Defenders of the Banc - An LAFC Podcast

It's Episode 363, and LAFC has just won the most important match in club history! LAFC slays LIGA MX giant Club America, 2-1, after 120'!The atmosphere was unlike any other in the history of BMO Stadium, as Club America brought incredible support and a high-powered roster into Los Angeles for the winner-take-all showdown. After a tense, scoreless first half, Las Aquilas would get on the board first, with a little help from VAR. A soft penalty was awarded, which, of all people, Brian Rodriguez buries to put the visitors on top. Just before the 90', a perfect corner from Denis Bouanga finds the well-placed head of Igor Jesus, and we are level! What a time for Igor to score his first goal, and we are headed to Extra Time. In the second 15' half, Denis Bouanga pays off wonderful buildup from Olivier Giroud and Frankie Amaya, as his shot deflects off a defender's leg and in for the winner! LAFC is headed to the Club World Cup!Also on this episode, we take a peek at our opponents, Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis. Scarf loses his voice, Filly gets it right, Maxime Chanot is amazing without playing a minute, and apologies all around to Olivier Giroud! 

LAFC gets ready to battle Club America for a shot at 9.5 million dollars and a trip to its 1st ever FIFA Club World Cup, where they would be in a group w/ clubs like Flamengo, ES Tunis and Chelsea. Lots to think about, but Filly and The Scarf do all the prep work to get you ready. 

It's Episode 362, the second game recap episode in a row where we discuss a disappointing 2-2 draw to a Wooden Spoon contender. Our location shifts to Quebec, where LAFC was only able to take a point from lowly CF Montreal. Montreal, the club that had scored just 8 goals all season, raced out to a 2-0 lead after 22', thanks to Prince Owusu's penalty and a couple of lucky bounces. LAFC would respond right before the half through Mark Delgado as the half would end 2-1.The subs made all the difference for LAFC. Ryan Hollingshead improved the offense, Cengiz Ünder brought a calm on the ball, and Olivier Giroud delivered the tying goal, making the run and putting away a deflection. Not the story we wanted in Montreal, but LAFC's takes a point. Next up is Club America, and a spot in the Club World Cup. But until then, enjoy 362!   

LAFC heads into Quebec to take on CF Montreal, the worst team in the East. Will it be three easy points for the Black and Gold, or will a wooden spoon contender give them trouble two weeks in a row?

Filly and Scarf are back together for the full episode, Episode 361, dedicated to the disappointment that was the 25th edition of the Los Angeles Derby. The boys recap the 2-2 draw in Carson that felt much more like a loss, discuss the Mark Delgado ring fiasco, debate hugging your rival after a match, and much more! Enjoy 361!

LAFC heads down to Carson to take on the winless Galaxy. Filly and Scarf are back together, so check this one out to hear their Players To Watch, Keys to the Match, and Score Prediction!

LAFC gets its most convincing win of the season against their rivals from the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Sounders. With Scarf still in Georgia, Filly and Laff give you the breakdown while also taking some liberties and having some fun. 

Filly and the 12th member of DOTB, Chris Lafferty give you all the info you need before LAFC's 13th game of the MLS Regular Season and 25th meeting against Seattle in all competitions. 

This might be the first episode of Defenders all season that we've had a solo Filly. With Scarf on a class trip and Lafferty at work the platinum haired flamingo rejoins DOTB. Getting right down to business, this is a quick recap of the Whitecaps game as there will be 2 pods and 2 One More Sleeps this week. Hopefully the troubles with the Rodecaster also come to an end for the next pod. So, the big news is that FILLY IS BACK FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON, and we couldn't be any happier. Oh and LAFC dropped points at BC Place!

LAFC travels up to Vancouver to take on the first-place Whitecaps! It's a Mother's Day Matinee!

It's Episode 358, and it's a get-right match for LAFC. Both number 9's, Nathan Ordaz and Jeremy Ebobisse, scored for LAFC while the defense stifles Houston, allowing 0 shots on target. Also on this episode, we welcome back Erik Duenas, Franco Escobar proves he's still one of our own, Olly takes a tour of Field Club, and Lafferty hates Star Wars! Enjoy Episode 358!

LAFC next takes the pitch at home, ready to welcome the Houston Dynamo! Yes, the same Dynamo who beat LAFC last month, 1-0, and now with a new winger, Ondrej Lingr, in the fold. Listen to our Score Predictions, Keys to the Match, and Players to Watch here!

