Los Angeles FC is running and will get lots of speed on a visit from New York City FC on Saturday in a match that fits two of the last four MLS champions.
LAFC (1-0-0, 3 points) not only earned a 1-0 victory in its MLS opener last weekend against the Minnesota United, but the club advanced in the Concacaf Champions Cup by turning off Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Tuesday to complete a two-leg opening round.
Mark Delgado scored his first goal ever for LAFC on Tuesday, while Jeremy Ebobisse delivered in the 78th minute of the league opener to get the regular season to a strong start. Hugo Lloris only needed one combined two rescues to earn the consecutive sheets.
“The defensive part of the game for us is black and white, there is no gray area,” said LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo. “We have clear rules, and right now players keep disciplined, according to the rules and do not admit many chances.”
The news was not all positive for LAFC, as Sergi Palencia is investigated by Concacaf for an alleged derogatory comment late in the Tuesday game against Rapids Chidozie Awaziem, which is from Nigeria.
NYCFC (0-0-1, 1 point) opened its season last weekend with a disappointing 2-2 road draw against Inter Miami. Mitja Ilenic and Alonso Martinez each made one for NYCFC to help cover a couple of assists from Inter Miamis Lionel Messi, with the other who came in the 10th minute of the second half.
NYCFC got the point after Inter Miami was reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute, when Tomas Aviles received a straight red card for a foul on Martinez not long after scoring the opening goal. Ilenic scored on the set after Avile’s departure.
“Just a little too short. It summarizes everything,” said NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen. “But a away match against Miami is always a challenge, and I think my boys took on the challenge with a brave heart and they were very brave. … again it is always very boring to admit a late leverages.”
NYCFC has not lost three MLS matches against LAFC, which goes 1-0-2. The team has not met each other since 2021, when NYCFC got a 2-1 victory at Los Angeles.
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