Still looking for more consistency amidst a crowded schedule, Los Angeles FC will visit winless Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday.
Los Angeles (3-3-0, 9 points) has been a Jekyll-and-Hyde team through its six regular-season matches. LAFC has outscored opponents 4-0 in their three victories but have been outscored 9-4 in their three defeats. Last Saturday, LAFC allowed three goals in the first 40 minutes before narrowing the gap in an eventual 3-2 loss to San Diego FC.
Beyond the MLS schedule, Los Angeles FC is also competing in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. LAFC earned a 1-0 win over Inter Miami on Wednesday, in what coach Steve Cherundolo felt was a better representation of his team’s ability.
“There are LAFC performances where we are aggressive, engaged, and connected. I think that’s what was lacking in San Diego. … I think (Wednesday) you saw the aggressive LAFC on the front foot,” Cherundolo said.
Even with the second leg of the quarterfinal coming up in Miami this Wednesday, Los Angeles FC can’t afford to look past an increasingly desperate Houston squad. The Dynamo (0-4-2, 2 points) are one of five MLS clubs that have yet to win this season.
Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers saw Houston hold 58 percent of the possession, yet the Timbers held a whopping 9-1 edge in shots on goal. The Dynamo have only 10 shots on goal this season, tied for the fewest in the league.
Houston coach Ben Olsen said his team is continually “in a rush” to create offensive chances, when he feels the Dynamo need to be more clinical due to a lack of team speed.
“It was just undisciplined, and that’s getting old. … What we’re saying and not being able to implement it for stretches of these matches is unacceptable,” Olsen said.
Newly acquired midfielder Ondrej Lingr and defender Pablo Ortiz could potentially make their Dynamo debuts on Saturday.
Igor Jesus (red card suspension) is unavailable for Los Angeles. Olivier Giroud and Marlon each missed LAFC’s last three league games due to leg injuries, but the duo were available against Miami.
–Field Level Media