It was supposed to be a bit easier than it was, but LAFC battled back from 2-1 down late to steal a point at home against St. Louis. It's Episode 357, and if not for Saint Denis, LAFC would be in a world of trouble. Twice down in the match, LAFC needed a dime from Ünder to get Denis his first, and then a bomb from Lloris to put Denis in position for his brace. The rest of the attack? If not for solid set pieces and corners by Denis, there wouldn't be much to talk about. The load is heavy, but, for now, Denis remains up to the task. Also on this episode, it's a late and brief return for Filly! Yay! Frankie Amaya makes his debut, LAFC celebrates the kids, and Ante Razov keeps in real in the presser. Enjoy 357!

St. Louis City SC heads to BMO looking to not only get their first win against the Black and Gold, but to score their first goal in what will be 5 tries! A special thanks to Matt and everyone at Flyover Footy, the STL City SC podcast of record, who provided us with some great additional content for this episode!

LAFC and Portland play to a 3-3 draw in a match that was just as frenetic and unpredictable as the entire week was for LAFC. Amid the backdrop of 'Dolo's announcement, LAFC responds on the road for a point.LAFC saw themselves down, 2-0, after just over 40'. Backs to the wall, LAFC stepped up for the first time in 2025, rallying to level the match twice to earn the point. Denis Bouanga was a man on fire, scoring the eventual leveler off a PK, having two called back for offside, and a couple of other great opportunities stifled by James Pantemis. Also on this episode, Olivier Giroud produces a BANGER of a goal to open his MLS account, Lafferty tags in and then back out, and Scarf is still not "slim fit." Enjoy 365, and Happy Easter and Passover everyone!

LAFC heads up to the PNW to take on Phil Neville's Timbers. 

Scarf hops on for an impromptu chat about the massive news of the day: Head coach Steve Cherundolo will STEP DOWN after the 2025 season to head back to Germany.

Here on Episode 355, two streaks come to an end as, hopefully, one starts. It's a solo Scarf endeavor here on Defenders of the Banc, as he breaks down LAFC's 2-1 victory over the Earthquakes. A scoreless but entertaining first half gave way to fireworks in the second, with LAFC getting on the board just past the hour mark. The rebound from Denis Bouanga's shot found the foot of Sergi Palencia, who teed one up perfectly from the top of the box to score his first goal in 2,888 days! That's even before Defenders of the Banc started! Yikes!About 20 minutes later, Denis Bouanga would end a streak of his own, getting his first MLS regular season goal since last October, giving LAFC a 2-0 lead, and it's a good thing he did! Cristian Espinoza went ahead and did Cristian Espinoza things for SJ, scoring in stoppage to give SJ life, but LAFC saw out the final minutes without issue for the 2-1 win.Also on this episode, we compliment Olivier Giroud's effort, several times, while hoping that all goes well with Maxime Chanot. It's a relatively quick one, and definitely a fun one here on Episode 355. Enjoy!

LAFC gets set for a bit of a respite, with just 5 matches in their next 30 days, beginning with a home match against the Earthquakes. Scarf and Laff break down the Players to Watch, explore their Keys to the Match, and look into their crystal balls (giggity) for their Score Predictions!

It's Episode 354, and it's a collapse of epic proportions, as LAFC goes to Miami, takes a 2-0 aggregate lead WITH the tiebreaker, only to squander it all away, losing 3-1 to Messi and Inter Miami and crashing out of the 2025 CCC. Ugh.Things looked great for the Black and Gold early, as captain Aaron Long reported for duty, scoring a chaotic 9' goal to give the boys an early lead, and the tiebreaker. That's about where the good news ends. Miami scores three unanswered, including two from Lionel Messi. Denis Bouanga missed or squandered a series of great chances, including one in second-half stoppage, and that proved to be the undoing for LAFC in the CCC. SEVEN, yes, seven big chances missed for LAFC. Miami wins the match, 3-1, and wins the aggregate, 3-2, to advance to the semis. Also on this match, Scarf is back from Costa Rica, Filly suffers no fools lightly when it comes to Dolo out, and Laff harkens back to his LAFC debut as part of This Date In LAFC History. Enjoy 354!

Filly and Lafferty preview LAFC's upcoming fixture in the CCC QF, while also battling trolls in the chat. 

Solo Filly episode tonight as Lafferty and The Scarf attended LAFC 2's US Open cup game against AV Alta FC. 

