LAFC loan watch: Ejimadu, Batista at FC Tucson; Vassell at Phoenix Rising FC

It’s been busy for Los Angeles Football Club, as they sit atop the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings and plenty of players are getting looks on the field. But there’s currently a quintet of LAFC players recently out on loan around the USL Championship and USL League One, and here’s an update of their time playing elsewhere.

Phillip Ejimadu: FC Tucson

The LAFC goalkeeper was away from Tucson for a bit with Pablo Sisniega injured, as he served as Tyler Miller’s backup, but he was in net for Tucson in their USL League One clash against the Chattanooga Red Wolves on Friday, posting a shutout for a 1-0 Tucson win. 2018 LAFC draft pick Jordan Jones scored the game’s lone goal from the penalty spot.

The youngster, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Saturday, has made 14 appearances for FC Tucson this season, conceding 16 goals and notching four clean sheets. Ejimadu is tied for 7th in USL League One with 37 saves this season, well off the top performer in the league, Chattanooga’s Alex Mangels. He was named to USL League One Team of the Week in Week 6.

Lamar Batista: FC Tucson

Ejimadu’s LAFC teammate Batista was also heavily involved in Friday’s win over Chattanooga, going the full 90 in central defense for Tucson. Since being loaned to Tucson, the 21-year-old has made 13 appearances, all starts, picking up three yellow cards in the process. He was in the USL League One Team of the Week in Week 11.

Peter-Lee Vassell: Phoenix Rising FC

Vassell drew the assignment of playing with the USL Championship equivalent of LAFC this season, as Phoenix are on the longest winning streak ever and are well ahead of everyone else in terms of the USL Shield.

Vassell has one start and three substitute appearances in three games, playing a total of 118 minutes, as Phoenix went 4-0-0, most recently a 3-0 road win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Saturday where Peter-Lee was the final sub for Phoenix.

Rodolfo Zelaya: Las Vegas Lights FC

The forward has played twice for Lights FC, starting both contests and playing 137 minutes, scoring no goals, both scoreless games for Vegas. He did not feature in the team’s most recent game, a midweek draw against Tulsa Roughnecks, possibly because on-loan players typically train with LAFC during the week.

Dejan Jakovic: Las Vegas Lights FC

Jakovic has made one appearance on his most recent loan spell with Las Vegas, going the distance in a 3-0 loss at Orange County SC on Aug. 17. He hasn’t played in Vegas’ last two games and is on LAFC’s injury report with an adductor injury.

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