LAFC outlasts New York Red Bulls

It’s that time of the season now that the results truly start to matter, and LAFC certainly knew that on Wednesday night.

Having not won a match in a little more than a month, LAFC knew Wednesday night’s match against the New York Red Bulls was very important. Aside from the sake of just winning, there was the obvious matter of needing to keep pace in the Western Conference race, especially since LAFC will play its next three matches on the road and won’t play at BMO Stadium until October 10. LAFC answered the call, as goals from Jude Terry and Armindo Sieb carried LAFC on a scorching hot Wednesday night to the 2-0 win .

The win is LAFC’s first of any kind (regulation or penalty shootout) since it defeated Queretaro on penalties in the Legaues Cup back on August 12. The win keeps LAFC (11-7-7, 40 points) three points back of the Houston Dynamo for second place in the conference and six points back of the Vancouver Whitecaps for the top spot.

LAFC jumped ahead in the 21st minute. Yevhen Cheberko passed to Son Heung-min inside the penalty area, Son sidestepped Adri Mehmeti with a stepover move to get free, then fired a left-footed shot, keeper Ethan Horvath made the save, but left a rebound and Terry swooped in and fired a right-footed shot just inside the 18-yard box that got past a scrambling Horvath into the back net to stake LAFC to the lead.

LAFC had plenty more chances throughout the match, but didn’t get that elusive second goal until second half stoppage time. Ryan Hollingshead worked a one-two with Cheberko, which resulted in Hollingshead getting free down the left flank, Hollingshead crossed towards the penalty area to Sieb, who was finally making his debut for LAFC after being acquired from Bayern Munich back on August 13. Sieb volleyed a left-footed shot, which got past a flat-footed Horvath into the upper back net to wrap up the three points for LAFC.

LAFC’s three-match road trip begins this Saturday when they travel to the Midwest to face Sporting Kansas City.