LAFC go top of the West with win over Sounders

Fifty-four seconds. That’s how long it took for Mateusz Bogusz to score the second-fastest goal in LAFC history on Wednesday night. 

Picking up the ball in his own half, Bogusz played a wall pass off Kwadwo Opoku in the center circle to open space for himself. As Seattle sat off, Bogusz continued his run at the heart of the Sounders' defense, pulling the trigger on his shot just before entering the penalty area. Despite giving the illusion of sailing wide, the shot nestled into the side netting for his first open-play goal in Black and Gold, giving LAFC an early 1-0 lead.

Crossing became the story of the first half from then on, as Seattle attacked through Léo Chú down the left wing while LAFC threatened from corner kicks. The end-to-end fashion of the first half made for a very watchable game. The second half slowed despite two late chances for Cifuentes and Opoku, the former of which was ruled out by VAR. Nonetheless, LAFC held on for their second straight win, catapulting themselves to the top of the MLS Western Conference in the process. 

Midfield Mati

After finding his first assist of the MLS season at the weekend, Bogusz is finding form for LAFC by following it up with his first open-play goal for the club. The fastest goal of his career proved to be the game-winner, but it was his overall performance on Wednesday that was so impressive.

Bogusz has shown the versatility to play three positions for LAFC — winger, box-to-box midfielder, or attacking midfielder — getting minutes in all three positions this season. Most of his minutes have been on the wing but recently he has begun to shift inside.

“It’s the player we scouted,” Cherundolo recalled. “We scouted a player who fits three profiles, three positions on our team, and that’s extremely valuable for us ... I think he’s gelling, understanding the league better, the opponents, and finding those spaces where he can be a game-changer or a difference-maker.”

Comfortability is crucial, not only with your teammates and the league as Cherundolo points out, but with the system as well. This is where his position matters. On the wing, Bogusz has found it more difficult to affect the game than in the middle of the park. Playing as a box-to-box midfielder (#8) is certainly more comfortable than the wing. However, recently we have seen Bogusz shine most as an attacking midfielder (#10).

"I can play a lot of positions but of course, my favorite is ten or eight," Bogusz shared post-match. "I like it because I have more time on the ball. I like to be a link player."

Following his shift from winger to No. 10 at halftime in Kansas City, Bogusz bagged an assist within three minutes. Lining up in that same position against Seattle, he scored within a minute. The impact is obvious.

What makes this possible for LAFC is a double pivot in midfield. Instead of playing Ilie Sánchez as a lone defensive midfielder, LAFC plays two defensive midfielders (in this case, adding Crisostomo) to maintain defensive solidity while allowing Bogusz freedom to roam. It is then up to Bogusz to turn that freedom into chance creation — something he has done exceptionally well over his last 135 minutes of soccer.

Homegrown depth: good or bad?

Four hours before kickoff, LAFC signed defender Diego Rosales to a homegrown contract through the end of the season with club options through 2026. This was, of course, a major milestone for the 17-year-old Southgate native as rather than signing a short-term agreement — as Christopher Jaime did to be included in the matchday squad vs. Seattle — Rosales has signed an official first-team contract, indicating that he will be sticking around the first team for the remainder of the 2023 season.

As a result of his addition, for the first time in club history, LAFC had five homegrown players in an MLS squad. While only Erik Dueñas and Nathan Ordaz got minutes for the homegrown contingent, continually hitting new milestones with academy products is a fantastic sign for the future. LAFC planned its academy growth strategically, beginning with a single U12 team in 2016, now finally seeing the fruits of that labor seven years later.

That is the glass-half-full perspective. The glass-half-empty perspective is the lack of quality depth due to the difficulty of making the jump to MLS. As opposed to having USL affiliates, MLS teams now each have an MLS Next Pro team serving as a second team with the addition of the league this season. Though a step forward in many ways, concerns persist.

“The level of MLS Next Pro is not at USL level,” Cherundolo bluntly stated. “It’s a step below that, I think as it was meant to be, which makes the jump for those players even greater to make an impact on first-team play in the MLS." -

This means that many LAFC2 players who played under Cherundolo at Las Vegas Lights in 2022 are not receiving the same level of opponent and therefore development as they were in USL. As Cherundolo described, it becomes an attempt to jump two levels rather than one as LAFC2 players transition to the first team. Perhaps that is why players like Rosales are being included in first-team activities as much as possible.

“I think that’s something in the next couple years we’ll have to figure out what that solution looks like,” Cherundolo predicted. “I’m not sure right at the moment.”

Best in the West

For the first time in 2023, the reigning MLS Cup champions sit alone at the top of the MLS Western Conference. Having their season opener postponed has caused LAFC to play catch-up in the table this entire year. LAFC grabbed a hold of FC Dallas to go joint-top after matchday 14, then reeled in St. Louis City SC on matchday 19, before finally being able to enjoy the fresh air at the top after matchday 20, three points clear of the Missourians.

What makes their standing particularly impressive is the club’s simultaneous run to the Concacaf Champions League final. The Black and Gold have played 27 matches across all competitions in 2023, more than any other MLS team, yet remain the best team in the West. Further, they’ve done so with a game in hand on the competition.

“Hats off to the players, they’ve done fantastic.” Cherundolo praised. “Top of the West, playing in a Champions League final, [with] a game in hand I believe. It’s pretty good. We’re very happy with those results.”

Unsurprisingly proud of the team's work thus far, Cherundolo is constantly looking to improve, and when in a favorable mood, usually good for a postgame joke.

“Can we play better football?” Cherundolo posed a question to himself. “Absolutely, and we will. Just maybe get a full roster at some point back. That would be nice and helpful.”