GETTING USED TO THE NEW BOSS
LAFC started completed its second week of preseason officially welcoming back Cristian “Chicho” Arango, who arrived a few days late for the opening of training camp. After arriving in the summer of 2021, Arango led LAFC in scoring last season and was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year, scoring 14 goals in just 17 games. While he made an impact in a short time last season, it is his first full training camp with the team, and this week he was joined by Latif Blessing, who is one of just two players to participate in all five pre-season training sessions. Blessing was slightly delayed in returning to the country and got on the field with his teammates for the first time on Tuesday.
Blessing, Arango and the rest of the team continue to adjust and learn the rhythms of a new head coach, as Steve Cherundolo continues to make his mark on the Club through the first training sessions.
“Steve has been demanding,” LAFC forward Danny Musovski said. “He demands a lot of us in this preseason, and that is what you are supposed to do in the preseason – make sure you are fit and now that we have a new coach, learn the new tactics.”
Musovski cited Cherundolo and the coaching staff video sessions as making an impact for him early on.
“There are new tactics, and things are just a little bit different,” Musovski said. “With a new coach, you need to see the game in a little different way then you did before.”
Now entering his third MLS season, and coming off a year in which he set a career-high in games played and minutes, Musovski is working hard with Cherundolo to make sure he is in the right position to score goals. The forward scored a combined total of nine goals in 2021 with LAFC and the Las Vegas Lights in the USL.
“With Steve, that is what I’m learning,’ Musovski said. “As a ‘9’, I’m seeing some different positions that I need to be in, and the different times that he wants me to press.”
LAFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero also played under Cherundolo when he coached the Lights, and has noticed a difference with the head man in 2022.
“I played under him last year for some games,” Romero said. “But I think this year he has turned it up a bit. Training has been intense. That has been a testament to everyone coming out in good shape and ready to go.”
INJURY UPDATE
The Black & Gold continued to receive good news on the injury front so far in training camp. Francisco Ginella, who has been recovering from an MCL injury suffered at the end of last season is back in full training with the Club. Kim Moon-Hwan, who injured his ankle in the season finale vs. Colorado also has returned to full training, and Mahala Opoku continues to train and impress after missing the majority of 2021 with knee surgery.
READY FOR NEW ENGLAND
LAFC hosts the New England Revolution on Saturday at Banc of California Stadium for their first of four 2022 preseason matches. This will be the only one at home, and is the Club’s first opportunity to see where they stand with two weeks of training under a new head coach under their belt.
The Black & Gold are facing off against a formidable foe. After playing the Revs in two closed-door preseason matches in 2021, New England went on to claim the 2021 MLS Supporter’s Shield, setting a league record for most points in a season – and breaking LAFC’s 2019 record in the process.
It will be an excellent first test for the Club – and one that Romero expects will have a few bumps in the road.
“I think everybody has high energy and is happy and ready to be here,” Romero said. “We’re excited about the game, obviously there will be mistakes because it is our first game as a group – but we just hope to go out there and help each other.”
