LAFC’s comeback shows growth

Latif Blessing and Pavón show out in LA Derby

In just 16 minutes of play, the Galaxy established a 3–1 lead and it seemed that LAFC would shrink once again when the lights were the brightest. Yet the most dynamic attack in MLS, LAFC, found a way to salvage 3–3 draw to remain undefeated at home.

The fifth installment of El Trafico, much like the other four times, did not disappoint as the Galaxy came out early with loads of energy in transition. However, Galaxy head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto approached the LAFC game tactically different than the last time.

This time, Schelotto had Cristian Pavón, the newly acquired striker on loan from Boca Juniors, at his disposal. Pavón provided dynamic dribbling and much-needed shot creation in the final third from someone not named Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In their previous meeting, Schelotto opted to forgo any possession build-up play out from the back for a more direct approach in the feet of Ibrahimovic. Galaxy still played direct but Pavón added be a bit more unpredictability in transition.

Pavón’s abilities in transition paid off almost instantly to start the game with an assist in the 2nd minute. The Argentine international split LAFC midfielders Eduard Atuesta and Latif Blessing with ease which allowed him to run directly at the LAFC back four.

Just before the first goal, Pavón’s dribbling and shooting threat allow Ibrahimovic just enough time to make a run in behind unmarked allowing him a big chance one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Pavón also found the back of the net in the 16th minute. He found himself on the end of a ball over the top, took on LAFC center back Walker Zimmerman and slotted it in near post.

Defensively, Schelotto decided to key on LAFC forward Carlos Vela by allowing left-back Jorgen Skjelvik to man mark him and to disrupt his rhythm by any means necessary. Up until the 28th minute of play, when Skjelvik was cautioned, he had kept the MVP front runner limited to mostly lateral or negative passes in the middle third of the field.

The caution limited Skjelvik’s ability to defend Vela and allowed the Mexican international to begin impact the game. Skjelvik was subbed off at halftime. Vela would eventually score the equalizer later in the match before being subbed off with an apparent hamstring injury

While Galaxy planned a solid tactical approach to better LAFC, numerous of Galaxy’s chances came from forced passes by the LAFC midfield into tight areas, especially within the first 16 minutes of the match.

Galaxy’s early goal-scoring chances stemmed from their organization defensively. On a number of occasions in the first half, the LAFC midfield forced passes that eventually led to turnovers.

“We (LAFC) were forcing passes, jamming plays…, anxious to try and recover the ball when it was too far away,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said after the match. “ It starts with how you lose the ball.”

On two of the three Galaxy goals, LAFC midfielder Mark Anthony Kaye’s turnovers immediately led to goals on the counter. The first turnover came when Kaye attempted to find Vela out wide on the right-hand side, but instead played it directly to Skjelvik’s feet. The subsequent play is an outlet pass to Pavón, who eventually creates the first goal on his own.

His second costly turnover comes when Pavón dispossessed Kaye, who attempted to dribble past Pavón.

Yet in spite of all the early mishaps by LAFC to start the match, the individual play of Blessing proved to be a positive for Bradley’s side.

Blessing finished with five successful dribbles, tied for match-high, and finished with two goals on three shots. On both of his goals, Blessing’s off-the-ball movement saw himsed in high-percentage shooting opportunities just inside the penalty area.

Blessing was LAFC’s most dynamic player and said the billboards outside of Banc of California stadium of Ibrhamovic knocking him in the last LA Derby was the motivation for his performance Sunday evening.

“I was so mad. To do that (put up a billboard of Blessing) is disrespectful… I felt disappointed,” Blessing said after the match.
“This game I felt like I needed to go all out.”

For LAFC, the second half should be positive as it is the first time that LAFC had neutralized the Galaxy’s ability to create goal-scoring by pinning back the Galaxy with its possession. As for the Galaxy, they should also be content with the draw as they continue to climb the West Conference table and remain undefeated against their cross-town rivals.