The rest of the month ahead: Checking out LAFC’s August slate

Los Angeles Football Club opened their August slate on Saturday with a 2-0 win over the New England Revolution on the road, their first trip to New England and first win over that club.

But with the first game of the month’s slate in the books, it’s time to look at the rest of the schedule for August, and no surprise, it’s going to be a hot one, with four more games coming up.

Sunday, August 11 - vs. New York Red Bulls

Another cross-conference clash next weekend, this one against the defending Supporters’ Shield holders in the Red Bulls. These teams met last season at Red Bull Arena with the Red Bulls beating LAFC rather handily, but a few factors make for optimism from a black-and-gold perspective: It will be at The Banc, and LAFC are a stronger team, while New York have struggled quite a lot this year. That doesn’t mean you should write a “W” in permanent marker for LAFC just yet, since the Red Bulls have the experience and guile to trip up an opponent, but it will be a good chance to rack up a debut win over an opponent and keep the good times rolling in the Golden State.

Saturday, August 17 - at Real Salt Lake

LAFC will then head to Utah to take on RSL. The history between these teams is mixed — LAFC have won four games, including a 5-1 rout at Rio Tinto Stadium last year in just their second-ever game — but RSL won the most important game, the MLS Cup Playoffs upset at The Banc last year. RSL have been characteristically inconsistent, but they are an impressive 8-2-1 at home in league play this year, and they’re currently on a four-game unbeaten run. I think we know that any team can beat any team in MLS on a given day — we saw that unfold before our eyes in bitterly disappointing fashion in the playoffs last year, so even if RSL look like a team that struggles at times, they most likely won’t be an easy out and could even give the mighty LAFC a good run.

Wednesday, August 21 - vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Mike D. lovers, rejoice, as the Quakes will come to The Banc in league play. Like RSL, LAFC have beaten them twice already this season, once in regular season play, once in the Open Cup, but even more than RSL, the Quakes are a different team now. The battering LAFC posted on them in San Jose at the beginning of the season was the actual turning point for them, and even since the Open Cup match, the Quakes have found themselves and it turns out they are quite good. The only coach who can give Bob Bradley a run for his money as MLS Coach of the Year in 2019 is Matias Almeyda, and that’s because he’s been a real miracle worker with San Jose. The Quakes are poking around second place in the West, and could stay there, especially if they upset LAFC at home.

Sunday, August 25 - vs. LA Galaxy

Whether the first El Trafico game this year left you exhausted or eager for a rematch, the next edition is on tap to close out the month. This one will be at The Banc, and LAFC’s record coming in at home is unbeaten (albeit one game to date, the Galaxy have hosted three games in contrast). But aside from the trophy quest this is the white whale for LAFC, as they look for a sweeter three points than the rest.

Anything else of note?

LAFC will most likely clinch a playoff spot in August. In addition, they have a shot of clinching the Supporters’ Shield, if they pick up points and other results go their way. Exciting times, but four games left in the month and 11 games left in the regular season in what’s been a special campaign so far for the black-and-gold.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!