New York City FC caps off a three-game week with a Saturday night match against LAFC at Citi Field. New York Soccer Journal spoke with Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade to learn more about LAFC, who is chasing a top-four spot in the Western Conference. Here is your NYCFC vs LAFC preview.
• League Form: W-D-L-D-L
• Record: 12W, 9D, 9L | 45 points, 6th place
• Scoring Leader: Denis Bouanga, 17 goals
• Assist Leader: Son Heung-Min, 7 assists
1. LAFC is in a weird limbo period
New York Soccer Journal: LAFC has struggled post-Leagues Cup, totaling just two wins in its last 11 games and recently hired Xavi Tamarit as interim head coach. The Black and Gold are nine points ahead of a playoff spot, but a top-four finish in the Western Conference is slipping away. What’s going on with LAFC?
Trebor Tracy: "What's going on with LAFC?" has been the million-dollar question. The biggest thing right now, and the story of the season, has been the inconsistency with the attack's production. After hitting the ground running in the second half of last season, Son has found it much more difficult to find the back of the net this year. Unfortunately, that has come along with Denis Bouanga also having a bit of a down year, though he has turned it up in recent weeks. Overall, it's been the lack of bite in attack that has really proven the team's undoing.
2. LAFC isn't used to trailing
NYSJ: LAFC have faced 12 deficits this season—the third-fewest in the league—but have picked up just three points from losing positions: three draws and no wins. Despite not trailing often, why do you think LAFC struggle to earn comeback points?
TT: I think not being down often is part of it; they just aren't the team in MLS that is used to playing from behind. It's why teams that can get that early first goal against them tend to do really well to get a result, even if it isn't a win. It's also down to how the team has played the last couple of years. Gone are the days of all gas, no brakes, and instead the team has been one to let the opponent control possession as they work on the counter, but when you're playing from behind, you need to be a lot more aggressive, which they haven't been as much this season.
