Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

Welcome to our first episode of 2025, a solo Scarf endeavor entailing everything that's happened (so far) and everything that hasn't happened (yet) in January. The preseason is underway and we are here for it!Odin Thiago Holm, Igor Jesus, Nkosi Tafari, Erik Duenas, Omar Campos, Mark Delgado, Todd Saldaña, Yaw Yeboah, Mateusz Bogusz, Cristian Olivera, Carlos Vela, and more are discussed here on 340, as well as our preseason schedule, which includes everything from a Canadian Premier League club to Club America!Join Scarf for this fun breakdown of everything so far in 2025, and we'll be back soon for 341!

And just like that, 2024 comes to a close with... wait, what?! Jesus Murillo gone? Ilie Sanchez gone? Kei Kamara gone? Strange things are definitely afoot in the land of Black and Gold. Here on Episode 339, Filly and Scarf take a look at all the happenings since the end of the season: every transaction, every award, every schedule update, and even a rumor or two are covered in this episode. Aaron Long is back! Jude Terry is one of our own! But man-oh-man is it going to be hard to replace the veteran presence, the leadership, the class, and the quality of Ilie, Kei, and Muri. Sit down, put your feet up, and close out your 2024, or start your 2025, with your favorite LAFC-podcasting duo, and enjoy Episode 339!

It's Episode 338. Somewhat surprisingly and certainly prematurely, this will be the last episode that contains an LAFC game recap in 2024, as the Black and Gold fall to the Rave Green, 2-1, at BMO in the Western Conference Semifinals. It was a heartbreaking loss, especially because LAFC had played well enough to win and created enough chances to score. The soccer gods, however, are a fickle bunch, and, in this year's playoffs, aging goalkeepers seem to have curried their favor. Stefan Frei stood on his head, making three incredible saves on would-be sure goals, Maxime Chanot found the back of our net, and Jordan Morris found one late to eliminate LAFC. Yes, questions abound. And yes, we ask many of them here on 338. However, this isn't a full post-mortem, as that will come later in the offseason. This episode truly was a venting session, a stage in the grieving process. You want Dolo out? Pissed at JT and the FO? Do you feel the same way Scarf does about Olivier Giroud? All of that was fair game on this one, as this can be your safe space, too. Like we said, we will attempt to ask and answer many of the larger questions at a later date this year. Also on this episode, Filly talks like a parrot, Scarf answers the door, and we search for Carlos Vela. This isn't goodbye for 2024 yet, but it's at least goodbye for Episode 338!

Its been a few weeks but finally the MLS Cup Playoffs resume and so do the One More Sleeps.

Welcome to Episode 337, the final episode about Vancouver for 2024! Yaaaay!In a nail-biter of a match, LAFC dispatches the Whitecaps from the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second year in a row, taking out the Canucks 1-0 on home ice at BMO Stadium. A bit of Matty Magic was all it took, with Aaron Long starting the party for him. LAFC moves on to face the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Semis after the totally normal international break in between playoff rounds. Enjoy 337!

LAFC takes on Vancouver. Now tell us, when was the last time you heard that?

It's Episode 336, and, yes, for the 11th time in two seasons, it's about Vancouver. This one, however, stung, as LAFC put up their worst performance on the road in quite some time in a 3-0 loss to Vancouver in the second match of the best-of-three First Round Playoff affair. In a goal eerily resembling the stoppage-timer from last match, Ryan Gauld got the home side off to a dream start just 10 minutes in. Three minutes later, the Ryan-to-Ryan connection was made for the first time this season, as Ryn Gauld found a streaking... Ryan Hollingshead... with a deft cross, and the home side was up 2-0. Though LAFC put up a solid effort for the first 20 minutes of the second half, the nail was provided by one of our own, as Eddie Segura put away another beautiful ball by Ryan Gauld to make it 3-0. Yikes. Also on this episode... not much else. Yes, we talk about the first IG post in LAFC history, and Mario expecting a baby boy, but at the end of the day... it's the Whitecaps. Again. But don't worry, the boys will be ready to do it one more time in 2024, as LAFC takes on Vancouver on Friday to settle the series, with the season on the line. Enjoy!

It's Scarf. It's the 11th time LAFC plays Vancouver in 2 seasons. And it's absolutely vital that the Black and Gold put the Whitecaps away on the road to advance to the Western Semis!

The King has returned! For the first time since 2023, Carlos Vela is back on the pitch for LAFC! For the 10th time in two years, LAFC takes on Vancouver. One of those things we love, the other not so much, but we talk about it all on Episode 335!LAFC, as they have done for much of the last two seasons, dominated a lesser-talented Vancouver side over the course of 90+ minutes. A penalty goal by Denis after great combination play from Bogusz and Giroud set the tone for the first half, putting LAFC up 1-0. Just before the hour mark, excellent build-up and ball movement allowed Cristian Olivera to double the leads. LAFC looked to be cruising when, in the 86', Carlos Vela jogged over to the bench after warming up in front of the North End, signaling the return of El Rey!Neither Mateusz Bogusz hitting the woodwork twice nor a late, stoppage-time goal for Vancouver could damper the mood at BMO. Our #10 was back, LAFC takes the first playoff match of 2024, and now... we play Vancouver again. Oy.Also on the pod, CWM Woodwork is a thing. Not really sure how to explain it, but you'll understand after listening to Episode 335. Enjoy! 

This One More Sleep does it's best werewolf impression, morphing into a Playoff Preview MegaPod! Erik Hultstrom and Luke Klipp join Scarf to talk a bit about the regular season, our upcoming matchup with Vancouver, and even a bit of the craziness happening in Chavez Ravine!