Following the excitement of El Tráfico, Los Angeles FC were back in action at the Banc of California Stadium, and this time they welcomed Minnesota United, who are one of several teams in the chasing pack of the Western Conference. No Vela, no problems? That's what we wanted to find out as we took our seats for the latest in our ‘Framed’ series.
On paper, this one looked like it would be a tough task for Minnesota, who game into the game without a win in their last three. LAFC on the other hand were looking to extend their six-game unbeaten streak and their league lead. With the intimidating backdrop of the Banc of California Stadium, and roared on by the ever-faithful 3252 supporters, the home side were odds-on. But this is football, right? We all know what can happen and the unpredictability is exactly why we love it.
Sure enough, it was Minnesota's Mason Toye who decided to have the defining say on the match with a first half brace. The U.S. striker – having recently received a call up to the under-23s – picked up the ball in his own half, beat two men, laid the ball off to Jan Gregus, and continued his run towards what looked like an impenetrable wall of five black shirts. But a beautifully weighted slide rule pass found Toye in space in the area, albeit at an acute angle, and a delightful finish with his weaker left foot rounded off the move. Not content with that effort though, Toye bettered it within five minutes, picking up the ball well outside the area and sending a rasper into the top corner to silence the home crowd. Toye playing with the LAFC defence and having a ball, it seemed, with a jig of joy to top it off.
Try as they might, LAFC could not find a way past the resolute Minnesota backline, which included a top-form Vito Mannone. It ultimately meant that, despite dominating posession, they suffered their first home defeat in the league this season and only the second league defeat at the Banc in their history. After last season’s 5-1 mauling, it appears LAFC have found their bogey team.
Photography by Grace Stufkosky for SoccerBible.
