Los Angeles FC puts in another ‘meh’ performance in Houston Dynamo draw
A season of struggles continues for Los Angeles FC, a 1-1 home draw against the Houston Dynamo another underwhelming home result for a team just a year removed from the Supporters Shield.
With the tie, Los Angeles FC has just two wins from five home games to start the year. They are now 2-3-2 (nine points) and currently out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
A Jose Cifuentes goal in the 50th minute off a Carlos Vela cornerkick gave LA FC the lead. Eight minutes later Maxi Urruti equalized for the visitors, his fifth goal of the season coming off some lackadaisical defending down the LA FC left flank that allowed Fafa Piccault to drive down the flank into the final third.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
“So I think from the game they had three shots, two on goal, and Pablo [Sisniega] makes one good save, but we still, when you’re playing in a tight hard game and you take the lead at home in front of an amazing crowd, that ability to handle one or two plays until we can get the next goal,” Los Angeles FC head coach Bob Bradley said after the game.
“Those are the little details right now that we continue to hurt ourselves with. But I still felt some positives. Thought it was probably Cifu’s best game. So for me that’s a step forward.”
A draw against the Dynamo isn’t poor, especially since the visitors are a vastly improved side this year that should challenge for the playoffs. But this Los Angeles FC team is built to compete now and has marquee players up and down the roster, especially in the attack.
Los Angeles FC was thought of as an MLS Cup contender coming into this season. Instead, they’ve looked largely average through the season’s start.
Vela, despite having an assist on Saturday night, has yet to score this season through five games and more is certainly expected of a player who was league MVP in 2019. Diego Rossi, who had a brace two games ago, hasn’t found the scoresheet over the past 180 minutes. Not a scoring drought certainly, but Rossi has been uneven this year and floats out of games in terms of his impact on games.
Neither player’s form is overly concerning and certainly not problematic. But Los Angeles FC is largely dependent on its star power to get rolling. And when Vela, the league’s top scorer in 2019, isn’t scoring there is certainly cause for concern.
On Saturday night, it needed more from not just stars like Vela and Rossi but a better overall effort, including the aforementioned loose defending in the 58th minute. The talent is there and Bradley, undoubtedly is one of the best head coaches in North America.
But if this team doesn’t get more from its difference makers soon, it might be an uphill climb to the playoffs.
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer