LAFC continued their unbeaten home streak after downing the New York Red Bulls by a final score of 4-2.
“We work hard to try to then have attacking ideas so we’re not a team that just wants to put balls out wide and cross, some teams do that,” Bob Bradley told media.
The home side remains at the top of the Western Conference standings. LAFC (17-4-3) currently have a 16 point advantage over the Seattle Sounders. And in the Supporters’ Shield race, LAFC are ahead of the Philadelphia Union by a 10-point margin.
Bob Bradley only made one change to his starting 11 on Sunday. Walker Zimmerman was suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Because of that, Tristan Blackmon replaced the USMNT defender.
Carlos Vela assists on two first-half goals
It did not take long for the hosts to break the deadlock, scoring after only 23 minutes. Carlos Vela floated in a freekick towards the middle of the box. Jordan Harvey lept and met his head on the delivery, beating Bill Hamid and scoring his first LAFC goal in his first goal in 12 years.
“It means a whole lot,” Harvey said after the match.
“I wish it would have been in front of the supporter’s section. It would have been a little bit crazier, maybe some beer would have been tossed my way.”
Two minutes later, Latif Blessing, who scored in two straight matches, doubled LAFC’s advantage. Eduard Atuesta fired the ball out wide to Vela near the area, who hit a first-time cross back through the middle of the area. Blessing then raced to get onto the end of the pass and beat a diving Luis Robles.
New York nearly found the back of the net that would have cut LAFC’s lead in half. Off of a corner kick, Tim Parker flicked a header back towards the far post. However, Steven Beitashour cleared the ball off the line.
The visitors did finally get on the score sheet four minutes before halftime to cut the deficit to one. Cristian Casseres managed to beat Tyler Miller from out of nowhere.
With seconds to go before halftime, New York leveled the match at two. Casseres played a pass into space for Daniel Royer. Then, Royer slid a dangerous ball back through the middle of the box. Brian White was able to get the final touch before the ball bounced off the back of Miller.
Four minutes after the halftime restart, LAFC could have taken the lead for good.
Mark-Anthony Kaye and Adama Diomande combined just outside the area. Kaye was able to beat Robles from long range. However, after video review, it appeared that the Canadian midfielder fouled a Red Bull in the build-up before the goal.
LAFC score twice after the break
At the hour mark, however, Atuesta won a penalty after Rece Buckmaster tangled his legs with the Colombian. Vela scored his 23rd goal of the season when he converted the penalty kick from 12-yards out.
Vela notched his second assist of the match, his 15th of the season when he found Eddie Segura, who scored his first LAFC goal, off of a freekick.
Next Up
LAFC hit the road next Saturday when they travel to take on Real Salt Lake at the Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff for this match is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
