Shorthanded LAFC still gets it done against Toronto FC

No Son-Heung Min, No Denis Bouanga, no problem for LAFC.

Even with its two top scorers plus two other players having left the team for international duty this week, LAFC still had enough to keep its winning streak in tact on Wednesday night against Toronto FC. But hey, as long as your bench features quality players like Jeremy Ebobissie and David Martinez, and you still have players like Timothy Tillman, Frankie Amaya, Marky Delgado and Eddie Segura, chances are you won’t skip a beat.

That was what happened on Wednesday night against Toronto. Ebobissie struck early in the first half and Amaya tallied in the second half, and LAFC continued its climb up the Western Conference standings with its sixth straight win 2-0 at BMO Stadium.

“It’s not easy for players to step in and try to emulate and play the exact same way as others, and that’s not what we ask. We always ask that the players play within their own means and play to their strengths,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “I was pleased with the defensive effort from everyone. Gave up very little once again, which is not easy to do in this league.”

The three points earned on Wednesday night was huge for LAFC (17-7-8, 59 points), as they moved past Minnesota United for third place in the conference and are also within a point of the two top teams, San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

LAFC relied on some good fortune to grab the lead in the 13th minute. Toronto’s Alonso Coello mishandled a ball and Ebobissie came in, stole the ball and broke for goal. Ebobissie dribbled into the penalty area and slotted a left-footed shot that beat keeper Sean Johnson far post to get LAFC on the board.

“It was a cohesive press from our team and it put them under pressure – and when you put teams under pressure, sometimes you’re going to make mistakes,” Ebobissie said. Tonight, I was able to capitalize on that mistake, but we have seen it throughout the season that anyone who’s in that position can get it done. We are going to have a big challenge against Austin this weekend, but if we can get another three points it’s going to put us in a really nice situation.”

LAFC kept the pressure on throughout the match, and had a golden opportunity to add on more goals. It started in the 58th minute when Toronto’s Kosl Thompson fouled David Martinez inside the penalty area, and referee Filip Dujic signaled LAFC to the penalty spot. Martinez looked to finish what he started, but Johnson denied him, guessing correctly on Martinez’s penalty. LAFC however got that second goal in the 68th minute, as Eddie Segura won back a ball inside Toronto’s side of the field, sprung Amaya with a ball down the right wing, Amaya took the ball into the penalty area and slotted the shot past Johnson near post.

“Obviously Sonny and Denis are a big part of the team, but we kind of stepped up as a whole team,” Amaya said. We have been fighting together and working hard together. We are a big united team, and I think just getting a goal and helping the team out and securing three points is something big for us. Obviously, as we go into the playoffs to get a higher seed, it is the goal we are aiming for.”

Wednesday’s match was a bit emotional for Cherundolo, as it was his final regular season as head coach of LAFC. Cherundolo, who is stepping down after the season with the intent to continue his coaching career in Germany, where he played his entire professional career, has certainly brought a lot of success to the Black and Gold during his four seasons on the LAFC sidelines, and with at least one more game at home during the playoffs, Cherundolo is definitely looking forward to the postseason run ahead.

“Yes, it’s coming to an end but anybody who’s spent any time with me knows that we’re going to give this go everything we have,” Cherundolo said. “We are going to try everything and do everything in order to be celebrating at the end of a very long season because this club deserves it, this team deserves it, and our fans deserve it.”

LAFC now braces for a big test, as they go on the road to the capital of the Lone Star State for a matchup with Austin FC.