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LAFC Vs Seattle Sounders: 3 things we learned – Raul Ruidiaz an animal

By Chris Smith

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Raul Ruidiaz #9 of Seattle Sounders celebrates his goal against Los Angeles FC, to take a 3-1 lead, during the second half during the Western Conference finals at Banc of California Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Raul Ruidiaz #9 of Seattle Sounders celebrates his goal against Los Angeles FC, to take a 3-1 lead, during the second half during the Western Conference finals at Banc of California Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 29: Adama Diomande #99 of Los Angeles FC following the MLS Western Conference Final between Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders at the Banc of California Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Seattle Sounders won the match 3-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 29: Adama Diomande #99 of Los Angeles FC following the MLS Western Conference Final between Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders at the Banc of California Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Seattle Sounders won the match 3-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

1. No Hollywood ending for LAFC

LAFC set the record for points, goal difference, goals scored and earliest team to secure a playoff spot in 2019, to name but a few achievements in a ridiculous season. Oh, and there was the small matter of Carlos Vela scoring 34 goals to beat Josef Martinez’s single-season record. Any way you look at it, they have set the benchmark for the greatest regular-season performance of all time.

But does any of that matter now, after their defeat to the Seattle Sounders? Does that landmark, first-ever El Trafico win over the LA Galaxy in the previous round mean as much now? Can you still consider this LAFC side to be the greatest in MLS history, a title which has been bestowed on them a number of times during 2019?

It seems ludicrous that a single defeat in the postseason has the potential to destroy a legacy so quickly but that is the nature of the playoff system – MLS Cup is the real prize, not the Supporters’ Shield, not a list of records or individual achievements.

Next. MLS: Power ranking the Conference finalists. dark

Bob Bradley might well learn his lessons from this humbling defeat, bring his side back in 2020 and sweep up the lot. However, after a real blockbuster season to reach this stage, LAFC have been left well and truly without the Hollywood ending so many thought they’d have.

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