LAFC👎ACFC👍
I have to say it. (I am a season ticket holder for both ACFC and LAFC since day one for both teams.)
Right now I would rather be watching ACFC playing than LAFC. This Angel City team Straus has assembled and coached into their best selves is energetic, playing for the badge and each other. They are having fun, showing tenacity and fearlessness; inspiring the fans and getting results…let’s see how this season goes!!!
LAFC, sadly is a shell of their former selves. Talent is wasted by culture, tactics, performance and inconsistency. It is crushingly boring to attend the LAFC matches right now. There is no spirit or pride, and meager results lately.
“Someone left the cake out in the rain”.
I don’t know who to blame (and this is the problem), did the front office not think about how important it was to create a playing style that would take advantage of the considerable assets that LAFC has? One that evolves with the combination of players and individual growth and development? Did they not know that the goal of bringing on a new coach is to improve the team?
MDS seems like an affable, friendly, and talented coach. His record is not very good with previous clubs. He has never coached a team with the level of players that LAFC has on their roster. It would seem he is unable to pick a first team, deliver consistent messaging and tactics, respond to game conditions by repositioning and utilizing talent on the pitch nor leverage the talent on the bench. He looks lost, overwhelmed, confused, and passive. From game to game we never know what he is going to come up with as a starting lineup, tactics, making adjustments, and substitutions. What is going on?
The players look forlorn, out of shape, tired and without purpose. The season started ferociously, often 2 games a week, and only recently offered a respite for tired legs and minds. Where is the personal responsibility? Who is responsible for fitness training? Where are the partnerships, the combinations, the “working together” thing that happens with a team in sync and properly motivated. Who will step up and take control of this team on the pitch? Like Cherundolo before him, MDS seems unphased by poor performances, he is dispassionate and quiet when responding to great play and camaraderie. How can the team know when they are doing the right thing if they are not supported by each other, the coach, and the club?
Specific individual players need to be told what to do, counseled when making mistakes and/or brilliant plays, if they are failing to follow coaching then bench the offenders, and drop the consistent under-performers.
Frankly I don’t know what they can do to salvage the season. Find a top midfielder? Drop players? Replace the coach? counseling? Psychotherapy? Get a set play coach? Teach passing to the whole squad?
Something’s got to to change @LAFC, otherwise my recommendation stands:
Save your money and raise your Fútbol experience with Angel City!