Los Angeles FC are off to a running start and will bring plenty of momentum into a visit from New York City FC on Saturday in a match that pits two of the past four MLS champions.
LAFC (1-0-0, 3 points) not only earned a 1-0 victory in their MLS opener last weekend against Minnesota United, but the club advanced in the CONCACAF Champions Cup by shutting out the Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Tuesday to complete a two-leg opening-round series.
Mark Delgado scored his first ever goal for LAFC on Tuesday, while Jeremy Ebobisse delivered in the 78th minute of the league opener to get the regular season off to a strong start. Hugo Lloris only needed a combined two saves to earn the consecutive clean sheets.
“The defensive part of the game for us is black and white, there’s no gray area,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “We have clear rules, and right now the players are staying disciplined, following the rules and not conceding many chances.”
The news was not all positive for LAFC, as Sergi Palencia is under investigation by CONCACAF for an alleged derogatory comment late in the Tuesday game toward the Rapids’ Chidozie Awaziem, who is from Nigeria.
NYCFC (0-0-1, 1 point) opened their season last weekend with a disappointing 2-2 road draw against Inter Miami. Mitja Ilenic and Alonso Martinez each scored for NYCFC to help cover a pair of assists from Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, with the second coming in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time.
NYCFC earned the point after Inter Miami was reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute, when Tomas Aviles was given a straight red card for a foul on Martinez not long after scoring the opening goal. Ilenic scored on the set play after Aviles’ departure.
“Just a little too short. That sums it all up,” NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen said. “But an away game against Miami is always a challenge, and I think my boys took on the challenge with a brave heart and they were very courageous. … Then again, it’s always very sad to concede a late equalizer.”
NYCFC have not lost in three all-time MLS matches against LAFC, going 1-0-2. The teams have not faced each other since 2021, when NYCFC earned a 2-1 victory at Los Angeles.
–Field Level Media
