LAFC looks to continue building its attack in Colorado
Plenty of goals are worth remembering. Some assists, too. But it’s not so often that the build-up to the final product gets any recognition.
Prior to Sergi Palencia rolling a pass through the box that Eduard Atuesta jumped over, freeing Denis Bouanga for the kind of score that was exactly what the Los Angeles Football Club needed after three straight shutouts, their third goal in a 5-0 rout of Nashville last Saturday stands out as one such moment.
Starting with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, every LAFC player other than Cristian Olivera, who was operating high on the right wing, touched the ball during 15 consecutive passes that unlocked Nashville and ultimately provided Bouanga a golden chance for his first goal in the run of play this year.
After cycling the ball around the Nashville defense, the scoring play was triggered inside the LAFC half on pass No. 12.
Initially targeted on Lloris’ outlet, Palencia had the ball at his feet for a second time and deftly touched it to Timothy Tillman at midfield, setting the wheels in motion by sprinting down the right side from his fullback spot.
Tillman pushed the attack forward through Mateusz Bogusz, who wasn’t concerned with running behind the opponent’s backline and instead dropped deep into the middle as a False 9.
Currently filling the shoes Carlos Vela occupied in 2023 in an attack that is designed to unleash its wingers, Bogusz has been tasked with playing more like a fourth midfielder than a forward, helping to control and set up plays if things go as planned.
In this case, Bogusz dragged a Nashville defender out of position before reconnecting Palencia and the ball for a third time with plenty of room for the Spaniard to drive toward the edge of the box.
“Yes, we focus on that,” Bogusz said. “I try to come in deeper, get the ball, take the defender with me and create more space close to the goal. That’s the final product and I hope it will work.”
The club can add to its momentum on the road against a revamped Colorado Rapids side, led by American coach Chris Armas.
Playing alongside LAFC assistant coach Ante Razov for 141 matches with the Galaxy and Chicago Fire from 1996-2004, and a U.S. men’s national team compatriot of Razov’s as well as LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, Armas also managed Black & Gold center back Aaron Long for 58 matches during three seasons with the New York Red Bulls.
Featuring American international goalkeeper Zack Steffen, the Rapids (1-2-2, 5 points) were shut out for the first time this season in a last-minute loss at home against Houston last week, ending a three-match unbeaten run following an opening day defeat at Portland.
Armas’ group has conceded the first goal in four of five matches.
“Results have not gone their way and we’ll hope to use that to our advantage,” said Cherundolo, who indicated that his team continued making strides in practice this week.
Since Tuesday, as both sides kick around a free-agent deal, striker Kei Kamara joined them on the training pitch. Kamara, the third-leading goal scorer in MLS history, is one shy of Landon Donovan’s 145. He turns 40 in September.
LAFC (2-2-1, 7 points) also announced incoming help for its sparse back line with the signing of 34-year-old French-born center back Maxime Chanot, a veteran of the Luxembourg national team who played eight seasons for New York City FC.
LAFC AT COLORADO RAPIDS
When: 1:09 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
TV/radio: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)/710 AM, 980 AM