Written by: Jesus Manriquez
LAFC 2’s troubles continue as they fall 0-1 at home to the San Jose Earthquakes II making it six games into the season without a win. The Black and Gold had arguably their best game of the season with plenty of scoring chances but the inconsistency in front of goal and a defensive mistake cost them what should’ve been a better result.
The first half was all LAFC going forward exploiting San Jose’s left side through Nathan Ordaz who once again had a great game. LAFC would get their first big chance of the game in the 16th minute through Jeremi Rodriguez, who found a cross inside the small box but Emmanuel Ochoa would save his effort, sending the ball toward the post. Just five minutes later, Ordaz would find a way to dribble through San Jose’s defense and set a low cross across the box that Christian Torres would send just wide.
San Jose’s Ochoa was key for his team’s victory, saving four big scoring chances from LAFC including three in the first half. Eduardo Blancas would make LAFC pay in the 82nd minute after picking Alixson Soukup’s pocket. This was Blancas’ second goal of the year for the Earthquakes II.
Coach Duran spoke after the game about the team and the tough start of the season.
“Right now I think the main struggle is in the final third. I think we are creating enough chances to score goals but we are suffering because of our lack of goals,” said Duran. “It is making it difficult for us to get that first win that I think would change the mood of the team.”
Although it has been tough to not grab a win in the first six games, drawing two and losing four, coach Duran’s message to the team and the fans remains the same. The team will continue working hard, fighting and they know the results will start to come in in the next few weeks. One thing is clear for Duran and his team, the results aren’t a mirror of their ambition and their desire.
LAFC2 will return on May 10th when they face off against St. Louis City 2 at Titan Stadium in Fullerton. St. Louis isn’t having the best of starts either and currently sits in 11th place with a record of 1-3-2, grabbing their first win of the season just last weekend against Whitecaps FC 2.
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