Categories
Los Angeles FC

What we learned from LAFC’s 2-0 win over San Jose

LOS ANGELES — Before Saturday, defender Walker Zimmerman had never scored an MLS goal. That lack of experience wasn’t obvious, however, as he leapt for two headers to lead the team in a 2-0 victory over San Jose. With his head freshly buzz-cut, Zimmerman knocked in a goal midway through both halves on kicks from the right corner.

At 6-foot-3, Zimmerman’s height is often seen as an asset for the backline, giving him the stature to knock away dangerous through balls and to muscle out wily attackers. But his height is also becoming a weapon on the attacking end, where he towered over much of the San Jose backline and its keeper.

In a game of inches such as soccer, being able to guarantee a two-inch margin over a defender in the air could make the difference in consistently scoring off of corner kicks. LAFC will do well to examine these two goals and begin to mix Zimmerman in as a consistent part of the attacking strategy from the corner.

Vela continues to shine in every role

Throughout the game Saturday, Vela was flummoxed by perfect opportunities that just barely veered right or left of his target, sometimes hitting the post. In the opening moments, he sliced a perfect turn-around strike just inches too high of the goal.

But Vela continued to pressure, and he quickly adjusted into his role as a distributor for the team, taking the helm on corner kicks and setting up Zimmerman’s pair of headers. The captain remains the team leader in assists (10) and goals (11).

LAFC hits 50-point mile marker

The win on Saturday meant three more points for LAFC, which pushed it over an edge few other expansion teams have reached. Only two other expansion teams have earned this many points in their opening season, marking yet another important milestone for the team. LAFC has followed on the heels of Atlanta United as a club, exceeding expectations of success on and off the pitch.

Dallas FC and Sporting KC remain top competitors for conference

Although the home win was a welcome bolster for the black and gold squad, the top of the Western Conference is still dominated by two other teams — Dallas and Kansas City. Sporting KC had enjoyed a brief run at the top of the conference, but Dallas pulled its weight back on top, ahead of LAFC by three points. That’s only a margin of one win, and the truth of the conference is that the competition is separated by only one or two games.

However, this means that for the remainder of the season, LAFC can’t afford to cede draws. To get ahead, it will need to post an almost-perfect record in its final five games of the regular season. That includes the final match before the playoffs — a road match up with Sporting KC, which remains ahead by a margin of a single point. A win on the road in Kansas City would mark an important turning point for LAFC in its conference rankings.

Hollywood continues to love LAFC

At this point, LAFC fans are no stranger to celebrity sightings on game day. Owner Will Ferrell brought his whole family to Saturday’s game, cheering from the stands and poking his head in to congratulate head coach Bob Bradley on the victory during the post-game press conference.

And actor Gerard Butler joined the ranks of the Black and Gold, greeting the North End after the game’s conclusion and posing in an LAFC cap.