Still Number One in The West
LAFC holds the top spot in the Western Conference with 13 points despite a tight loss to the LA Galaxy in the first LA Derby of the season.
“We are in a fair position, we have to keep our head up and focus while playing our best,” said LAFC midfielder Latif Blessing.
The Black & Gold are currently 4-1-1, averaging 2.17 ppg, while scoring 14 goals and producing an eight-point goal differential.
LAFC Hosts Sporting Kansas City
LAFC is looks to remain undefeated at home while protecting the number one spot in the West on Sunday when they host Sporting Kansas City at Banc of California Stadium. Kansas City comes into the match with a 2-5-0 record (6 points), coming off a 2-1 loss to Nashville.
“They are a good opponent, and we need to play well in order to beat them,” said LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo. “Towards the beginning of the season I think most clubs are focused on their own way of playing, as we know what’s coming our way and we respect them a great deal.”
The two clubs have met seven times in the past five years, with Kansas City holding a 4-3 advantage over the Black & Gold. Sporting Kansas City has lost their last two matches heading into Sunday, and are 0-4-0 on the road this season.
While losing their first match of the season last week to the LA Galaxy, LAFC is still undefeated at home, currently holding a 2-0-1 record at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC has only allowed six goals in six games in 2022, as their defense looks to remain aggressive with their strategy.
Latif Blessing is anticipating an exciting match as he prepares to face his former club. Blessing featured in 25 games for Kansas City, starting 16 during the 2017 MLS season.
“I feel happy to play against my former team, it motivates me a lot to play against them,” stated Blessing. “We must play hard, it’s always exciting to beat them.”
LAFC is tied for the league lead in goals scored with 14, as they are currently 2-1-1 against Western Conference opponents. On the other hand, Sporting Kansas City currently holds a 2-3-0 record in conference play, currently averaging 0.7 goals per game while allowing in an average of one goal per game. The last time the two teams met was on Sept. 3, 2021, as the Black and Gold defeated Sporting Kansas City 4-0.
LAFC Players Excited For League Cup Showcase at So-Fi Stadium
The Black & Gold will play Club América at So-Fi Stadium as a part of a double header on Wednesday, August 3, in the Leagues Cup Showcase. This competition is a preview of the return of Leagues Cup – the annual, month-long official tournament between MLS and LIGA MX, set to kick off in summer of 2023.
“It’s a great opportunity, I think it will be a great experience for us,” stated Jesus David Murillo. “We are going to have an opportunity to play at So-Fi stadium, which is a great venue, so for us it’s special. What makes it more special, is we are getting a rematch to what a happened in the Concacaf Champions League in 2020.”
The matchup between LAFC and Club América will mark the first meeting since the Black & Gold eliminated Club América in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League semifinals. The double header will also include a match between the LA Galaxy and Club Deportivo Guadalajara.
Club América is one of Mexico’s most successful teams in history. The match presents sports fans with a unique way to see these teams feature in just their second meeting ever at a venue that recently hosted the Super Bowl LVI and is under consideration to serve as a host venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
