The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) clinched the best record in the Western Conference Saturday night without having to kick a ball. A tie by Austin FC guaranteed that LAFC would have the number one seed throughout the MLS playoff in the Western Conference.
It was quite a turnaround for the “Black and Gold” who failed to make the postseason for the first time in franchise history in 2021. This year new coach Steve Cherundolo was able to reverse their ninth-place finish from last year and has them still in contention to clinch their second Supporters Shield.
LAFC have three games left to play and if they win out, they will clinch the Supporters Shield over the Philadelphia Union. It seemed that a Supporters Shield was almost guaranteed, but a month-long swoon has brought this dream down to the wire.
Supporters Shield or not, LAFC never relinquished their top position in the west.
Despite their recent struggles, LAFC has been consistent all season leading the Western Conference in goal differential (+27) despite major turnover in their roster from a year ago.
Coach Cherundolo summed up the season saying, “We as a group have taken the steps, this is one more and it’s a rewarding process.
With one achievement under the belt, LAFC has a few more steps to go if they will finally taste MLS Cup glory.
