OVERALL THOUGHTS

Sporting KC started the game as the better team, attacking the LAFC goal multiple times in the first 5 minutes. The SKC players looked confident and ready to play in the important cup final. As the game progressed, SKC began to lose its hold and started to concede more possession and chances to LAFC. As the game progressed it became clear that SKC was less conditioned for the match as their difference makers (Erik Thommy, Alan Pulido and Johnny Russell) were tired and less effective by the end of the game. Thommy’s goal was the lone bright spot in an otherwise bleak, LAFC-dominated second half. As extra time was added after regular time ended 1-1, it was clear that SKC was fatigued and manager Peter Vermes didn’t utilize his ability to make substitutions well enough throughout the game. Vermes should have subbed in Stephen Afrifa or Alenis Vargas, who are both young and fast, to replace Johnny Russell who is far too old to be playing 120 minutes on any night. 

STATS

Stats are important when reviewing a game as they are trackable ways to understand what happened at a simple level. There are multiple styles of play that a team might try, but the stats tell us how effective they were in their strategy. SKC had issues throughout the game in chance creation, creating zero big chances to LAFCs four and only generating 14 shots to LAFCs 19. LAFC’s decision to play with three very advanced and central players was rewarded by their ability to create 16 of their 19 shots inside the box which meant that they were able to overload the SKC defense and play their style. LAFC was able to shoot the ball inside the SKC 18-yard box more times than SKC was able to even shoot on their goal at all. The teams split possession with SKC having the ball 48% of the time and LAFC having it the other 52% of the time. Both teams also had similar pass completion rates but LAFC completed 81% of their passes attempted for a total of 469 accurate passes, while SKC converted 79% of their passes for a total of 424 accurate passes. LAFC took more corners with ten over SKCs six and committed 20 fouls to SKCs 15. In every major aspect, Sporting was outperformed, setting up the eventual loss.

FORMATION

(LAFC)

LAFC began the game in a 3-4-3 formation, which allows a team two pivot midfielders and three central defenders which makes it hard for the opposing team to generate chances from the middle of the field. The 3-4-3 also allowed LAFC to have three forwards/striker-adjacent players starting. This season, LAFC forward players have combined for 45 goals, showcasing the team’s attacking mentality and goal-scoring abilities. Attackers Denis Bouanga and Olivier Giroud seemed like they were always in the right spot to put a shot on SKC’s Tim Melia. The 3-4-3 also has a wingback on both flanks that aids in spreading the field on the attack and covering wide players in defensive situations and LAFC was able to cross in a few dangerous balls through the use of their wingbacks. 

(SKC)

SKC opened the game in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which is a more standard approach used by many European teams. The four in the back is standard and has two center backs and two fullbacks who get up the field to join the attack. The two holding midfielders link the defense to the offense, lead transitional play and disrupt counter-attacks. The three above them consist of a “10”, a left-wing and a right-wing. The wingers hold the width during attacks and cross the ball into the middle, or in some cases cut in to take shots. The 10 is an attacking midfielder who rotates to fill the holes that other players leave and to switch the focus of an attack. Finally, the 9 or the striker plays above everyone and their job is to score and press the opposition’s defense when they have the ball. Most teams rely on the striker to score a majority of their goals, but Alan Pulido was nowhere to be found in the ugly loss.