Six goals, three red cards and a broken streak: The clash between Los Angeles FC and Columbus Crew on matchday 24 of the MLS was a tough one.
LAFC’s chest could not have been much broader ahead of the game against Columbus Crew: the team led by long-serving Hannover 96 defender Steven Cherundolo had not lost in 13 consecutive games and were enthroned at the top of the MLS Western Conference – while their opponents from Ohio were in third place in the East behind FC Cincinnati and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
However, the visitors were unimpressed and forced LA keeper and world champion Hugo Lloris into a strong save early on with Cucho’s sharp header (5′). Although the favored home side also had their chances (Bouanga, 5th; Kamara, 14th), Columbus shocked Los Angeles in the 38th minute of an otherwise quiet first half: Ramirez was given far too much space in the five-meter area and Lloris was completely powerless from such close range.
Cucho beats Lloris fantastically
But it was Cucho who silenced the home fans ten minutes into the second half, when the attacker scored a dream goal. Right-footed from the right corner of the penalty area, the Colombian curled the ball over Lloris and into the left-hand corner (56′). Farsi’s volley against the woodwork after an unsuccessful clearance triggered the next attack from the visitors, with Rossi finishing precisely against his former club to make it 3-0 (60′).
To make matters worse for the Californians, Palencia was shown a second yellow card after Buoanga’s goal was ruled out for offside (79′) and LA were down to ten men from the 83rd minute onwards. Ramirez headed the ensuing free-kick into the far corner (84′), meaning the hosts had to limit the damage – and Ordaz did just that. Just five minutes after coming on as a substitute, he took advantage of some sloppy defending from Crew keeper Schulte and slotted home to make it 1:4 (85′).
Two straight red cards – LAFC: unbeaten streak over
In the 89th minute, Matan made the final score 5:1, after a mistake in the LAFC midfield, which was unfocused on the day, the joker easily slotted home. But the game was not over yet: Hinestroza playfully took time off the clock, which did not please Segura at all and motivated him to commit a rustic foul. A scuffle ensued, in which Murillo defended his team-mates violently and was narrowly missed by Hinestroza with a punch – referee Lukasz Szpala showed both players a straight red (90.+7). The unsightly end to a spectacular match
The Californians’ magnificent unbeaten streak is over, but Lloris and Co. remain level on points with Real Salt Lake and with a game in hand at the top of the Western Conference table.
