the lead early in a 2nd minute after Kieran Trippier found Luke Shaw on the back post. Shaw's first touch blast found the inside of the front post, before player of the tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma could make the stop. From then on England sat back and invited Italy to break down the British defense. After Italy dominating the run of play, they converted their chance in the 67th minute off a corner-kick. 34 year old Leonardo Bonucci placed a rebound off the back post into the goal, leveling the score at 1. Heroics from Gianluigi Donnarumma making 2 stops as Enland's last three PK takers all missed. In the Copa America Final, Messi finally got help from the supporting cast. Ángel Di María was the loan goal scorer finding the back of the net in the 22nd minute. Rodrigo De Paul found space behind the Brazilian back line where only Di María could get a magician's touch to provide the early lead for Argentina. The game was very physical from the start and continued with lots of tackles in transition. This was the first time Brazil had ever lost in a final hosted in Brazil. In the end it felt like justice had been served as Neymar found time after shedding his tears to congratulate his friend, Messi. In this eleventh episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, review the Euro Cup 2020 Final, Copa America 2021 Final and preview LAFC's home match-up against Real Salt Lake and away against Portland.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E11: Review Euro Cup & Copa America Finals and Preview of RSL and Timbers

In the tenth match of the 2021 season, Los Angeles Football Club dropped 3 points on the road to Western Conference contender Sporting Kansas City in a 2-1 loss. Kim Moon-Hwan opened the scoresheet with his first goal in MLS for the Black and Gold. In the 24th minute, Kim beat two players after receiving a pass from Jose Cifuentes, slotting the ball inside the front post. LAFC did not dominate possession as they traditionally do. It was partially due to going down a man in the 58th minute off of a Tristan Blackmon foul resulting in a sending off. As the rain began to pour in Austin, Blackmon gave a poor pass intended for Diego Rossi that was cut out by SKC young star, Gianluca Busio. The transition allowed Busio to find Daniel Salloi wide with space. To avoid the goal scoring opportunity, Blackmon stuck his arm out bringing Salloi to the ground. The free kick only resulted in Busio hitting the wood work which only was a sign of what was to come. SKC quickly evened the score with a goal from Mexican international Alan Pulido, in the 61st minute, after a poor clearance from Marco Farfan. LAFC showed defensive grit through the remaining 30 minutes, and pushed the ball forward looking for the winning goal. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to take a point. In the 87th minute, the Hungarian, Daniel Salloi, made his final mark on the match with the winning goal off an Eduard Atuesta turnover. In this seventh episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, review the last three games against Kansas City, Salt Lake and Austin. LAFC is now on a two game road winning streak which sees LAFC climb the western conference table to 5th.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E10: Recap of Kansas City, Salt Lake & Austin

Los Angeles Football Club earned four points in the final two matches of its four-game homestand at the Banc; the boys in black and gold drew 1-1 against the Houston Dynamo before beating F.C. Dallas 2-0 to bring the club's record through nine league games to 3-3-3. The draw was a bit of a disappointment in terms of results, but LAFC's defensive effort held Houston to only three attempts all game; that was very encouraging to see, as was the club's overall performance against Dallas. The struggling visitors mustered only a single shot on goal against LAFC, in comparison to the 19 shots (8 on target) that LAFC put towards Dallas' net. LAFC's next match against Sporting Kansas City in Kansas City represents a much larger challenge; SKC leads Major League Soccer in goals as well as chances created, and it is third in the league's supporter shield race. A victory on the road against the former Wizards would easily be LAFC's biggest win of the season thus far, and from the look of the last two matches, the club just might be up for the task. In this ninth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan) and Ryan Wallerson (from Copenhagen, Denmark), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher (one of us has to be in California., right?), breakdown LAFC's Texas sweep and preview this weekend's matchup against Sporting K.C.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E09: Texas Two-Step Recap & Sporting Kansas City Preview

