LAFC: How the attack is vital for playoff run
By Miguel Agyei
LAFC are the Supporters’ Shield winners. But the playoffs still loom. If they are to have success in the postseason, the prolific attack must shine.
In a do or die situation where Los Angeles FC had to win against the Houston Dynamo to clinch the MLS Supporters’ Shield, they showed up. Led by their star and captain Carlos Vela, the Black and Gold clinched their first major trophy in front of their very own home fans, a special event for the team since being established in 2014.
And now, with their regular season demands complete and the Supporters’ Shield won, LAFC can begin to turn their gaze towards the looming playoffs.
Once the postseason hits, LAFC’s attack will be vital to their success. Their season has been built on a prolific attack that has scored 81 goals in 32 games. Playing at the Banc of California Stadium throughout, Bob Bradley’s side will likely command games, dominate possession, and have the attacking onus on them.
So how can LAFC’s attacking players and their attacking play more generally dominate in the playoffs? Well, let’s have a look.
Carlos Vela has been LAFC’s main man time and time again this season. He is the best player in MLS and will win the MVP award. He is nine for 11 on penalties, scoring his 30th goal against Houston. He is one shy from the MLS all-time record of 31 goals set by Josef Martinez last season. He can score all over the place, from freekicks, penalties, one-on-ones and rrom distance.
More than just his goalscoring exploits, though, what separates Vela from the rest of MLS’ stars is his creativity. He has 15 assists on the year, the third-highest in the league, provides service to his teammates from corner-kicks and wide areas, and his partnership with Diego Rossi has been sensational.
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Rossi is a terrific foil to Vela. He exploits the added space that the attention Vela demands excellently, his ability to beat defenders in one-on-one crucial to LAFC’s attacking structure, and his 16 goals are fourth-best in MLS, a clear illustration of the alternative threat he provides to Vela.
A little deeper in LAFC’s set-up, Eduard Atuesta and Latif Blessing are also important parts of the team’s attacking play. Atuesta had a superb game against Houston, making great attacking runs from the left side of the pitch causing problems for defenders with his pace and skill when cutting into the box. He is also deadly from set-pieces — he sealed LAFC’s win against Houston scoring from a freekick behind the box in the 82nd minute.
Blessing, meanwhile, provides blistering pace and dribbling ability, forcing defenders to either tackle him or foul him. Either way, that commits defenders to the ball, creating space for runners off the ball, with LAFC routinely slipping attackers in behind opposing defenses because of the need to close down the ball when it is in Blessing’s possession.
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With all these components, LAFC have been dominant throughout the season. And they should continue to be when the playoffs roll around. And for the rest of MLS, that is a frightening prospect.