LAFC headed down to San Diego for the first time, set to take on San Diego FC in Matchday 6 of the 2025 MLS season. A disaster start was only compounded by a fatal mistake after halftime, and the boys lost 3-2. Spotting a club a 3-0 lead is never something you want to do, but it's exactly what LAFC did in just 40' in San Diego. Anders Dreyer's passing, Christopher McVey's defense (and head), and a huge flub by Hugo Lloris saw the home side race out to the 3-goal lead. LAFC clawed two back before halftime, including a brilliant strike from Artem Smoliakov, but a second yellow to Igor Jesus killed the momentum. LAFC loses to an expansion club in our first meeting for the first time, Nathan Ordaz looks great in limited action, Scarf rants about resigning Kei Kamara, and Chris Lafferty finds a new favorite player! All that and more can be yours on Episode 351! Enjoy!

LAFC heads down the freeway to take on San Diego for the very first time! Who are the players to watch? What will the score be? Take a listen and find out!

LAFC traveled to Children's Mercy Park and showed no mercy to Sporting, taking out the home side, 2-0. Goals from David Martinez and Aaron Long, excellent defending, and two big saves by Hugo Lloris punctuated the win. Also on Episode 350, Odin Holm and Adrian Wibowo make their LAFC debuts, LAFF needs to be reminded it's an LA podcast, and apparently, Scarf was a member of the Open Cup broadcast team for LAFC2's win over FC Arizona. Enjoy 350, and here's to 350 more!

After playing 8 matches in 26 days, LAFC gets a much needed week of training before heading to Kansas City to take on Sporting, and their new striker Dejan Joveljic! Join Scarf as he breaks down the Players to Watch, Keys to the Match, and his Score Prediction!

LAFC2, not LAFC, begin the defense of our 2024 USOC title with a First Round match against NPSL-side FC Arizona! Get all the details on LAFC2 and as many details as Scarf could find about FC Arizona!

LAFC headed back to the friendly confines of BMO Stadium to welcome our former captain, Ilie Sanchez, and his Austin FC teammates for an MLS regular season match. Ilie may have come back, but the goals went missing, as LAFC fell to the visitors, 1-0. Cengiz Ünder got his first start in an LAFC shirt, looking dynamic over his hour-plus on the pitch. But LAFC's Achilles heel continues to be the final ball, as they could muster just one shot on target after halftime despite owning the ball for more than 65% of the match. A soft-ish goal off an Austin corner turned out to be our undoing, and LAFC loses for the first time at home in MLS this season. Also on this solo Scarf endeavor, Pogba, Pochettino, and Cifu, oh my! The stars were out at BMO on Saturday. Enjoy Episode 349! 

LAFC heads back to the friendly confines of BMO Stadium just in time to welcome Austin FC, their three new designated players, and Ilie Sanchez!

It's Episode 348, and it's a roller coaster! LAFC gets dominated for the better part of 90', only to have our new DP, Cengiz Ünder, come off the bench on his debut, streak through the middle of the pitch to intercept an errant Crew pass, and find Denis Bouanga at the death to put the nail in the Crew's CCC coffin. Sure, LAFC lost, 2-1, but there is momentum to be had!Also on this episode, Laff tells a story (it may still be going on), Scarf thinks he's clever, and Filly... ugh... Filly was right. About what, you ask? Tune in to 348 to find out!

LAFC heads to Columbus to take on the Crew, up 3-0 on aggregate, for Leg 2 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16! Filly and Scarf give you their score predictions, players to watch, and all the other fun you're used to on One More Sleep!

LAFC headed up to Seattle to take on their rivals, the Seattle Sounders, amid roster rotation and a CCC match in Columbus just 3 days later. A solid first half gave way to the dam breaking in the second, and a heavily rotated LAFC squad took a beating, 5-2. On the bright side, Nathan Ordaz and David Martinez kept up their game of "whatever you can do, I can do better". On the not-so-bright side, Marlon suffered a pulled hammy while Olivier Giroud remained ineffective. It's all here on 347, so join Filly and Scarf in the recap, and then forget all about it!

LAFC heads up to the PNW to take on our rivals, the Seattle Sounders. Ünder made the trip but won't play, Olivier made the trip and likely will. Can LAFC keep the shutout streak going?

Columbus Crew. Just the name of the club struck fear into the hearts of LAFC supporters over the last year and a half. Three straight losses to the Black and Yellow, including a 5-1 drubbing at BMO, and it was easy to see why Filly and Scarf approached this match with a bit of trepidation. But this is 2025, and this is a new kind of Black and Gold club, one that suffocates you with defense while Denis Bouanga carves you up from the left. Here on Episode 346, listen as Scarf, Lafferty, and even Filly break down the somewhat surprising beatdown LAFC gave Columbus, 3-0. Also on this episode, we revisit the LAFC days of Diego Rossi, spawn the unlikely mashup of Andre the Giant and Andre Horta, and wish Mama Bufanda the happiest of birthdays!

