Steve Cherundolo’s team continues to have problems putting games away in 2024
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) faces criticism after letting the lead slip twice before conceding a third goal against Colorado this Saturday, resulting in a 3-2 defeat. The result puts LAFC in 9th place in the standings, ahead of the rivalry game this coming weekend against the LA Galaxy, which leads the West with 12 points, five more than the rival.
Despite showing promise with his moves and skills, [STARTING FOR LAFC] is an extremely tough position for [Martinez] OR ANY young upcoming player looking for growth.
Despite starting well, with goals from Eduard Atuesta and David Martinez, LAFC failed to maintain their lead twice, once in each half, allowing the Colorado Rapids to turn the game around in the final moments. The game started well for LAFC, with Eduard Atuesta scoring his second goal in a row for the Black and Gold in the eighth minute, giving his team the advantage, but the team showed fragility and could not put the opponent away.
LAFC: Problems in Defense
LAFC’s defense could not hold on to the lead, conceding an equalizing goal before halftime thanks to a miscue on a corner. Even after retaking the lead in the second half with Martinez’s goal, LAFC failed to protect its advantage again. The defense proved vulnerable, allowing the Colorado Rapids’ newly signed Đorđe Mihailović to equalize and eventually secure victory in the game’s final moments for his new team.
David Martinez – Goal and Red Card
What a way to score your first-ever MLS goal, David Martínez! 😮💨@LAFC leads it late in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/WyssDD16ZZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 30, 2024
Late in the game, a red card for Martinez, the scorer of the second goal, left LAFC with ten players. This was a severe blow to the team, exacerbating its defensive vulnerability even more, showing that Martinez may not be ready for a starting role with the team. Despite showing promise with his moves and skills, it is an extremely tough position for any young upcoming player looking for growth.
Can LAFC Turn Things Around?
LAFC’s inconsistent performance and inability to maintain a lead against middle-of-the-table opponents raise serious questions about the team’s defensive quality and ability to close out games successfully. The team’s lack of concentration in crucial moments and propensity to make defensive errors on the road will require immediate attention from the coaching staff and locker room leaders. Otherwise, the team risks facing more frustrating defeats in the future, like the one who slipped away in Colorado this Saturday.
Cover: Colorado Rapids