Since the Black and Gold became a club, they are 7-0-0 on MLS opening games. LAFC kicked off its 2024 regular season on Feb. 24 against Seattle Sounders.
The last meeting between LAFC and Sounders was in the semi-finals of the Western Conference playoffs.
The results of that matchup ended when Denis Bouanga scored a long goal in the 30th minute and LAFC was able to reach their second straight Western Conference final and their third in five years.
The contest ended a 19-game unbeaten streak for the Sounders in a playoff home game. LAFC has a winning record all-time against the Sounders.
In the first game of the regular season, Hugo Lloris made his MLS debut for LAFC with Omar Campos Eduard Atuesta, Tomas Angel, and David Martinez against the Sounders.
The game between LAFC and the Sounders turned out to be the team’s first without Carlos Vela.
As of today, Vela is still a free agent and LAFC is trying to find a way to sign Vela because of MLS labyrinthine salary rules.
LAFC also went up against Seattle without the best defender Giorgio Chiellini. Chellini was also honored for his retirement before the match. Lloris came up big for LAFC in his debut. Lloris made seven saves and came away victorious in his LAFC debut.
In the 73rd minute, the Sounders were awarded a penalty after Aaron Long and Morris made contact.
Sounders player Pedro de la Vega scored the penalty on his debut with Sounders after a long video review.
“Omar is technically clean if not a perfect offensive,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “I think he gives us more than we been used to in the final third and has some pace as well. His ability to jump and defend is also there and a really exciting player 21 years old. I think had a fantastic debut.”
Eddie Segura got subbed in the 90th minute, his first MLS game since the 2022 MLS Cup Finals after suffering an injury that made him miss the 2023 MLS season.
LAFC won 2-1 against the Sounders. That will be their 10th win against the Sounders.
Timothy Tillman scored his 5th goal with LAFC in the 45th minute. Ten minutes later Mateusz Bogusz makes a goal with a 2-0 lead.
After the LAFC win, they have seven wins on their MLS debut. They are also the first club in MLS history to win seven straight openers since the Black and Gold joined the League back in 2018.
No MLS team could have done better than the Black and Gold.
Edurad Atuesta said, “I like playing different positions because if I have the ball, I have the opportunity to have lots of time in the game. I know I can play in another position, maybe two positions. It’s another thing I can bring to the team”
After scoring in the 45th minute Timothy Tillman was the first to score a goal in the 2024 season. Tillman joins Diego Rossi (2018, 2019), Carlos Vela (2020, 2022), Corey Baird (2021), Giorgio Chiellini (2023).
It also marked the MLS debuts of Lloris and Omar Campos. Only eight of the 14 players featured in Saturday’s home opener against the Sounders who also played in the 2023 MLS Cup Finals.
The eight players are Denis Bouanga, Cristian Olivera, Ilie Sanchez, Timothy Tillman, Jesus Murillo, Ryan Hollingshead, Mateusz Bogusz, and Sergi Palencia.
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