In the seventh fixture of the 2021 campaign, Los Angeles Football Club dropped its first home match of the year to New York City FC in a tough 2-1 loss. The last minute headed goal that LAFC surrendered to NYCFC was a tough way to end things, but that sting has been somewhat lessened by three weeks of international football. Between the Champions League final, USA vs Mexico, the 2020* Euros and the 2021 Copa America, we here at Season Pass sincerely hope your life has not been devoid of the beautiful game. LAFC had some good moments in the match against NYCFC, and if not for a missed sitter by Carlos Vela, the team may well have earned a point out of a third consecutive 2-2 draw, a final scoreline these two teams are very accustomed to. However, LAFC's performance was indicative of a team that is still looking for its top form, and star players who are still working back to match fitness. The three-week intermission was no break for LAFC; Bob had the boys in black and gold working hard in training, and on Saturday, June 19th, the fruit of their labor will be on display in front of the first capacity crowd at Banc of California Stadium since LAFC vs Philadelphia in March 2020, a staggering 15 months ago. In this eighth episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer (from Yokohama, Japan) and Ryan Wallerson (from New York, New York), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher (one of us has to be in L.A., right?), breakdown LAFC's loss to NYCFC in the second of this four-match home stand, preview this weekend's matchup against Houston and look ahead to the contest against F.C. Dallas just four days later. Stay cool out there, y'all!

LAFC Season Pass S03/E08: New York City FC Recap & Texas Two Step Preview

In the sixth match of the season, Los Angeles Football Club (2-2-2) opened a four-game home stand with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Carlos Vela played 60 very important minutes for the black and gold, but it was a first half brace from Diego Rossi that lifted LAFC back into the win column. The back line bent at times, no more so than in the transitional sequence that allowed the Rapids goal in the opening stages of the second half, but the LAFC defense was able to ride the game out and maintain the lead through the final whistle in another positive performance. The win marked what LAFC hopes is the beginning of a very successful home stand; Bob Bradley was bullish in this week's media day about the club's desire to capture six points over two matches. However, in order to do so, LAFC will have to defeat a team that it has yet to win against in its short history. LAFC and New York City Football Club have only met in two league matches over LAFC's first three seasons. Both matches ended in 2-2 draws during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. In 2021, NYCFC marches on Banc of California Stadium as the top offense in the eastern conference by measure of scoring; NYCFC's 11 goals are tied for 3rd in MLS, behind only Seattle (14) and Sporting Kansas City (12). The boys in blue have also surrendered only 6 goals so far this season, so the team represents a legitimate challenge for LAFC on both sides of the pitch. In this seventh episode of the 2021 season, writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, breakdown LAFC's victory over the Colorado Rapids in the first of this four-match home stand, preview this weekend's matchup against NYCFC, and talk a little east coast supporter culture at the end.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E07: Colorado Rapids Recap & New York City FC Preview

In the fifth match of the season, Los Angeles Football Club dropped its second consecutive game to the Seattle Sounders by a final score of 2-0. LAFC opened the match well and played Seattle, the current #1 in the western conference, to a scoreless first half, but a set piece goal gave the Sounders the advantage early in the second half and a defense lapse allowed a second Sounders goal soon after. Since beating Austin F.C. 2-0 on opening day, LAFC has drawn two and now lost two, which leaves the club in unfamiliar territory: through five matches in the 2021 MLS season, Los Angeles Football Club sits in last place in the western conference. However, things are not a dire as they appear. The offense has opened the campaign with a dry spell to the tune of five goals in five matches, but the defense has only allowed six, leaving the team with a goal differential of -1. The front line is struggling, but the back line is not. If LAFC doesn't become the high octane offense we've seen in the past this season, can a stout defense produce a different kind of playoff team? Or is it just a matter of time before the goals begin to pour in? Writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson (Back like he never left), alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, are back on the weekly podcast grind for the 2021 season. In this sixth episode of the year, our trio looks back on LAFC's 2-0 loss to Seattle, as well as the club's difficult start in general, and offer optimism as to why the next eight matches of the season present the perfect opportunity for a much needed turnaround.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E06: 2021 Seattle Sounders Recap & Colorado Rapids Preview

