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MLS Los Angeles FC

LAFC Defeats San Jose 2-1 Thanks to Carlos Vela's Stoppage Time Goal

May 21, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release


The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) earned the full three points thanks to a Carlos Vela penalty in second half stoppage time, giving them a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Stadium. LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night, and one of those changes paid off immediately as Stipe Biuk tallied his second goal of the season in just the third minute, giving LAFC an early 1-0 lead.

The Earthquakes equalized in the 52nd minute thanks to a goal from Miguel Trauco and the score would stay that way into second half stoppage time when a video review led to a handball being called in the box on San Jose's Tanner Beason. Carlos Vela, dispatched the resulting penalty kick into the net, giving LAFC a 2-1 victory.

With the win, LAFC moves into first place in the Western Conference with a 7-1-4 record for 25 points. The club remains unbeaten at home in MLS play this season, going 5-0-1 at BMO Stadium for 16 points from a possible 18.

The Black & Gold are back in action on Tuesday night when they host the LA Galaxy in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. That game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen live on CBS Sports Golazo Network.

QUOTES:

Postgame press conference transcripts are be ‚ available HERE.

FOOTAGE:

Audio Interviews with LAFC Head CoachSteve Cherundolo, Carlos Vela, Stipe Biuk, and Eric Duenas are available.

NEWS & NOTES

With the win, LAFC is now 7-1-4 on the season for 25 points. LAFC is now in first place in the Western Conference, two points ahead of second place Seattle.

LAFC is now 5-0-1 at home this season in MLS play and 7-1-1 in all competitions.

At BMO Stadium, LAFC has outscored opponents 15-5 in six regular season games and 22-7 in all competitions.

LAFC and the Eastern Conference leading FC Cincinnati are the only two teams in MLS this season averaging more than two points per game.

Tonight's victory came exactly two weeks after the Earthquakes handed LAFC its only loss of the season, a 2-1 road loss on May 6.

Stipe Biuk gave LAFC a 1-0 lead in the 3rd minute with his second goal of the season. Biuk's goal was officially scored 2:17 into the game. Only Timothy Tillman scored faster for LAFC this season, scoring 2:14 into the 2-1 win over FC Dallas on March 25.

Biuk's goal was the sixth fastest goal in LAFC history.

Jose Cifuentes and Ryan Hollingshead were each credited with assists on the goal. For Cifuentes, it was his third assist of the season, leaving him second on the team behind Carlos Vela while for Hollingshead it was his first of the season.

Carlos Vela scored the eventual game-winning goal in second half stoppage time, converting a penalty kick. That was his fourth goal of the season and first since April 16 when he scored twice in a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy.

Vela's penalty goal came following a video review. On Wednesday night, in the 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City, LAFC had a potential game-winning goal called off following a video review.

LAFC is now 3-0-0 this season when Vela scores in MLS play.

After playing to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo made five changes to the starting lineup with two of those changes - Stipe Biuk and Ryan Hollingshead - combining on the first goal.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 21, 2023


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