MIAMI, Florida – 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League finalists Los Angeles FC extended their unbeaten streak in the 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) season to three games with a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
The Earthquakes had handed LAFC their lone loss of the MLS season two weeks ago in San Jose, but LAFC were able to turn the tables on Saturday night and avenge that defeat by earning a full three points.
It marked LAFC’s final MLS match prior to the start of their SCCL Final versus Club Leon of Liga MX, beginning Wednesday, May 31 with the first leg in Leon, Mexico.
LAFC will first play in a US Open Cup match on Tuesday against city rivals Los Angeles Galaxy before fully turning their attention to the SCCL Final.
LAFC could not have asked for a better start to Saturday night’s affair, as they took a 1-0 lead in the 3’ when Stipe Biuk snuck in a right-footed shot amid a sea of San Jose defenders.
The Earthquakes hung tough though and found their way back on level terms in the 52’ on a knuckling left-footed effort from Miguel Trauco to make it 1-1.
Just when it looked it the teams would come away with a share of the spoils, LAFC earned a penalty kick in second half stoppage time via a San Jose handball in the area, and star striker Carlos Vela calmly slotted home the spot kick in the 90+5’ for the 2-1 victory.
LAFC are now first place in the MLS Western Conference standings with 25 points (7W-4D-1L) coming from 12 matches.
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 21, 2023