During Los Angeles Football Club's short history, there is no question which team in L.A. has been more successful, yet the Los Angeles Galaxy have stubbornly played up to LAFC in their derby matches. LAFC's latest attempt to win its first match in Dignity Health Sports Park ended in another defeat at the feet of its rivals to the south. The Galaxy's 2-1 victory over LAFC over the weekend was the latest example that the team's hot start behind Chicharito is not a fluke, and sends LAFC back to the drawing board in search of answers and results. Season Pass boss Alex Dwyer and in-house tactician Pierce Maher form a two-man attack for this week's episode (Ryan will be back next week). In this fifth episode of the year, our Dweezy and Coach P. look back on LAFC's 2-1 road loss against the Galaxy and forward to this weekend's early season rematch against the Seattle Sounders.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E05: 2021 L.A. Galaxy Recap & Sounders Preview

Los Angeles Football Club drew its second consecutive match in its first road game of the season against the Dynamo in Houston. A sequence of excellent passing early in the second half of a scoreless match ended with Corey Baird's second goal of the young season, but LAFC relinquished the lead minutes later and left Houston with only one point in hand. After the match, head coach Bob Bradley said that the team simply wasn't good enough on the day to win. The effort, decision making and intensity will all have to be higher this weekend against the Los Angeles Galaxy, who have started the season well very on offense through a resurgent Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez. Carlos Vela is a game time decision for LAFC, but Blackmon could return to the back line this weekend to help beat back the Galaxy's attacks. Overall, LAFC are still looking for the offensive gear that the team is accustomed to playing in; a big performance against the crosstown rivals could be just the thing to kickstart the black and gold attack. Writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, are back on the weekly podcast grind for the 2021 season. In this fourth episode of the year, our trio looks back on LAFC 1-1 road draw against Houston and forward to this weekend's battle for Los Angeles against the Carson, no, crosstown rival Galaxy.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E04: 2021 Houston Dynamo Recap & L.A. Galaxy Preview

The Seattle Sounders marched on Banc Of California Stadium in week two of the 2021 Major League Soccer season, and while Los Angeles Football Club's 1-1 draw against their rivals to the north was a result that fit the match, Seattle's players showed once again that they are undaunted by LAFC's fortress, a claim few in MLS can make. Ninety seconds into the match, Eduard Atuesta's free kick under the wall gave LAFC the fastest lead in team history, but that was the last time the black and gold would find the back of the net. Seattle recovered to pitch a shutout the rest of the way, and managed to equalize against Pablo Sisniega to take a point on the road. It was a far cry from scoring clinic Seattle put on in the 4-0 beatdown of Minnesota United in their season opener, but even without Jordan Morris and Nicolo Lodiero, the Sounders matched LAFC step for step in a battle of attrition that Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi were also absent for. Writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, have hit the ground running in 2021. In this third episode of the year, our trio looks back on the draw against Seattle and forward to this weekend's first road match of the season in Houston against the Dynamo.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E03: Seattle Sounders Recap & Houston Dynamo Preview

Make it four victories in season four season openers for Los Angeles Football Club. LAFC welcomed an expansion team to the league with a loss for the second consecutive season opener, beating F.C. Austin 2-0 at Banc of California Stadium in the first match of the club's fourth season. LAFC opened the season with a clean sheet, but the day wasn't without its challenges. Carlos Vela left with a phantom injury in the first half and 60 minutes into the match, Austin's defense was proving difficult to break down for LAFC. Corey Baird's first LAFC goal was the highlight of the day, while Jose Cifuentes' strike in added time put the match on ice. Writers-at-Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, have hit the ground running to begin the 2021 season. In this second episode of the year, our trio looks back on the home opener against Austin F.C., and forward to this weekend's early season showdown with the Seattle Sounders.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E02: 2021 Austin F.C. Recap & Seattle Sounders Preview

