The same day Houston raised the U.S. Open Cup, Tyler Miller was still upset.
The LAFC goalkeeper was being asked a question about the standards his team has set this season. Noting that being an expansion team was no excuse for not reaching their goals, Miller referenced the upcoming Open Cup final. LAFC fell just short of that final following a penalty shootout loss to the Dynamo. Miller insisted it should have been LAFC hosting the match and said the narrow defeat still left a bad taste in his mouth, especially considering his team dropped points in Houston a month earlier despite holding a 2-0 lead late in the match.
On Friday, LAFC welcome the Dynamo to Banc of California Stadium for the first time. The match features two sides headed in opposite directions: LAFC has clinched a playoff berth and is vying for the top spot in the Western Conference, Houston has been mathematically eliminated. But after Miller's words a few weeks back, you get the feeling he and his teammates aren't about to let the Dynamo spoil things for LAFC once again.
Here are the Toyota Keys to the Match for LAFC vs. Houston on Friday night:
Keep The Moment Rolling
Two weeks ago, LAFC fell completely flat on the road against the Chicago Fire. That day in Chicago, the Black & Gold lacked sharpness and focus. They were second to nearly every ball, weren't able to put the match on their terms, and had difficulty keeping possession. Against Colorado a week later, LAFC displayed the character they lacked against the Fire, putting in a resolute and energetic road performance while showing flashes of the style of play that got them into the playoffs.
Against the third consecutive side with nothing to play for, LAFC has to maintain the same level of focus. Keep the level as high, if not higher, than it was in Colorado from the opening whistle. The team has made no secret of their desire to go beyond simply clinching a playoff spot by taking hold of one of the two top spots, and a first-round bye, in the Western Conference. At home against Houston, it's time to be accountable and keep the level to a high standard.
When It's Not There, Don't Panic
Houston thrives on the counterattack. They rode it all the way to victory in the U.S. Open Cup. It's not likely they'll change that style now, especially on the back of a second road match in the same week.
Expect the Dynamo to sit deep and absorb LAFC's pressure. The Black & Gold are going to see a lot of the ball and they need to use it in the right ways. If lanes aren't there, make the next pass. Better to keep the ball and continue to move Houston than allow them to get out and run. LAFC love to play fast, but as they showed on the third goal in Colorado, they can be patient and rely on the movements in front of the ball to open up opportunities.
Move It, Move It
This ties into the patience in possession. While LAFC will want to be conscientious of the counterattack in how they attack a Houston team packed in their own end, they'll also need to be courageous in their movements.
The best way to beat a packed team is to never be where they expect. The Black & Gold will need to key off each other and always be on the move to unbalance Houston. Midfielders will have to find the angles to free attackers and the attackers need to be on the lookout for space to play in between the Houston lines. Finding players in stride and keeping the ball moving are tenents of Bob Bradley's system. These are ideas the team has been working on week in and week out. It's at this time in the season when these reps pay off.
