Oh Boy... CCL Is Back
The MLS world was buzzing with the excite that MLS teams were back and playing in meaningful games for the CONCACAF Champions League. CCL started with a crazy matchup between Liga MX’s Cruz Azul and Jamaica’s Portmore United. Portmore actually went up in this game for almost 20 minutes with a goal coming from Rondee Smith in the 74th minute. Cruz Azul did set things right however coming up with two goals in stoppage time to win and head back home with most likely a surefire advancement.
But let’s talk about the MLS sides here. Like I said, MLS WAS BACK! MLS fans were excited! We had our best side LAFC going up against the current Liga MX leaders in Club Leon! Sure…. LAFC just lost their Best XI defender in Walker Zimmerman, but it’ll be fine! Well, LAFC looked exactly what we’ve seen every CCL, slow and sloppy. Even with the talent on this starting lineup preseason form is preseason form.
I hate calling specific players out but honestly when talking about being flatfooted and not ready to play in a full paced 90 minutes vs a Liga MX team, we saw those types of performances from a NUMBER of LAFC players. From inside their own half LAFC continuously had sloppy passes, couldn’t control possession, and failed in their attempt to dribble around everyone. These plays saw a quick counter, Tristan Blackmon beat, and LAFC heading into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Things continued to be sloppy and slow for LAFC int he second half. After Eddie Segura made a goal saving 1v1 move, the ball ended up on the feet of Mohamed El-Munir who lost possession, and it was Liga MX leading goal scorer Angel Mena and two other teammates (3v1) with Kenneth Vermeer. Mena was calm, cool, and collected and doubled Leon’s lead.
LAFC were mentally defeated. MLS MVP Carlos Vela’s body language was awful, but he was not the only one. Diego Rossi, who had a pretty impressive game, was frustrated with his lack of attacking help. Latif Blessing could not make a right pass to help his team, Fransisco Ginella gave LAFC their best scoring chance and had a nice debut but was sadly frustrated himself.
I think a sheer example of lack of depth was clear for LAFC in this one as well. With no Eduard Atuesta in the starting XI, it was up to a weakened midfield to do it thing and the normal starters were not their class as well. Mark Anthony Kaye was not himself. Bob Bradley had to bring on Bryce Duke, Adrien Perez, and Mohamed El-Munir for chances at winning… and sadly even with some decent performance, they didn’t make an impact.
LAFC now have to head back to Los Angeles where they have to score at least two and hold Leon to 0. It will be tough and it seems like an eventual loss already. Oh… aren’t we so lucky… CCL is back.
