Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

Episode 297 - Bouanga's Brace Bags a Point at BMO

One More Sleep - NYRB Preview

Filly and The Scarf are back in action previewing LAFC's upcoming match vs Aaron Long's former club, NYRB

Episode 296 - Bogusz Brace Bags A Point in Portland

"Keep Portland Weird" is the slogan you'll see plastered on many walls, billboards, and bumper stickers as you make your way across the Rose City. Well, LAFC and Portland did their best to keep Portland weird in their 2-2 draw on Saturday, and you can hear all about it here on Episode 296.  With Filly still in New York, our good buddy Chris Lafferty joined Scarf to break down the match in Portland. The first half belonged to Evander, as The Real Deal gave Portland the lead on a pass to Feli...

One More Sleep - LAFC Heads to Portland to Face Crepeau

LAFC travels up the coast to see an old friend, as the Portland Timbers, with their new keeper, Maxime Crepeau, host the Black and Gold

Episode 295 - LAFC Ends LAG Unbeaten Streak

LAFC beats LAG in their first rivalry match of the season. Filly and Scarf recap the goals, the memories and the good times.

One More Sleep - It's Derby Time!!!

The undefeated (ugh) Carson Galaxy heads to BMO for Round 1 of the LA Derby! Hear the boys' thoughts on the match, players to watch, and score predictions. 

Episode 294 - Mihailovic Meltsdown LAFC In Mile High.

A Mile-Hi and welcome to episode 294 of Defenders of the Banc. Our expectations after last week's win were sky high, but the Rapids brought us back down to earth with a frustrating 3-2 defeat in Commerce City, CO. With Scarf miles away in Puerto Rico, Filly enlists the help of friend of the pod, and member of the @blackandgoldrc , Chris Lafferty ( @lafclaff ) to cover the news from this past week and recap everything from today's match. Take a listen to EPISODE 294!

One More Sleep - Rapids Preview

Filly is flying solo today on this edition of OMS. Well, Filly and Hello Kitty. 

Episode 293 - Bouanga's Brace, Olly’s Return Highlight 5-0 Win

Welcome to Episode 293, and what a match it was for the boys in Black and Gold! LAFC ends our scoreless streak just before it hit 350 minutes, Denis Bouanga bags a brace (though he will tell you it should have been 4!), and Olly takes a circuitous route around BMO for her pre-match flight. Take a listen for all the details of a thrilling night at BMO.  LAFC got on the board early, off a beautiful corner kick by Eduard Atuesta. The ball nicked Aaron Long's head before Nashville's defender de...

One More Sleep - Nashville Comes to BMO

Turns out we forgot to upload this to Buzzsprout before the match! Sorry! Here is Scarf's One More Sleep leading into LAFC's match vs. Nashville at BMO!

Episode 292 - Loons Lengthen LAFC's Goalless Drought to 339 Minutes

LAFC traveled to the Twin Cities to take on Minnesota United and, stop us if you've heard this before, LAFC was held goalless. Again. In fact, it's been 339 minutes of actual live play since out last goal. Cue the Titanic meme, indeed.  A mess of a clearance by Murillo off a set piece given under questionable-at-best circumstances fell to the feet of Robin Lod, who, even with his off-foot, doesn't miss from that close, put the Loons up a goal just after the 15' mark. Flash forward to the 88...

One More Sleep - MUFC Preview

Filly and Scarf preview LAFC's upcoming match vs Minnesota United. 

Episode 291 - Lloris and Melia Keep It Scoreless at BMO

LAFC heads back to the friendly confines of BMO Stadium for a matchup against Peter Vermes-led Sporting Kansas City, the only club to beat LAFC twice at home in the regular season in our club's first 6 years. What we hoped would be a high-scoring match for the Black and GOld quickly turned into a battle of keepers.  Former MLS Pool keeper and longtime SKC player Tim Melia was outstanding, making huge save after huge save over the course of 90 minutes to keep LAFC off the board. Our best cha...

One More Sleep Preview - SKC Preview

Despite Filly's rotten luck with his computer the boys give you a preview of LAFC's upcoming match vs SKC. 

Episode 290 - Snowed Under in Sandy

It's no Lazy Sunday for the Defenders, as they wake up early Sunday morning to give you all the LAFC news, notes, banter, and a recap of the blizzard that hit Sandy, Utah by the name of Andres Gomez. LAFC gets TKO'd by Salt Lake, 3-0, amid a blustery, winter storm.  First, the match was delayed 2 hours because of weather. Then, just 3 minutes in, lightning halted the festivities for nearly another hour. But upon restart, the match was essentially over at the half, as Andres Gomez's brace, C...

