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LAFC Vs Philadelphia Union: 3 things to watch for – How do you stop Carlos Vela?

By Daniel Garza

MLS, LAFC, Carlos Vela (Photo by Michael Janosz/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
MLS, LAFC, Carlos Vela (Photo by Michael Janosz/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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LAFC, Carlos Vela
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 01: Carlos Vela #10 of LAFC scores a goal and celebrates during a game between Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on March 01, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Janosz/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

On Sunday night, the Philadelphia Union will make the long trip to Los Angeles to face Supporters’ Shield holders, LAFC. Here are three things to watch for.

An early-season trip to Los Angeles awaits the Philadelphia Union. The Eastern Conference club are coming off of a 2-0 defeat to FC Dallas in the opening weekend and will be looking to avenge a torrid start to their 2020 campaign.

On the other side is a Los Angeles FC side who overcame Inter Miami in their first match of the 2020 season thanks to a brilliant Carlos Vela chip, already squeezed past Club Leon in the CONCACAF Champions League, and are now well on their way to replicating their historic 2019.

Related Story. Toronto FC Vs New York City FC: 3 things we learned. light

Here are three things to watch for ahead of Sunday night’s critical Week 2 contest.

Uruguay’s forward Brian Rodriguez celebrates scoring during the friendly football match between Hungary and Uruguay at the Puskas Arena football stadium in Budapest on November 15, 2019. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Uruguay’s forward Brian Rodriguez celebrates scoring during the friendly football match between Hungary and Uruguay at the Puskas Arena football stadium in Budapest on November 15, 2019. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Will Brian Rodriguez score his first MLS goal?

He has only made eight MLS appearances for LAFC but many might have thought that Brian Rodriguez would have already scored his first MLS goal for the club. Chances have come his way but none have found the back of the net, and Rodriguez’s increasing lack of production is concerning, especially given the attacking quality of the team he is a part of.

A goal against the Union would come at an ideal time when LAFC needs him to come up big in both MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League. Carlos Vela, naturally, has taken on the bulk of the goalscoring, but for LAFC to be truly great in 2020, they must find another goalscorer from somewhere.

Rodriguez’s first full season in MLS is going to tell a lot about the potential he has for the near future. Goals have already come for Uruguay’s senior team so the ability is there. But for now, the goals have evaded him. Will Sunday’s match be the first of many for Rodriguez in his MLS career?

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