ASN: Evaluation: Behind large video games from Crepeau, Chiellini, and Bouanga, LAFC downs Seattle

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down LAFC’s win over Seattle to advance to the Western Convention Ultimate and ship Seattle into an offseason of change.

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
November 27, 2023
5:30 AM

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REIGNING CHAMPIONS LAFC are nonetheless within the hunt for a second consecutive MLS Cup after a formidable 1-0 away win over the Seattle Sounders due to a objective towards the run of play by Denis Bouanga and stellar night time from goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

The sport started with the Seattle Sounders on hearth and placing LAFC on their heels. However after a pair of very spectacular saves from Crepeau, the primary on a shot from Josh Atencio and the second on a 1v1 towards Jordan Morris, LAFC started to search out their toes.

Nonetheless towards the run of play, it was Denis Bouanga with the sport’s solely objective within the thirtieth minute on a pleasant move from Timothy Tillman to play him into the assault. For each membership and nation (Gabon), he now has 12 targets in his final eight video games. In all competitions for LAFC this season, he has 37 targets in 46 video games for the perfect calendar yr ever for an MLS participant.

A Bouanga Blast™ places us within the lead.

Watch ???? https://t.co/lZY5j0E0Sg pic.twitter.com/kBu6s55mWp

— LAFC (@LAFC) November 27, 2023

For the remainder of the sport, LAFC targeted on containing Seattle versus attempting to push ahead for a second objective. Ultimately, it was finally profitable. LAFC had solely 31% possession and accomplished simply 181 passes in contrast with Seattle’s 496.

However in the long run, LAFC got here into the sport enjoying like an underdog and finally gained like an underdog – a goalkeeper having an enormous recreation and an elite objective scorer doing what he does greatest.

“I am not sure that was the plan for the full 90 minutes, but once you get a lead, that is sometimes what it can turn into,” stated LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo.

“I felt like [LAFC] had one good chance and that was the goal,” Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnak stated. “They were clinical in that moment, they scored, and they didn’t really need to attack anymore. It’s a long game and they had a lead, and they were protecting the lead although we did create chances and putting them under pressure with set pieces, stuff like that. It just didn’t go our way. We were missing that final piece. I feel like the last pass or the shot or the touch for the guy to shoot it was not as sharp as previous games.”

Crepeau’s rise

Maxime Crepeau’s efficiency on this recreation was an incredible story for a lot of causes. Even past it being a game-changer, this comes after a season when he suffered a damaged leg in MLS Cup in 2022 and needed to miss out on the World Cup for Canada.

Whereas 2022 is ended with huge disappointment, Crepeau is placing it again collectively once more in 2023.

4′ | Large save by Maxime Crépeau#SEAvLAFC 0-0 pic.twitter.com/C448ACY7HQ

— LAFC (@LAFC) November 27, 2023

“He had an incredible game,” Cherundolo stated. “To win big games, you need players having big performances.”

However now, Crepeau has a good larger take a look at. LAFC will probably be favored to win at dwelling towards Houston and in the event that they do, the ultimate will probably be on the highway someplace in Ohio towards a well-liked opponent.

For Crepeau, he’ll now be able to assert the No. 1 for Canada’s nationwide staff.

Chiellini’s knowledge

LAFC’s Georgio Chiellini was an enormous purpose why LAFC was in a position to defend its approach to victory. After LAFC scored the objective, they didn’t should play with a excessive line of defense. Now 39, Chiellini struggles in an open recreation the place it may be a footrace, however when he’s deeper and might depend on studying the sport and anticipation, there isn’t a one higher.

On Sunday, Chiellini wasn’t comfy early when LAFC have been with no objective and Jordan Morris was in a position to get previous him. However as soon as the sport modified, Chiellini placed on a masterclass and was a purpose why LAFC was in a position to survive with out the ball and sitting deep.

“His timing and his intelligence to anticipate, to read moments in the game, when to step, anticipate crosses, getting early body position on forwards is amazing,” Cherundolo said of Chiellini. “When he gets into an open game and he has to run with forwards, it’s not the greatest. But his timing, his anticipation, his football IQ is something that this league I don’t think has ever seen in that position. We’re very blessed to have him and to see him at this stage of his career to put everything he possibly has into it for this group.”

Seattle at a crossroads

This recreation felt like the tip of the highway for Seattle. Heading into this season, it appeared as if relying a lot on Nicholas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz, and Joao Paulo was asking numerous an older crew. And Lodeiro and Ruidiaz turned bench choices late.

It’s all the time robust to handle growing old star gamers who’re legends for each the membership and metropolis. Seattle is now getting into a time when it’s going to should say some robust goodbyes. It was a defining second when each have been subbed into this recreation.

A Bouanga Blast™ places us within the lead.

Watch ???? https://t.co/lZY5j0E0Sg pic.twitter.com/kBu6s55mWp

— LAFC (@LAFC) November 27, 2023

“And change is inevitable,” stated Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer. “It’s pro sports, we can’t be afraid of change. We can’t be afraid of making decisions. And the club’s going to survive, the club is going to keep going. We’re going to find new, good players. Again, Craig [Waibel] and I will go take some time over the next couple of weeks and decide and make decisions and go into next year with a plan and we’ll let you guys know what we come up with.”

Sure, Seattle has to make obligatory modifications. However Lodeiro has been probably the greatest gamers within the historical past of the league for what he did for Seattle each in successful the Champions League in addition to MLS Cups. That’s robust to interchange.

“I feel sad. Many years here with the club, in the city. I feel sad, first because we lost,” Lodeiro stated. “At some point, I feel sad too because it was my last game in front of the beautiful fans and in this beautiful city. I’m really sad. But that’s life.”