A new chapter in Los Angeles soccer history was written on Sunday night. LAFC opened Banc of California Stadium with the first home win in Club history.
The 1-0 win Seattle to start the year was flipped on its head. The early goal replaced by a stoppage-time winner from LAFC captain Laurent Ciman. LAFC and its Supporters will cherish it nonetheless. The first of many in their new home.
Here are five takeaways from LAFC's first three points at home:
History Made In The Heart Of Los Angeles
Any review of this match would be incomplete without first talking about the atmosphere in Banc of California Stadium.
Well before the first whistle, the area around Banc of California Stadium was buzzing. Supporters gathered to welcome LAFC home after a six-match road trip to start the season. A date years in the making was punctuated by drums, chants, and Black & Gold smoke.
Supporters pushed their side on for 90 minutes plus. And the delirium that followed Laurent Ciman's match-winning goal was deafening.
Carlos Vela Is Going To Need Some Ice
To say Seattle gave Carlos Vela a rough ride might be selling it short a bit.
The Sounders took a liberties with the Mexican international all match, leaving a foot in here and there, lowering the shoulder, and even straight up kicking the LAFC playmaker. Vela finished the match with six fouls suffered from the opposition.
But the sixth and final foul resulted in a the game-winning free kick. That being said, Vela will likely need a few ice packs to celebrate the win.
Tactical Battles All Over The Field
From a tactical perspective, there were a few interesting tidbits in this match.
With LAFC fullbacks Steven Beitashour and Jordan Harvey pushing high up the pitch most of the night, Seattle soaked up pressure and countered with a chess move of their own.
Clint Dempsey took up a position next to Will Bruin for long stretches, morphing Seattle's 4-2-3-1 into a more traditional 4-4-2. The move placed added pressure on LAFC's isolated center backs, keeping them from stepping up to challenge the roaming Nicolás Lodeiro
In midfield, Benny Feilhaber and Mark-Anthony Kaye, and later Eduard Atuesta, put in a strong effort handing off Lodeiro all night. The conscious attempt to shadow Lodeiro made sure the Uruguayan wasn't able to find his usual pockets of space despite Dempsey and Bruin looking to stretch play.
The match didn't dazzle in the goal column, but the battles across the pitch led to an entertaining affair nonetheless.
Omar Gaber Makes His First Start
The Egyptian defender made his long-awaited return from injury with a cameo performance in LAFC's 2-0 win in Vancouver, followed by a strong substitute showing in the Club's comeback victory in Montreal.
Against the Sounders, Gaber got the call from the start, going nearly 60 minutes. Playing in an advanced role in Bob Bradley's 4-2-3-1, Gaber combined well with teammates and helped lock down LAFC's right side.
With the May 1 transfer deadline quickly approaching, Gaber's return feels like an incoming transfer in a lot of ways.
A Mistake, But Three Points All The Same
Stefan Frei is definitely, definitely going to want this one back.
It was the beauty that Ciman hit in Montreal, but in many ways, Supporters will love this goal much more. The first goal at home in LAFC history. The first game-winner at Banc of California Stadium. And a beauty all its own.
