LAFC vs Seattle Sounders – June 21, 2023
Taking first place in the Western Conference, the Black and Gold are back in the lead after a 1-0 victory in the LAFC vs Seattle Sounders match on Wednesday. Mateusz Bogusz’s goal early on was enough to hold off the Sounders while goalkeeper John McCarthy made two saves.
Recorded as the fastest goal scored for LAFC this 2023 season, Bogusz’s goal was clocked at 53 seconds from the jump. He received the ball inside his own half and dribbled around 30 yards down the middle of the field after passing back and forth with Kwadwo Opoku. Bogusz’s 25-yard right-footer ricocheted off Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen and drove right inside the right post as goalkeeper Stefan Frei missed the save.
Only former LAFC forward Cristian Arango has scored a faster goal in LAFC’s six-year history, doing so just 20 seconds into a game against Real Salt Lake back the 2021 MLS season.
“It’s very nice to score goals of course,” said Bogusz. “But the most important is the team. I’m very happy that we got three points at home because it’s been a long time since we won here. I will keep working and hopefully I will score more goals.”
In the 76th minute, it seemed as if LAFC were able to double the lead following a free kick from Bogusz to José Cifuentes, who shot a brilliant header, but the call was reversed after video review showed the ball deflected off Cifu’s hand. Nonetheless, the game resulted in back to back wins for LAFC.
“I think the priorities tonight were to win and the guys got that right,” stated LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo. “They put in the necessary work in Kansas City first, and then capitalized on it again tonight, so very pleased with that. I think the textbook discipline and the awareness and the effort is back.”
The Black and Gold will get a two-day break to prep for the Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday, June 24.
