LAFC snapped a winless streak at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night, beating New York Red Bulls 2-0 with a performance that was more controlled than dominant. Jude Terry gave Marc Dos Santos’s Los Angeles FC the lead in the 21st minute, and Sieb, on as a second-half substitute, sealed it in stoppage time against Michael Bradley’s New York Red Bulls. According to CBS News, it was the result LAFC needed to end their slide, and it lifts them to 40 points, third in the Western Conference.
Key Moments
- 18′, Nealis picked up a yellow card for a foul, a sign of early tension as Red Bulls tried to contain LAFC’s press.
- 21′, Jude Terry opened the scoring for LAFC, finishing to put the hosts ahead. No assist was recorded.
- 33′, New York were forced into an early change, bringing on Kone for Mehmeti, disrupting their midfield structure before half-time.
- 56′, Red Bulls coach Michael Bradley threw on three substitutes at once, replacing Choupo-Moting, Cowell and Sofo as New York searched for a way back into the game.
- 61′, LAFC made their own changes, with Sieb coming on for Shaffelburg and Igor Jesus replacing Jude Terry.
- 90′, Sieb put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, finishing from a pass by Hollingshead to make it 2-0.
Tactical Breakdown
LAFC did their damage without the ball. Red Bulls controlled possession, finishing with 57% to LAFC’s 43% and completing 581 accurate passes to their opponents’ 412. But the home side were far more dangerous in front of goal, putting 8 shots on target compared to just 1 for New York. Horvath was consistently tested, making 6 saves to keep Red Bulls from a more damaging scoreline. LAFC generated 15 total attempts, 11 of them from inside the box, and could have won by a wider margin.
Bradley’s triple substitution at the 56th minute was a reasonable gamble, but it did not change the game’s direction. Bringing on Jimenez, Ruvalcaba and Hall injected fresh legs, yet LAFC’s defensive shape held firm. Long and Tafari were composed at the back for 90 minutes, and Hollingshead, who delivered the assist for the second goal, was effective up and down the right flank. Dos Santos’s side sat deep when required and retained their shape even as New York pushed men forward in the final quarter.
For Red Bulls, the defeat continues a difficult run. Their attack, despite the personnel adjustments, mustered just 8 shots and 1 on target all game. Forsberg was quiet in midfield, finishing with one of the lower ratings among New York starters. Ranked 12th in the Eastern Conference with 27 points and a form line of LDLDL across their last five outings, New York came into this match short on momentum.
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Verdict
The win moves LAFC to 40 points, level with FC Dallas in fourth but with a game played more, and six points clear of a group of teams jostling for playoff positioning in the West. Sitting third behind Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo, Dos Santos’s side have work to do to secure a top spot, but this clean sheet and a return to winning ways is the kind of result that steadies confidence heading into the final weeks of the regular season.