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

ByDaniel 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 – MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC’s head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC’s MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC’s head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC’s MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)

1. Crucial win for LAFC

To defeat the defending Western Conference champions in their first match of the season was a big statement for LAFC. They lost twice to Sporting KC in 2018 including a 2-1 defeat in the final regular season match of the season, so more than just the three points, making this kind of proclamation early on is significant.

That said, the three points on Sunday will also pay dividends as the campaign continues. When the final matchday comes around, LAFC may look back at this match as one of it’s most crucial wins of the year.

KC and LAFC will be two of the elite of Western teams, both competing for the Western title and the number one seed in the playoffs. Given the strength of these two teams at home, even a win at this early stage in the year could have major ramifications down the line.

For Bob Bradley and his players, this was the perfect start to the season, even if it did require a last-gasp miracle.

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