One More Sleep - Feeling Saucy Heading To Sandy

Preview of LAFC's upcoming trip to Sandy, Utah

Episode 289 - LAFC Makes It 7 for 7!

Season 7 is upon us, and our first match of the new year sees us staring down a familiar foe, the Seattle Sounders. Hugo Lloris is Black and Gold, Eduard Atuesta is BACK in Black and Gold, and Carlos Vela still isn't in Black and Gold. But one thing remains the same: LAFC does NOT lose season openers! The match began with another banger of a tifo by The 3252, proceeded by Giorgio Chiellini himself as the match's Honorary Falconer. Jordan Morris wasted no time in welcoming Hugo to MLS, as Ll...

ONE MORE SLEEP - OPENING DAY!

LAFC AND THE BOYS ARE BACK with the first edition of One More Sleep for Season 7. Filly, Scarf and Hello Kitty preview LAFC's season and home opener against the Seattle Sounders

Episode 288 - LAFC IN 2024 - Let's Get It Started!

The boys are back! Both LAFC and the Defenders have finally begun things in 2024.  On our maiden 2024 voyage, the boys talk three things: Preseason matches, players we've signed, and players who have left. Yes, Maxime Crepeau is gone. So is John McCarthy, Kellyn Acosta, Diego Palacios, Giorgio Chiellini, and many other depth pieces.  But, oh baby! Eduard Atuesta is back from Palmeiras, David Martinez and Tomas Angel join the attack, and Omar Campos will be playing the role of Chiqui in 202...

Episode 287 - Final Episode of 2023 MLS Season

Ultimately, 2023 did not end with the same Hollywood ending as 2022 did. There was no Gareth Bale miraculous goal, no comeback just in the nick of time, and no major championship trophy hoisted by LAFC this season. Despite chance after chance, the boys in Black and Gold fell just short yet again, losing to the Crew in the MLS Cup Final, 2-1.  Here on Episode 287, re-live all the agony and the glimmers of hope from that final, 53rd match of the season. Our boys gave it their all, but, despit...

One More Sleep - MLS Cup Final Preview

Filly and Scarf give you the final One more Sleep episode of 2023. This is the big one. The MLS Cup Final Preview. Thank you for being with us all season long. We are ALL Defenders.

Episode 286 - Ohio Bound! Back to Back Western Conference Champs!

It's Episode 286, and on this episode, LAFC finally brings home a trophy! It's not quite the one we were hoping for, but don't worry! We play for that in just 7 days! LAFC is on to the MLS Cup Final after defeating Houston in the Western Conference Final, 2-0! A near miss by Carlos Vela and a stunning cross from Hector Herrera punctuated a very entertaining first 10 minutes or so, but then LAFC's defense went to work, stifling Houston for the remainder of the first half. Just before the hal...

One More Sleep - Western Conference Final Preview

Filly, Scarf and The Dr. Jonathan Reimer preview LAFC's upcoming match against the Houston Dynamo for the right to represent the Western Conf. in the MLS Finals.

Episode 285 - LAFC Downs Seattle to Host the Western Conference Final!

The Seattle Sounders: Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Raul Ruidiaz, Nico Lodiero, Nouhou, Yeimar, Joao Paulo, and Brian Schmetzer. Lumen Field. Turf. Ted Unkel. Chris Penso. The deck was stacked with reasons why LAFC shouldn't win. Why LAFC shouldn't advance to their third Western Conference Final in our 6-year history. Why the Black and Gold faithful would be rueing another missed opportunity.  Well, somewhere along the way, nobody in Black and Gold got the memo as LAFC wins an absolute na...

One More Sleep - MLS Western Conference Semi-Final Preview.

Filly and Scarf are back after a 3 week hiatus to preview LAFC's upcoming playoff match versus the always dangerous Seattle Sounders.

Episode 284 - LAFC Vanquishes Vancouver for First Road Playoff Win

It may have taken 6 matches, but LAFC is finally done with the Vancouver portion of their 2023 schedule! LAFC dispatches Vancouver, 1-0, behind a Denis goal and another sparkling performance by Maxime Crepeau. It's on to the Western Conference Semis for the Black and Gold! In a much more tense and nervy affair than we would have wanted, LAFC struck first behind a Denis Bouanga penalty goal. Mario Gonzalez earned the PK for LAFC after being sandwiched in the box by Tristan Blackmon, and Deni...

