LAFC, playing in only their second season since the club’s collective creation, had the chance to lift the first piece of silverware in their short history when they faced Houston Dynamo. With anticipation levels at an all-time high amongst the 3252 supporters, this was one we couldn’t miss, so we headed to the Banc of California Stadium for the latest instalment in our ‘Framed’ series.
LA is a city that’s used to the glitz and glam of a special event, and that same feeling of excitement was carried within the rocking Banc of California Stadium when Houston Dynamo came to town, not for the visiting side's presence of course (sorry Dynamo fans), but because a win would secure the 2019 MLS Supporters' Shield, LAFC’s first bit of silverware since their creation two years ago. But to clinch a win the team would have to reverse their fortunes of late, as they came into the game on the back of a five game winless streak. While Carlos Vela has got a lot of the headlines for his goals and assists this season, it’s been the team effort that’s got LAFC to where they are, making the Supporters' Shield a matter of when, not if.
Almost inevitably it was Vela who got the ball rolling for the home side, converting from the spot. The lead was short lived, with Houston equalising through an own goal, but LAFC never looked in danger of not winning this match, the passion of the 3252 pushing them towards their literal and metaphorical goals. Two more strikes late in the second half ensured the night belonged to the home side, and with two games to play in the regular season, LAFC are now three points behind the New York Red Bulls' MLS record of 71 points in a season set last year. The club will continue to chase the regular season record books, being only four goals behind the Galaxy’s record haul of 85 from 1998, and that would be a sweet one for the club to clinch, the cherry on the cake so to speak.
So the hard work continues. At least once the celebrations have finished and the hangovers have subsided that is...
Photography by Devin L'Amoreaux for SoccerBible.
