By Justin Ruderman
After beating FC Dallas and LA Galaxy respectively, Austin FC traveled to Los Angeles to face LAFC in the MLS Western Conference Final on Sunday afternoon. Nobody can say the two aren’t deserving as these were the top two teams in the Western Conference during the regular season as well. The two teams also both have two of the best young coaches in MLS this season in Josh Wolff (45) and Steve Cherundolo (43). The latter was nominated for Coach of the Year but missed out on the award, finishing third in voting. Wolff made one change from the win against Dallas, electing for new designated player Emiliano Rigoni instead of Ethan Finlay on the right wing. Steve Cherundolo also made one change, though it wasn’t necessarily by choice. Giorgio Chiellini started at center back instead of Eddie Segura who was injured against Galaxy and was therefore unable to play, though there is a high likelihood Chiellini would’ve gotten the start regardless. The only thing on the line? A trip to MLS Cup.
Match Summary
LAFC took the opening kickoff and didn’t look back. Austin FC played out of the back for the first ten minutes, competing in the match, but were completely unable to do so afterward, getting strangled in midfield by LAFC. Possession, flow, chances, and any other metric outside of defensive actions were dominated by LAFC for the entire first half. The only thing that didn’t go to plan for the Black and Gold was attacking the 3252 in the North End, which they normally like to do in the second half of games. On the other hand, perhaps that is what fed their hot start. Postgame Ryan Hollingshead discussed the boost the team receives when hearing the crowd’s excitement throughout matches. The first real sight at goal for LAFC came when José Cifuentes rattled a shot off the post in the 17th minute. Denis Bouanga was similarly unable to finish when he rounded Brad Stuver with a clever header in the 28th minute. Julio Cascante recovered quickly for Austin FC to only give up a corner from Bouanga’s shot. However, LAFC finally found the breakthrough on the ensuing corner as Chicho Arango found the back of the net once again, this time with his head from a set piece routine. LAFC had a few more chances, most notably through Carlos Vela via a sensational ball over the top from Jesús Murillo as well as José Cifuentes when LAFC countered after picking off Austin in midfield. The game went to half 1-0 to the Black and Gold with Verde recording one total shot, which came in stoppage time from Julio Cascante but was blocked.
Austin FC started the second half with more energy and did manage to get one shot on target in the second half, also from Julio Cascante in the 80th minute. It was only the one though as the rest of the half, despite Chiellini being substituted (precautionary) for Sebastien Ibeagha, was once again dominated by the Black and Gold. It started with a little help from Verde striker Maximiliano Urruti who put a quality header in the back of the net from a corner kick, like any striker is trained to do. The problem for him was that he put it in his own net and put LAFC up 2-0 in the 62nd minute. Just four minutes later Urruti had a penalty claim at the other end when Ibeagha stepped on his foot as he fell to the ground at the top of the box. Video Assistant Referee Timothy Ford advised Armando Villareal to take a look at a replay with the on-field monitor but Villareal didn’t see enough to overturn his original call, so play went on. The penalty claim was Verde’s last chance to rescue a chance in the match as LAFC made a couple substitutions, one of which put the dagger in Austin FC in the 81st minute. As Bouanga challenged Diego Fagúndez for the ball in midfield, it spun back toward Austin’s goal, taking a wicked bounce over the head of Cascante. Substitute Mahala Opoku read it quickly and jumped at the opportunity, smashing his shot into the bottom right corner from eighteen yards away. It was the cherry on top for the Black and Gold but a deserved scoreline as well. One could argue LAFC deserved an even better scoreline which they nearly got through Denis Bouanga late in stoppage time, but his goal was ruled out. Regardless of the scoreline, LAFC are headed to their first MLS Cup in franchise history as hosts after winning their second Supporters’ Shield in only five years of existence. They are a blueprint for an MLS expansion side and will look to take the biggest step in cementing themselves as an MLS super club on November 5th.
Looking Good
I could write a book on everything that looked good in this dominant Western Conference Final win for LAFC but I’ll start with likely the most important one; mentality. As multiple players mentioned postgame, the team was fully prepared for this game not only physically and tactically, but they were mentally locked in for 90 minutes. They weren’t worried about the repercussions of losing. They weren’t looking ahead to MLS Cup. They were solely focused on the task at hand, confident in their ability to get the job done. Ilie Sánchez even joked that he forgot it was a Western Conference Final when he was on the pitch. I have no doubt LAFC will bring the same mentality come MLS Cup.
Early in the season LAFC were constantly causing chaos on offensive set pieces (especially corners) led by 19-year old Senegalese CB Mamadou Fall. However, ever since he left the club on loan to Villareal B the Black and Gold have struggled on set pieces. Chicho Arango changed that in two games with two playoff-game-winning goals from corner kicks. Carlos Vela’s delivery was so good today, even Maxi Urruti headed one home. Set piece goals can be difference makers in playoff games, just when LAFC found their groove again.
The last area I will highlight is the defensive stranglehold LAFC had against Austin, as well as Galaxy a week ago. As Steve Cherundolo pointed out when I asked him about it, the defensive success is about all eleven players. LAFC defends as a team with each player occupying a specific role. The front three press high, closing down passing lanes, and directing the opponent which way to play. The midfield looks to pick off a pass, hold up play, or shut down passing lanes depending on the situation. The defenders, of course, put in the challenges, make the clearances, and block the shots. Most people will look at the defensive stats, such as the fact that Austin only had seven shots with only one being on target. The stats that impress me are more specific. MVP candidate Sebastian Driussi was limited to 33 touches. Striker Moussa Djitte and DP winger Emiliano Rigoni only had 20 each. To me these are the stats that show it was not only the defensive effort from the backline, but midfield dominance from LAFC that prevented Austin’s best and most important players from getting involved. The team effort defensively led to 0.39 expected goals (xG) conceded against Galaxy and only 0.35xG to Austin. If they can repeat this trend in the MLS Cup Final they’re nearly guaranteed the trophy.
Areas for Improvement
There is only one thing left to do; beat the Philadelphia Union and lift MLS Cup.
Player Ratings:
Crépeau: 7
Hollingshead: 8
Murillo: 8
Chiellini: 8.5
Palacios: 7.5
Sánchez: 9 (MOTM)
Acosta: 8
Cifuentes: 8.5
Bouanga: 8
Arango: 9
Vela: 9
Ibeagha: 7
Opoku: 8.5
Mendez: 7.5
Escobar: N/A