Episode 283 - LAFC Puts 5 On It In First Playoff Match of 2023

As LAFC embarks on its title defense, it's a familiar foe, as Vancouver returns to BMO for the first match in a ridiculous best-of-three First Round series. It's playoff time, Defenders, and this is Episode 283 of Defenders of the Banc! LAFC started out hot, as Ryan Hollingshead cleaned up the mess after a beautiful set piece to give LAFC the lead 18 minutes in. Vancouver would answer after an awful turnover by Murillo, as Andres Cubas, back from injury, finds Brian White for the equalizer....

One More Sleep - MLS Cup Playoffs vs Vancouver Gm 1

Filly and The Scarf talk playoffs.

Episode 282 - Bouanga Wins the Boot; LAFC Wins More Time in Vancouver

Decision Day! One of the most fun days on the MLS calendar is here, and LAFC can finish anywhere from 2nd to 4th depending on their result. As Filly and Scarf have their eye on games featuring Houston, Seattle, and of course Carson, Denis Bouanga has his sights set on LAFC's third Golden Boot in 5 years.  LAFC started out strong, peppering Takaoka with a few shots and creating solid chances. However, after Ryan Hollingshead goes to ground early on Richie Laryea, Vancouver earns a PK. Ryan G...

One More Sleep - Decision Day In Vancouver!

Filly and Scarf preview LAFC's Decision Day visit to Vancouver, British Columbia as the Black and Gold square off against the Whitecaps. 

Episode 281 - LAFC Eliminates Austin Behind Bouanga's Brace

Just a few short matches ago, we here at Defenders of the Banc were lamenting the lack of scoring, with the number of minutes without a goal reaching into the 400's. Turn the page just one week, and LAFC seemingly can't stop scoring, with 5 in their last match and now 4 today in our win at Austin. Denis Bouanga strengthen's his grip on the Golden Boot while LAFC strengthen's its grip on the #2 spot in the West, and you can hear all about it on Episode 281! LAFC raced out to a 4-0 lead, as T...

One More Sleep - Austin FC Preview

Filly and The Scarf preview LAFC's upcoming matchup w/ Austin FC

Episode 280 - When Loons Cry!

t shouldn't have been this hard, and it shouldn't have taken this long, but finally, LAFC has punched their ticket to the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, and boy does it feel nice! On Episode 280, hear all about how the Black and Gold downed the Loons and booked their spot in the postseason.  Turns out, Denis Bouanga is good. Really good. But even Denis Bouanga would need to pat himself on the back for the history he accomplished on Wednesday, becoming the first player in LAFC history to score a hat...

One More Sleep LAFC vs Minnesota

Filly and Scarf give you the Lowdown on the Loons as LAFC prepares to take on Minnesota United.

Episode 279 - Goalless Drought Passess 400 Minutes as Chicho Sinks LAFC

In the span of 402 minutes, you could drive to Phoenix, Arizona and take an hour nap, or you could watch all three of the original Star Wars movies and have 15 minutes to make popcorn. For LAFC, what they can't do in that timeframe is score goals. LAFC falls, 1-0, to RSL, behind a (of course it was) Chicho Arango header.  On this episode, we breakdown the frustration of being held without a goal for the last 4 games while also trying to keep it relatively light. There's plenty of season lef...

One More Sleep - RSL (Again) Preview

Filly and Scarf talk to the millions..... about RSL once again.

Episode 278 - Three Chances. No Cup. Tigres Wins Campeones Cup on Penalties

The season started with such optimism: Trophies to play for, history to make, and records to break. Yet here we sit, nearing the end of September and the end of trophy-winning opportunities, and we have absolutely nothing to show for it. In what has been a frustratingly familiar refrain in 2023, LAFC loses to another Liga MX club with a trophy on the line. This time, it's the Campeones Cup at the hands of Tigres, and in the worst way possible: on penalties.  LAFC was pummeled out of the gat...

Getting To Know Tigres

LAFC takes on Tigres in the Campeones Cup, a one-off match pitting last year's MLS Cup winner against last year's Campeon de Campeones in Liga MX. We know all about Andre-Pierre Gignac and Nahuel Guzman, but who else is going to be a factor on Tigres? What are the matchups to watch? And how do the Defenders think LAFC will fare in yet another chance to hoist hardware in 2023? Check out this very special Getting to Know Tigres: Campeones Cup Edition podcast!

Episode 277 - The Draw In Chester

LAFC finds themselves drenched in rains of Ophelia as they squared off against the Philadelphia Union in their fortress at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. A hard fought stalemate secures LAFC another point on the road which has been a challenge all season.  Follow Filly as he takes you along his quick and to the point recap of this match. 

