LAFC finds late win in stoppage time against Real Salt Lake
After an exceptional performance by Vela against New York City, the Los Angeles Football Club return to the Banc of California Stadium to host Real Salt Lake for their fourth matchup of the season. LAFC seek revenge against their opponents after being knocked out of the MLS playoffs last season. But Real Salt Lake isn’t the same team as last season and arrive to LA hoping for a better result after suffering a humiliating loss of 5-0 to DC United last Saturday.
Bob Bradley, LAFC head coach, said he was expecting Salt Lake to come in organized and with a game plan since some of their players are out due to international duty. Real Salt Lake will have to do what they can to defend their side of the field, to stop Vela and his teammates to prevent another massacre to their goal.
LAFC with eight goals in favor, have the second-best offense so far, giving their rivals a strong warning of what they’re capable of.In the first half of the game, it was Vela who put high pressure on Nick Rimando, Salt Lake goalkeeper, in the 28th minute. Vela took a freekick a few feet outside the box and Rimando saved the shot with his right hand as he jumped in the air, keeping the score at a 0-0 draw.
In the 35th minute, LA defense lost the ball close to the goal area, giving their rivals an opportunity for a counter attack. Sebastian Saucedo took the ball in the penalty area when was hit from behind by Latif Blessing, causing the referee to mark a penalty against the home team. Damir Kreilach did the honors by scoring the first goal of the game and putting his team with a 1-0 lead.
It took four minutes for LAFC to react and equalize. Vela led the play with a pass to Latif, in which he tried to pass to an open Diomande but was cut short after a defensive slide from Donny Toia. The ball unfortunately went to Diego Rossi and took a left kick to leave the first half at 1-1.
Salt Lake was able to capitalize on the scoreboard with an early goal from Saucedo but was later called offsides by the assistant referee with his flag up in the air.As the game seemed like it would end in a draw, Rossi received a foul on the face by Justin Portillo and the referee gave him direct red card, leaving his team with 10-men in the 84th minute. Portillo had just coming in a substitute, only to leave the field nine minutes later.
LAFC started pushing Real Salt Lake back and it was in the 91st minute where Walker Zimmerman became the man of the match after scoring an unexpected shot from outside the box, leaving Rimando standing and ending the game with a 2-1 win. Los Angeles continues its undefeated streak with 3 wins and 1 tie. This latest win places them on top of the standings, while Real Salt Lake sinks to 8th place of the Western Conference.
