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LAFC Vs Sporting KC: 3 things we learned – Late heroics in City of Angels

By Daniel Garza

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: Los Angeles FC forward Adama Diomande (99) celebrates his goal with Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi (9) and Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) during the game versus the Houston Dynamo and the Los Angeles FC on October 12, 2018, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: Los Angeles FC forward Adama Diomande (99) celebrates his goal with Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi (9) and Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) during the game versus the Houston Dynamo and the Los Angeles FC on October 12, 2018, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 12: Los Angeles FC forward Adama Diomande (99) celebrates his goal with Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi (9) and Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) during the game versus the Houston Dynamo and the Los Angeles FC on October 12, 2018, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The biggest match of the weekend in MLS did not disappoint as a late winner saw LAFC take all three points against Sporting KC. Here are three things we learned.

There were late heroics in the Western Conference clash between Los Angeles FC and Sporting Kansas City. Adama Diomande scored in second-half stoppage time to lift hosts LAFC to a 2-1 victory.

As expected, the match featured constant attacking from both sides and the entertainment level was high. Despite leading the match in the early stages, Sporting KC saw their hopes of starting off with a road win dashed. A late red card gave LAFC a man advantage and they took full advantage of it with the stoppage-time winner.

Here are three things we learned.

3. Diomande sets himself apart with game-winning goal

It was an up and down season for Adama Diomande in 2018. He started off brilliantly after his arrival in May but soon found himself in a lengthy goal drought. As a result, Christian Ramirez, who was traded for from Minnesota United, began to get regular playing time. He succeeded with his opportunities, ending the season with two goals from just 261 minutes of action.

It was Ramirez who started on Sunday, perhaps suggesting that he is ahead of Diomande in Bob Bradley’s thinking. But by the end of the match, it was Diomande, not Ramirez, who provided the difference.

This striker battle will be a close one to follow as it should have a big impact on how LAFC do this year. Diomande set himself apart with his goal on Sunday and we’ll see who gets the nod from Bradley in the starting XI next week against the Portland Timbers.

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