LAFC Hosting the Loons
First game of the 30th year of MLS and the first touch, the actual kickoff is muffed.
A deep throw goes halfway into the area, that is essentially a kick coming in, they must do more with that, as it is headed out by the LA backline. LA looks to go end line and back and forth with no outlet it is defended out and right back come Minnesota. Down the right side then in across into the 6 is not even on target. LA gets a throw it is headed back, recovered then they play it out of touch at about the same spot they had their throw, these lost restarts are not good on either side. From Trapp into the area, a pair from each team there a few go down and LA plays it out. Trapp defends a ball in, LA get a deeper throw and it goes to the center circle. Bounaga with a long distance shot, curling to goal, but too high. Loons go off the near post, from Yeboah, then win a foul, taken as a short corner. Now an actual corner on the other side. The ball bounces all over in the 6, a clearance hits a blue shirt and the GK is forced to a save. LA with a corner hits one keeps going and they recover, played over the end line for a corner from the other side now. Martinez goes far post, finds his man but well off balance on the end line and headed out for a goal kick. Martinez from beyond the area, lets one rip, high and wide. Yeboah draws some attention at the corner, LA recovers, pass to the GK under a lot of pressure. A high arcing ball in from Minnesota is grabbed up by St. Clair. A ball in, United players do not react well it bounds out through and another corner. A ball driven through the area goes out, over all, goal kick. LA under pressure gets it forward and a long ball in goes out. Trapp with a nice chip, his player sends it goal ward and the St John’s grad is just wide. LA gets to the top of the 6, now shot but there was defense, then a foul, it’s coming out. Long up to the task of defending Yeboah and gives up a corner. LA holding near midfield, the lack of getting forward leads to the ball being lost, then a foul, United getting forward. Too much mustard on an outlet pass and LA get another go with a late whistle. Another long ball gone awry for LA, the run was well timed, but just beyond his reach. Down the line defended out by United, on the throw a foul and it is coming out, Bouanaga is due a card from the center, the MLS Ref of the Year last year, Guido Gonzalez. United win a ball just in their half, no support and they cannot make a run. Speaking to the growth of MLS and how it does NOT help develop the America player, one team may start 11 players form 11 different nations, yet the league is stronger. Boxall cautioned for grabbing a player. A foul just beyond the area, a very dangerous chance here at 41’. This will be a shot not a bad angle. Taken low, blocked by the wall, another shot blocked to the mid point. Martinez, somehow beats a player crossing the top of the area, then a half chance, the first shot on goal of the game. Boxall with a lunging effort gets it out of danger and just makes the touchline for a throw rather than a corner. A high throw gets to the top of the area, Tillman sends it to the goal but a bit wide. Martinez beats a pair, does go down, no PK. Somehow Bouanga dances down the end line then a goal kick but time ends first.
LA has had the better of the play, yet have nothing to show for it. Minnesota need to get their shots off. Neither team has impressed, neither outplaying the other and each have had their fair share of chances.
This kickoff goes straight back to the United GK. Minnesota in their defensive third play into traffic. St Clair just picks up a long run by Bounga, who should have shot a stride earlier as a defender was draped all over him. United with a deep throw, then win a corner, they found the target in the 6. Taken to the near post LA has it then lost it, they recover and Bounaga is fouled in their offensive third. Yeboah with not enough spin to beat his mark in the area, a poor angle. Tillman with a 40 yard ball to the chest of Bounaga, he hesitates, defender passes and the shot, not an issue. A steal at the center circle and Yeboah is taken down from behind in the arc, the defender is arguing this call. Just beyond the area Yeboah backs up looking upper 90, well off. Bouanga reels in a long ball, defended away near the end line. Martinez the target over the top at the 6, but with a pair of players on him and the GK right there, it is grabbed up with ease. A hard foul gets a yellow for Dotson, stopping a promising attack. A ball in forces the United GK to play it over the end line. Delgado too strong of a ball into the area, gets to the ‘keeper. Ebobisse on the first goal of the year terrific ball movement and so well placed of a shot. A trio of passes in the area leads to the open player, his first touch shot finds the back of the net, then he is subbed as Will Ferrell is on his feet. With 10’ to play, expect United to press and a more open balance of the game to come. Giroud from Bouanga, kicked out by the defense. Into the area, flicked on but the GK of LA steps up and grabs it up. LA, content now to just play keep away as they pass it around, not going near midfield. Loons holding in and around the area, not trying to get in on goal. A ball in headed out, they recover and from the top of the area they go off the cross bar at 88’, and get a corner. A 3 v 2 for LA but the defense holds, the ball should have been played away. Yeboah from the top of the arc, right at the netminder.