Mateusz Bogusz didn’t mince his words.
“We are in a tough moment. I think, one of the most difficult in the season,” Bogusz said after training on Friday.
It speaks volumes of this LAFC team that its most challenging moment comes on the heels of a Concacaf Champions League final appearance, albeit a loss, and just a two-match losing streak in league play, but such are the standards of the defending MLS Cup champs and Supporters’ Shield holders.
“We all want a result right now, for ourselves and for the fans,” LAFC defender Aaron Long said. “We’ll do everything we can do to get there.”
Standing in the way of that result is Peter Vermes’ Sporting KC side. If LAFC and its fans need an example of how quickly things change in MLS, there’s probably no better example than LAFC’s opponent on Saturday. After starting the season without a win in its first 10 matches, SKC is 5-1-2 in its last eight matches. Anchored to the bottom of the Western Conference just a month ago, SKC now finds itself in a playoff position.
“It’s a team that’s in a good way right now and it’s a hostile environment,” Long said. “We know we have to go there and grind. Do whatever we have to do to get a result.”
Again, Bogusz kept his comments concise.
“The most important thing is us. How we play. How we move the ball.
“And we need to score goals.”
NOTES
- On Friday, U.S. Soccer announced Gregg Berhalter would return to his post as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team. Long, who went to the 2022 World Cup under Berhalter and was named to the USMNT 2023 Gold Cup roster, responded to the appointment. “I know the guys are happy and it’s been a great run so far. I’m just excited that there’s a coach announced again and we can get things rolling.”
- LAFC has a chance to become the quickest team in MLS history to 300 regular season points. The Black & Gold head into Saturday's match sitting on 299 regular season points. A win or tie in any of LAFC’s next five matches will secure the new record.
- We’re less than halfway through the season but LAFC has already done its fair share of travel. Through 25 matches across all competitions in 2023, LAFC has traveled a total of 33,004 miles across four countries going into this weekend’s game.
