SAGA Photo Story: LAFC celebrates their 5th year anniversary by launching their newest Home Jersey

The “5 Years Strong” anniversary kit, shown above, celebrates the five years the club has played in the MLS thus far. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

The jersey launch was filled with Black and Gold festivities, which included carnival games, live music, food trucks, and other attractions that kept the night lively. Those who bought the new kit also received a free customization voucher for the back of their jerseys. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

Fans were also able to grasp in the view of the pitch by visiting the northwest concourse of Banc of California Stadium, soaking in the Black and Gold vibrance of the Los Angeles Football Club. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

The 3252, LAFC’s Supporter Union, Showed out and brought the drums with them for a big party at the Pepsi Plaza. Even LAFC Co-President, Larry Freedman, joined in on the fun. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

The 3252 have been waiting patiently for the season to begin, but the active support already seems to be in mid-season form. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

As we inch closer to the league’s 28th season, LAFC and MLS fans everywhere look over the calm before the storm within Banc of California Stadium. LAFC kick their fifth year off against a familiar foe, the Colorado Rapids, this Saturday. Photo Credit: Jerry Reynoso (@JR4YNOSO)

Aurajo Stars In El Tráfico 3-3 Draw

Julian Aurajo played a starring role in all three of LA Galaxy’s goals against LAFC. The right back was a constant nuisance to the LAFC defense.

Despite playing right-back, Aurajo had the most touches of any LA Galaxy player in the first half, and had the second-most on the field, only beaten by Tristan Blackmon who had 41.

However, it was not just Aurajo’s stellar play that led to his excellent performance. The American’s linkup play with Kevin Cabral was on another level on the day. But, LAFC’s pedestrian defending didn’t help matters.

Galaxy went through the majority of the first half on top but as soon as the second half began, LAFC was all over their counterparts. Bob Bradley’s instructions to the group were clearly to push forward more often and try to catch Galaxy out with their opposition’s bad passes in the back.

This worked spectacularly for LAFC for a spell as they grabbed a goal through Brian Rodriguez to put them 2-1 in front. However, this was quickly undone by the stellar play of Julian Aurajo.

The 20-year-old played a beautiful through ball into Kevin Cabral, but the Frenchman was unable to bring the ball under control. Aurajo then wound up back with the ball and played a fantastic pass across to Sebastian Lletget who fed Dejan Jovelijic in to tie the game 2-2.

LAFC was quickly back on top though as their high pressure paid dividends once again, only 2 minutes after Galaxy found the equalizer. Fortunately for Galaxy fans, the side was able to slowly work their way back into the game and found a late equalizer through a Kevin Cabral finish. The 23-year-old’s shot was set up by none other than Julian Aurajo.

Overall, both sides should be happy with a point. Galaxy remain firmly in the promotion qualification spots while LAFC sits just outside.

Your Black and Gold guide through the MLS Is Back Tournament: What you need to know as LAFC prepares

Since the Coronavirus pandemic first struck the United States and suspended the MLS regular season, four months of no football in North America becomes no more as MLS Commissioner Don Garber has announced a profound World Cup style tournament that involves all 26 teams and a few stipulations to enhance the competition. The Announcement comes a few weeks after the state of Florida commences the re-opening of the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando to select sports leagues and organizations in the United States.

Here is how the tournament format will play out, according to MLSSoccer.com:

Group Stage:

• The 26 teams will be split into six groups.

• Nashville SC will move to the Eastern Conference and will remain in the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the 2020 season.

• The Eastern Conference will have three groups, one of six teams and two with four teams each.

• The Western Conference will have three groups, each consisting of four teams.

• Each team will play three group stage matches over the course of 16 consecutive days.

• The top two teams from each group along with the four best third-place finishers will move on to the knockout stage, beginning with the Round of 16.

• If two or more clubs are tied on points in the group stage, MLS Regular Season tiebreakers procedures are used.

• The tiebreakers for determining the four 3rd-placed clubs are: (1) points, (2) goal differential, (3) goals scored, (4) fewest disciplinary points.

Stipulations:

• Regular Season points: Each of the 39 group-stage games will count for points toward the 2020 regular-season standings.

  1. Concacaf Champions League spot: In a one-time change to MLS berths to the annual Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, the MLS is Back Tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League, regardless of whether it is a U.S. or Canadian club. This berth replaces the one traditionally awarded to the regular-season conference leader that did not win the Supporters’ Shield.

  2. Prize Money: In addition to matches that count in the regular-season standings and competing for bragging rights, the MLS is Back Tournament will give players the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.

Groups

After the tournament, MLS plans to resume back to its standard regular season format with teams playing at their home stadiums. With that, the MLS held a tournament draw to place the teams in six different groups. Here are the results:

LAFC headline a star-studded Group F, grabbing group stage ties against two rivals, LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers, and a reunion with former striker Christian Ramirez in the MLS is Back tournament. Graphic created and posted by LAFC via social media (@lafc).

Eastern Conference

1. Orlando City SC

2. Inter Miami CF

3. New York City FC

4. Philadelphia Union

5. Chicago Fire FC

6. Nashville SC

GROUP B

Western Conference

1. Seattle Sounders FC

2. FC Dallas

3. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

4. San Jose Earthquakes

GROUP C

Eastern Conference

1. Toronto FC

2. New England Revolution

3. Montreal Impact

4. D.C. United

GROUP D

Western Conference

1. Real Salt Lake

2. Sporting Kansas City

3. Colorado Rapids

4. Minnesota United FC

GROUP E

Eastern Conference

1. Atlanta United FC

2. FC Cincinnati

3. New York Red Bulls

4. Columbus Crew SC

GROUP F

Western Conference

1. LAFC

2. LA Galaxy

3. Houston Dynamo

4. Portland Timbers FC

LAFC have reported for full team training and are making final preparations before their trip to Orlando on June 24th.