Off the field, 2020 was a year of trauma, turmoil and unmitigated disaster for most of the human race. On the field for Los Angeles Football Club, season three was a year of growth, development, and a hell of a run through the CONCACAF Champions League. The club had less turnover this offseason than in previous years, so 2021 represents an opportunity to see what the current unit (which does feature some new faces) can do in a more traditional season. First up for LAFC in 2021 is a second consecutive home opener that welcomes a new team to Major League Soccer. LAFC won its own inaugural match in Seattle against the Sounders in 2018, defeated the defending western conference champions in Sporting Kansas City at home in 2019 and won last season's home opener against Inter Miami CF in their first ever league match. Now, LAFC will look to make it 4-4 in season openers as they welcome Austin F.C. to Banc of California Stadium. Alright, alright, alright. Writers at Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside in-house tactician Pierce Maher, have hit the ground running ahead of the 2021 season. Before the home opener against Austin FC ignites the new season, our trio looks back on the good bad and ugly of 2020 and examine the state of the team ahead of the start of 2021 campaign on Saturday, April 17th at the Banc.

LAFC Season Pass S03/E01: 2021 Season Opener Preview: Next Stop Austin F.C.

2020 is over, and for Los Angeles Football Club, the year ended 20 minutes short of a historic victory in the CONCACAF Champions League Final. After defeating Cruz Azul and Club America in thrilling match ups, a Diego Rossi golazo had LAFC just 20 minutes away from the North American crown. However, Tigres UANL, which had lost three of the last four tournament finals coming into the 2020 edition, took control of the match in its last breaths and pulled off a 2-1 comeback victory. The result was a disappointment, but there is so much good to glean from LAFC's run to the final. The club showed toughness and heart in taking the hardest possible route through the tournament; LAFC became the first club to eliminate three Mexican teams in one Champions League campaign, and very nearly eliminated a fourth. Despite an up and down MLS season that ended in a quick playoff dismissal, LAFC's performance on the international stage shows that it is still one of America's premier clubs. You'd better ask somebody. Writers at Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside Josh Gross, recap and discuss LAFC's tournament run, highlighting all of the brightest moments from the team's Cinderella run in Orlando.

LAFC Season Pass S02/E19: 2020 Season Finale, CONCACAF Champions League Recap

The 2020 Major League Soccer campaign is in the books, and Los Angeles Football Club's season-long roller coster is approaching the part that riders stare at nervously while waiting in line. LAFC's 9-5-8 record in 2020 reflects the ups and downs of a turbulent season, but the club qualified of the playoffs and (since Bob Bradley wholeheartedly rejects the underdog moniker) has assumed the role of the team no one wants to play in the postseason. LAFC won the first two of its final four matches against the Los Angeles Galaxy (2-0) and Houston Dynamo (2-1), but fell to the San Jose Earthquakes (3-2) and drew the Portland Timbers (1-1_ to close out the season. The relative stumble in the final two matches saw LAFC fall to the seventh seed in a tight western conference table, meaning LAFC will travel to Seattle on Tuesday to take on the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders in a rematch of last year's Western Conference Final. It's the fifth match up in 2020 between the clubs; each team has two victories against the other in the four regular season matches. Unfortunately, positive COVID 19 test results to multiple LAFC players leave the club unexpectedly short-handed coming into Tuesday's match. LAFC have an uphill battle to climb in the first round; the black and gold need all of your support from afar! Writers at Large Alex Dwyer and Ryan Wallerson, alongside long lost Josh Gross(!!!), have gotten the original band back together. In this postseason preview episode of the Season Pass podcast, we three look at the end of LAFC's regular season, and examine the upcoming playoff match up against the Sounders.

LAFC Season Pass S02/E18: End Of Regular Season Recap, Seattle Sounders Playoff Preview

LAFC // NEWS // Buying the black & gold ticket, taking the ride. Ryan Wallerson (Writer-At-Large) & Alex Dwyer (MLSsoccer.com) Theme: Sean Dwyer (IG @dweezus818) Art: Adam Talan (IG @thedirtyboy)

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LAFC Season Pass Podcast | It Never Rains LA

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