LAFC ended the 2022 preseason on a high Saturday afternoon, thumping the New York Red Bulls 6-1 in the final preseason match in the closing game of the Coachella Valley Invitational at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA.
The Black & Gold head into their 2022 MLS season opener vs. the Colorado Rapids on Feb. 26 at Banc of California Stadium at 12:30 p.m. PT on a roll after the convincing win that capped a successful five-day training session in Palm Springs.
LAFC defender Franco Escobar was whistled for a foul in the penalty area in the 9th minute on Omir Fernandez, and Patryk Klimala converted the ensuing penalty kick to take it an early 1-0 lead.
LAFC would respond 20 minutes later when Brian Rodriguez leveled the score after burying a shot in the far post past Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel in the 28th minute. LAFC would then take the lead 2-1 just three minutes later after Mahala Opoku delivered a cross into the penalty area that caused problems for the Red Bull defense and resulted in an own goal.
Just three minutes later, Rodriguez scored another, firing another shot to the far post to give the Black & Gold a 3-1 lead at halftime.
Just one minute into the second half, a Rodriguez pass found Carlos Vela in front of the goal, and Vela was able to extend the lead to 4-1 with a tap in shot into the net. LAFC continued to dominate the match and create scoring opportunities, as Vela sent a corner kick into the box and connected with Mamadou Fall. Fall’s header past Coronel gave LAFC a 5-1 lead 58th minute.
The Black & Gold were not done scoring, however, as two minutes later Diego Palacios delivered a cross into the goal box that found an open Mahala Opoku, who would finish to extend the lead to 6-1.
LAFC started the match with an attacking trio of Opoku, Vela and Rodriguez, with Kellyn Acosta, Ilie Sanchez and Jose Cifuentes in the midfield. Newcomer Maxime Crépeau was in goal, and manned a defense that featured Franco Escobar, Jesus Murillo, Mamadou Fall and Diego Palacios.
In the second half, Danny Musovski, Francisco Ginella, Daniel Crisostomo, Sebastien Ibeagha and Kim Moon-Hwan all came on as substitutes.
LAFC kicks off the 2022 season as they host the Colorado Rapids in the first match of the season on Saturday, February 26 at Banc of California Stadium. The match is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on Univision and TUDN
