LAFC vs Sporting Kansas City – June 17, 2023
In what felt like a must-win scenario, the LAFC vs Sporting Kansas City game at Children’s Mercy Park was a victory for the Black and Gold as LAFC came out with a 2-1 win on the road. The devastating winless and scoreless streak that’s been haunting them since the beginning of the month has finally ended.
Sporting KC didn’t take long to get on the board as forward Alan Pulido shot a penalty kick past LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy in the 17th minute of the match. The goal was Pulido’s fourth across the last three games played. The 32-year-old got another look at it in the 26th minute but LAFC midfielder Ilie Sánchez was able to make a nice defensive play to prevent another score.
Minutes into the second half, LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz made a beautiful cross toward Denil Maldonaldo who finished with a clean header into the far post past Sporting KC goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh. Maldonaldo’s equalizer was the Honduran’s first goal of his MLS career.
Pulido didn’t leave his foot off the pedal as he had his eyes set on another attack with a left-footed curler in the 66’. McCarthy was able to knock it away to prevent SKC from obtaining the lead.
As the minutes trickled down, McIntosh kicked a long ball that he would later on regret as LAFC’s Aaron Long beat Pulido to secure the ball on the receiving end. Long then found a wide open Vela who easily scored over McIntosh to take the lead for LAFC.
“Everybody on that field gave everything they possibly had for LAFC tonight,” said head coach Steve Cherundolo. “This club is one of the best organizations I’ve ever seen.”
Becoming the quickest team in MLS history to reach 300 points, LAFC will look to keep the momentum going as the club faces off against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, June 21.