One More Sleep Filly's Philly Preview

Step right up and you'll hear a preview of LAFC's upcoming match vs the Union of Philly from our very own Filly!

Episode 276 - 0 Goals, 1 Point in St. Louis

LAFC traveled to St. Louis for the very first time in club history, poised for a showdown against current West #1 St. Louis City SC. While Scarf (and Apple TV) hoped for a high-scoring affair, it turned out to be a defensive struggle in the Show Me State. It's a pod about a 0-0 game! Woo! Tested early, Maxime Crepeau made four big saves to preserve the shutout. Several LAFC players had solid chances, but the highlight of the night was the bicycle kick by Giorgio Chiellini that wasn't just o...

One More Sleep - STL Preview

Filly and Scarf preview LAFC’s upcoming match w/ Western Conference Leaders, St Louis. 

Episode 275 - Bouanga & Crepeau Double Up Galaxy & Penso, 4-2

The LA Derby never disappoints. Sure, the result might not always fall in our favor, but the excitement, the buildup, the anticipation, and the energy of the matchup with Carson is usually exceeded only by the football played on the pitch. It's very safe to say that, for Episode 275, this version of the derby definitely didn't disappoint.  LAFC took the lead twice, first on a Bouanga banger from Chiqui, and then after Ryan Hollingshead poached a pass for Denis and turned it into a goal of h...

One More Sleep - LAG Preview (for the 4th time)

Filly and Scarf preview LAFC's upcoming home match vs their bitter rivals, LA Galaxy

Episode 274 - Portland Puts LAFC in the Woodchipper

It wasn't supposed to go like this. A loss to Charlotte on the heels of Messi coming to town? Messi Magic overwhelming LAFC at home? Portland punishing LAFC at Providence Park? No, no, and NO. Here on Episode 274, we try to figure out what's rotten in the state of the Black and Gold as LAFC falls in Portland, 2-0.  Yes, LAFC came into the match without five players due to international duty, including talisman Denis Bouanga and the sizzling Cristian Olivera. And yes, LAFC was down their mos...

Episode 273 - Mistakes and Messi Magic Mean More Misery

The stage was set for a good ol'-fashioned Hollywood showdown: Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Martino against Vela, Bouanga, and the chorus of the Black and Gold Faithful. Which set of star power would show up on Apple TV's biggest night since Messi's debut? It wasn't LAFC. Jordi Alba opened his Inter Miami account, Lionel Messi dished out two assists, and his bodyguard made perhaps the biggest save of the night. A goal by Ryan Hollingshead was simply far too little, far too late.  Also on thi...

One More Sleep - Inter Miami Preview!

For the 1st time OMS is available via your favorite podcast platforms because this game is important. As per usual, Filly and The Scarf preview LAFC's upcoming match vs Inter Miami.

Episode 272 - A Pauper's Effort in the Queen City

It's Episode 272 of Defenders of the Banc, now heard in Fiji! You know what they don't have much of in Fiji? TURF! LAFC falls to yet another inferior club on turf, this time in Charlotte. Listen as we recap and rant about the road loss.  LAFC played a dismal first half, falling behind 1-0 after a series of turnovers and not doing a whole lot on the offensive end. When was the last time you heard of an LAFC club completing 90 passes in a half? Just after the hour mark, Dolo would make his f...

Episode 271 - Even The New Guy Scores Against Colorado!

Finally... MLS has come back... to BMO Stadium! It had been quite a while since LAFC had played an MLS regular season match at BMO, and boy did it feel good to be back! Olly's flying, Carlos is scoring, smoke is popping in the North End... the good times are back! LAFC hammers Colorado 4-0.  Though it may have been a somber day in LA as we remember Kobe Bryant on his birthday, LAFC did all they could to raise the spirits of Angelinos with their performance. It was a barrage early, as Matty ...

Episode 270 - LAFC Spills League Cup With Awful Second Half

This was not how it was supposed to go. A match at the Rose Bowl? Blowing a 2-goal lead with less than 25 minutes to go? No Vela AND no Chiqui? However you slice it, it's an unceremonious exit for LAFC as they fall to Monterrey, 3-2.  LAFC raced out to a 2-goal lead behind the skillful PK of Denis Bouanga and the banger of a golazo by Mati Boguesz. But the entire second half belonged to Monterrey, as they roared back with 2 goals of their own and a little help from Sergi Palencia en route t...