Describing LAFC’s recent challenges as merely difficult would be an understatement. Following a strong start to the season with a convincing victory against the Seattle Sounders at home, the team encountered a formidable obstacle. Their momentum halted abruptly, akin to hitting a snowbank in Utah and careening off a cliff.
Since then, they’ve struggled not only to secure another victory but also to find the back of the net. This is particularly worrisome given the team’s considerable talent, including the reigning Golden Boot winner spearheading their offensive efforts. Nonetheless, with the season still in its early stages, tonight presents an opportunity for a turnaround.
Addressing the glaring issue at hand, one of the fundamental aspects of winning in this sport is scoring goals—putting the ball in the net by any means necessary.
However, for LAFC, this task has proven far more challenging than anticipated. The team has suffered a goal drought in their last three matches, with two of those resulting in defeats.
Despite their persistent efforts, evidenced by a combined 41 shots in those three matches, they’ve struggled to convert chances into goals, falling short even after hitting double digits in attempts in all but their latest match against Minnesota United.
Head Coach Steve Cherundolo hasn’t shied away from demanding more from his players during this rough patch, especially singling out Denis Bouanga, who has yet to register a goal on the scoresheet in 2024.
As the saying goes, you can’t win a match if you don’t score. While draws can secure points, in a league as competitive as MLS, particularly in the Western Conference, settling for draws could quickly derail postseason aspirations.
LAFC urgently needs to identify and rectify their scoring woes before their season spirals out of control. Despite the early stage of the season, the team finds themselves in 10th place, much closer to the bottom-ranked San Jose than to the table-topping Minnesota.
Regarding their recent form, LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez emphasized the need for improvement, not just in terms of results, but also individually, recognizing the collective effort required for success. Despite their early season struggles, the team has remained transparent and open about their challenges, acknowledging the expectations from fans and themselves alike.
In preparation for their upcoming match against Nashville, LAFC defender Aaron Long highlighted the importance of execution in both defense and offense.
Nashville, in contrast, has managed to score in every match except their season opener, showcasing a more balanced attack despite their own star player, Hany Mukhtar, failing to find the net thus far. With previous encounters between LAFC and Nashville being closely contested, expect a gritty battle where every goal could prove decisive.
