Los Angeles FC’s tough season continues: ‘Everyone is sad right now’

Los Angeles FC head coach Bob Bradley yells from the bench during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles FC head coach Bob Bradley yells from the bench during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles FC’s frustrating season

It has been a disappointing season for Los Angeles FC, this as the star-studded club has struggled to get consistent results. Saturday night’s 2-1 loss at the San Jose Earthquakes was a difficult result in an up-and-down season for LAFC.

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It was an uneven match for Los Angeles FC, even as they held a slight edge in possession, shots and shots on goal in the road loss.

“There’s no doubt that we are frustrated as a group. Too many results where we do not find a way to not come out on top,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said after the match.

“They play off of things; for example, they’ll [Earthquakes] move the left back up and just aim balls and jump and flick balls. They [Earthquakes] are good at the way they play. You have to compete with them in terms of moments when the game is on their terms and then when we get the chance to play to go in transition to make them pay for certain moments. On our terms, we have to be better. Early in the game that is where they had the advantages and as we pushed back into the game I saw improvement but we did not do enough to get to the second goal.”

Here sits Los Angeles FC, on 23 points with a 6-7-5 record, good enough for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

A rough season for Los Angeles FC

At every turn this season, it seems like something has derailed Los Angeles FC’s season so far. Injuries have hit the club, such as Carlos Vela’s absence at the beginning of the season. And when it seemed like the club was finally fit, international call-ups hit the Starting XI pretty hard.

Now, it just seems like Los Angeles FC is trying to limp into the playoffs and then catch fire. A frustrating and puzzling year for the club for certain. There is no denying that there is talent on this team or that Bradley is one of the best coaches in MLS. But something about the club’s balance is certainly off.

Given the first choice Starting XI, this is a team that can and should be atop the league table, not struggling for results.

“Everyone is sad right now. It’s been tough for the moment. We need to tell ourselves that it is not over. We have more games to go,” midfielder Latif Blessing said after the match.

“We need to set up ourselves to play good and win game by game. That is the mentality we need to have and keep going.”