Swanson: LAFC applies pressure in Western Conference finals
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, right, heads the ball against Austin FC forward Diego Fagúndez, left, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, right, recovers the ball against Austin FC defender Ruben Gabrielsen, left, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, top center, raises the Western Conference trophy as he celebrates with his team after defeating Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, fights Austin FC midfielder Alexander Ring, right, for the ball during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango, left, kicks the ball past Austin FC midfielder Daniel Pereira, right, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder José Cifuentes, right, controls the ball against Austin FC midfielder Felipe Martins during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, left, fights off Austin FC midfielder Felipe Martins during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku, right, celebrates after scoring a goal against Austin FC during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga , center, brings the ball down the pitch during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match against Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios, front center, controls the ball against Austin FC defender Nick Lima, center back, during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Mahala Opoku controls a bouncing ball and scores the final goal in a 3-0 win over Austin FC in the second half of the MLS Western Conference final at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta, top back, vies for the ball against Austin FC midfielder Felipe Martins during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder José Cifuentes, left, passes the ball against Austin FCduring the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, celebrates with midfielder José Cifuentes, second from left, after Vela forces an Austin FC own goal during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku, right, kicks a goal past Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Austin FC forward Maximiliano Urruti, fifth from left, makes an own goal from a kick by Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, not pictured, during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Austin FC forward Maximiliano Urruti, center, makes an own goal from a kick by Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, not pictured, during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Sebastien Ibeagha, right, reacts after an own goal by Austin FC during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga kicks the ball into the center of the pitch against Austin FC during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango, right, takes a goal shot defended by Austin FC defender Julio Cascante, left, during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez kicks the ball against Austin FC during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios, center, vies for the ball against Austin FC midfielder Alexander Ring, bottom left, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo, center, yells instructions during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match against Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder José Cifuentes kicks the ball during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match against Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango kicks the ball against Austin FC during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, center, vies for the ball against Austin FC forward Diego Fagúndez, left, and forward Moussa Djitté, right, during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini, left, heads the ball against Austin FC forward Moussa Djitté, right, during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, kicks the ball in against the Austin FC during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver, center, catches the ball against the Los Angeles FC during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez, right, kicks the ball defended by Austin FC forward Sebastián Driussi, left, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez, second from left, heads the ball against Austin FC forward Moussa Djitté, center, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder José Cifuentes, left, kicks the ball against Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver, right, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Jesús Murillo, right, looks to pass against Austin FC forward Diego Fagúndez, left, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
A skull with a top hat is mounted in the supporters section during the second half of an MLS Western Conference Final match between the Los Angeles FC and Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
An Los Angeles FC fan with Day of the Dead traditional face paint cheers during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match between the Los Angeles FC and Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Austin FC fans hold up scarfs during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match against the Los Angeles FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC fans cheer during the first half of an MLS Western Conference Final match against Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Actor Owen Wilson, center left, performed honorary falconer duties before an MLS Western Conference Final match between the Los Angeles FC and the Austin FC at the Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
In most impressive fashion, after a most impressive season, the L.A. Football Club – your L.A. Football Club, Los Angeles – stormed into its first Major League Soccer final.
LAFC will host either Philadelphia Union or New York City FC at 1 p.m. Saturday, back at Banc of California Stadium for the third time in three playoff matches. (USC has a game that evening next door at the Coliseum, so stay tuned for parking and transportation options, LAFC officials said.)
It’ll be a hectic afternoon in the neighborhood because, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, before its typically raucous home crowd, LAFC dominated Austin FC, 3-0, to put itself within 90 minutes of the MLS Cup.
“So it’s more than a dream now; it’s a goal,” said midfielder Ilie Sánchez, part of a major talent turnover on a team so deep LAFC could’ve fielded two 11-man starting squads this season.
But as Dodgers fans know too well, such silly depth doesn’t automatically equate to success. Rams fans can tell you recent success has no bearing on what a team is doing for you lately.
In LAFC’s case, getting this far took five years of dues paying. Some heartache and serious retooling along the way. New leadership on the sideline.
After missing the playoffs last year for the only time in the franchise’s history, this regular season’s results looked good. Often great.
LAFC claimed its second Supporters’ Shield and hit a rough patch only late, and still new Coach Steve Cherundolo’s players finished with a first-round bye that set them up in the Western Conference semifinals with the Galaxy, their intracity rival, which they defeated in a down-to-the-wire 3-2 thriller on Oct. 20.
Finally, on Sunday, it took getting over a substantial hump in a match what might’ve been a pressure-packed stress test if LAFC hadn’t been so locked in, so prepared, so intent on squeezing its opponent – and all of the tension out of the match.
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Austin FC’s coach Josh Wolff sounded like he was reading a thesaurus post-match as he came up with ways to describe what his team – in just its second year of existence – experienced Saturday.
LAFC, he said, smothered his guys. LAFC was relentless. Put them under immense pressure and made it combative. “They were coming,” he said.
That was all according to plan, said Sanchez, who noted that he actually forgot he was playing in a Western Conference championship match once it got going.
Ryan Hollingshead could relate.
“Once the whistle blows, we are just focused on the task at hand,” said the LAFC defender and former UCLA Bruin. “There’s something, too, about playing at the Banc with the 3252 (supporters section), that when the whistle blows … you feel like nobody is going to come in here and take it from us.”
It wasn’t so much that LAFC was playing loose or free, it was that they were playing with so much intensity and confidence that Austin was no match – even though the Verde had won both prior meetings between the teams this season.
Even though Austin had weapons of its own, including MVP candidate Sebastian Driussi and Diego Fagundez, who came in with a career-high 21 combined goals and assists.
None of that mattered against an LAFC team that showed up showing its fangs, going into intermission having taken just a 1-0 lead – but 16 first-half shots to Austin FC’s mere, meek one.
The match ended with goals by Cristian Arango (in the 29th minute), Maximiliano Urruti (an own goal in the 62nd) and Kwadwo Opoku (81st) – marking just the second time in MLS history that a one-leg conference final was decided by three scores.
There was a trophy ceremony at midfield and a confetti shower, but there wasn’t champagne in the locker room. What there was, Cherundolo said, was “want for more.” Sanchez put on a new T-shirt to commemorate the achievement, but he made clear he hopes to exchange it for a different shirt next week.
Because, if anything, Sunday’s dominance fueled a desire to keep pushing, to push harder.
“I want to take it to the next level,” Hollingshead said. “Tonight it was like they just couldn’t even breathe … We’ve known from the start of the season that when we play our best football, nobody can match us.
“The last week is long, the season is long, there’s ups and downs, there’s moments where your legs are not feeling 100%. There’s moments where you just don’t get up for a game in the same way and all that gets scratched when it’s playoff time.
“Today was just everybody at their peak, everybody focused mentally 100%, everybody physically ready 100%, and when you have that, and you put that together with the talent that we have, the result of today is what you see. For us a big thing is not getting lackadaisical with it and showing up next week with the exact same mentality.
“Because if we do, I think that we are close to impossible to beat.”
That feels not like a dream, but like an appropriate goal for a team as stacked and successful as this one already has proved to be.
