LAFC downs Revolution and stays at atop the MLS summit

LAFC’s first-ever match in New England featured two of the most high profile coaches in United States soccer history exchanging pleasantries before the game, but no more.

Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena were both treating this game as a must-win. As soon as it got underway, the team from LA started pushing the Revolution back. Not even ten minutes had passed when Diego Rossi lobbed the ball into the back of the net to give LAFC the lead.

The 25,515 fans in attendance were very unhappy with most of the referee’s calls. The matchup between Carlos Vela and Edgar Castillo kept the referee on his toes. Vela kept attacking New England through the right side while the former US and Mexico International shadowed the MVP candidate’s every move.

Vela nearly added a goal for Los Angeles towards the end of the first half. On a breakaway, Carlos shot attempt inside the box almost went in, but Andrew Farrell cleared the ball on the goal line. That would be about as close as Vela would get to scoring in the game.

The second half got underway with some high intensity. New England nearly tied in the first five minutes of the but Teal Bunbury missed a wide-open shot. Only a few minutes later, Vela had the opportunity to increase the lead, but his shot inside failed to go in following a fabulous save by Matt Turner.

The Revolution were riding a seven-game undefeated streak including three consecutive victories where they scored ten goals and allowed only one. Bruce Arena’s men did not want that streak to end, but LAFC, however, kept pressing forward, and their aggressiveness paid off dividends.

The team from California scored a beautiful goal in the 72nd minute. Latif Blessing finished a play with a left-footed shot inside the box. The play begins with an Eduard Atuesta pass to Jordan Harvey who then dished it out to Blessing who was there to finish it. After the game, Bob Bradley said: “It was a great team goal, and Latiff had the composure to finish it in a great way.”

Vela nearly scored in the last minute of the game, but Turner saved his shot. El Bombardero will have to wain another week to become the all-time Mexican scoring leader in MLS history.

LAFC continues to hold a commanding lead of the top of the Western Conference standings. As of the end of this game, they lead San Jose by 14 points. Up next for LAFC is a showdown versus the NY Red Bulls at Banc of California Stadium. For their part, Bruce Arena and his team will have to regroup as they get ready to travel to Seattle to take on the Sounders.