Four months after he lifted his first MLS Cup right here, LAFC returned to the field this Saturday to continue the fun and celebration.. The reigning MLS champions kicked off their debut in 2023 with an emotional ceremony in front of their fans, then ended the night with a solid, albeit hasty win.
The LAFC, with a solid 3-0 lead, beat the Portland Timbers 3-2 at BMO Stadium – the new name for the Exposition Park stadium – in their first game of the 2023 season. The Black and Gold team did not feature in Week 1. due to bad weather in Southern California, which forced the postponement of the match against LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.
Ahead of their debut game, LAFC celebrated the 2022 MLS Championship., when the team miraculously went up in overtime with a Gareth Bale goal to later crown themselves with a penalty kick against Philadelphia. Welshman Bale, who retired a few weeks ago, reappeared at the stadium to help carry the MLS Cup.
In a few minutes, all members of the 2022 squad got their championship rings, which have a spectacular design with many details hinting at last November’s epic conquests dominated by black diamonds.
Among the personalities present at the protocol ceremony was Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was in charge of flying the falcon, a tradition in every team game at their stadium.
The day was a bit chilly after a series of thunderstorms in Southern California, but the passionate LAFC fans didn’t stop screaming, jumping and dancing like they should. The fervor included a giant net in the stands at bar 3252 featuring Vel lifting the MLS cup..
The party continued with the unveiling of the MLS Champion banner, which now hangs at the top of the stands. east of the stadium on Calle Figueroa.
LAFC defeated 3:0, but then it became more difficult
LAFC started with McCarthy in goal; Hollingshead, Murillo, Chiellini and Palacios on defense; Sanchez, Acosta and Cifuentes in midfield; Vela, Bowanga and Opoku ahead. The composition is almost the same as in the last final, but with the clear absence of the Colombian Cristian Arango.who is currently playing Pachuca.
LAFC opened the scoring with an unprecedented scorer. Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini found a rebound in the penalty area and without thinking twice put the ball into the net in the 24th minute, scoring his first goal in MLS.
Vela made it 2-0 in the 34th minute from the penalty spot. His charge from the post to beat goalkeeper David Bingham was the 80th goal. for the Mexican star wearing an LAFC jersey in all competitions.
The penalty was marked by a foul by Santiago Moreno on Kvadvo Opoka.
And the LAFC captain, who was about to score a great free-kick early in the second half when the ball hit the post, was part of a combination that led to a 3-0 score in the 52nd minute against an overcrowded visiting defense. Opoku scored with an assist by the Mexican.
Vela came on as a 65th-minute substitute just after Portland’s 3-1 win over Evander.the Brazilian who became the star of the team in this campaign.
The LAFC was losing strength and Portland took the opportunity to take control of the game. In the 84th minute, Paraguayan Christian Paredes made it 3-2 in a game in which local goalkeeper John McCarthy had a poor start.
The last minutes were dramatic, but LAFC survived in their own box and scored their first three points in 2023.
Read more:
– LAFC’s Christian Arango surprises as LA Sportsman of the Year over Urias and Otani.
– Carlos Vela begins to dream of ending his career: “I don’t have many seasons left.”
– Inter Miami intends to hire Messi according to their own coach
Source: La Opinion
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