LAFC takes on their recent nemesis, the Columbus Crew, in the CCC Round of 16. The first leg is at BMO! Who are the Players to Watch? What are the Keys to the Match? And what does Scarf think the scoreline will be? Take a listen!

Episode 345 delves into LAFC's first win over NYCFC, 1-0, at BMO Stadium. The contest nearly ended in a scoreless draw, but Ryan Hollingshead's 86th-minute opportunistic strike put the home side on the right side of things. LAFC started in a different formation, 3-4-3, than they had lined up in this season. After a lackluster first 60', Steve pulled the plug and made the moves to get back into a 4-3-3, which really opened things up for the Black and Gold. Still, NYCFC's defense was up to the challenge. All it took, however, was one disastrous touch by defender Birk Risa, pounced on by Ryan Hollingshead, and the damage was done. LAFC wins 1-0. Also on this episode, Apple needs to learn how to spell, Olivier makes an impact again without touching the ball in the box, Artem makes his debut, and Lafferty is in a park. Enjoy 345!

LAFC gets set to take on NYCFC, a club they haven't seen in an MLS match since 2021. Will LAFC defeat the Pigeons for the first time? Will Denis Bouanga get going? Check in on Filly and Scarf to hear their thoughts ahead of tomorrow's match. 

Here on Episode 344, LAFC advances to face Columbus Crew in the CCC, and you'd think that would be the headline. However, controversy shrouds the win, as Sergi Palencia is alleged to have used hate speech towards Colorado defender Chidozie Awaziem towards the end of the game, prompting an investigation from CONCACAF. Also on this episode, an LAFC player debuts in the 18, two of our favorite nicknames resurface, and Mo gets a mural at BMO! Enjoy 344!

The Colorado Rapids come to BMO Stadium holding a 2-1 aggregate lead for our First Round matchup in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Will LAFC continue to dominate the Rapids at home? Find out who Scarf's Players to Watch are, his Keys to the Match, and how badly he thinks the Black and Gold will beat Colorado!

It's Episode 3-4-3, and LAFC keeps the streak alive! 8 season openers, 8 wins, this one coming at the expense of the Loons, as LAFC defeated Minnesota United, 1-0. Jeremy Ebobisse nets the winner on Denis Bouanga's bobblehead match!Also on this episode, Cinnamon Toast Crunch joins the Black and Gold, we profile Kenny Nielsen, and Filly 3:16 crashes through the episode! Enjoy 343!

LAFC kicks off MLS Season 8 at BMO with the first match of the year on the MLS calendar! The Loons fly in from Minnesota with real expectations for the 2025 season, and it's up to LAFC to quiet the noise. It's Denis Bobblehead Night at BMO!

It's Episode 342 and Lafferty's back for more as he and Scarf break down the 2-1 loss to Colorado on the road in the first leg of the First Round of the CCC. It's not all doom and gloom, however, as a late header by captain Aaron Long gave LAFC plenty of life as the boys thaw out and head back to BMO for two matches in four days!Djordje Mihailovic was clearly the player of the match (and Scarf's Player To Watch on One More Sleep), as his brace helped the Rapids take a commanding 2-0 lead. But with just minutes until the final whistle, Denis Bouanga's cross found a flat-footed Long. His header kissed the inside of the post before finding the back of the net. The goal from long changes all the math (find out how on this episode!) as LAFC looks to advance out of the First Round of the CCC. Also on 342, we discuss our new fullback, Artem Smolyakov, a potential Turkish signing and the baggage he comes with, and we wish a happy birthday to our very own head man, Steve Cherundolo. Enjoy!

LAFC kicks off Season 8, The Ocho, in Commerce City, Colorado as they take on the Rapids in the first leg of the First Round! Hear the Players to Watch, Keys to the Match, and Score Predictions straight from Scarf and Lafferty! And don't worry, Filly will be back soon!

LAFC kicks off Season 8, The Ocho, in style, debuting our gleaming new road whites at... home... against Liga MX giant Club America during an international friendly. Filly and Scarf delve into all the details and more here on Episode 341!It was a raucous and slightly Las Aguilas-partisan crowd at BMO as LAFC's public preseason came to a close on Tuesday. A rather drab first half gave way to an exciting second 45', as LAFC scored twice within the first 15 minutes. Denis Bouanga's non-stop pressure led to goal number one, and Olivier Giroud leaving the ball alone led to goal number two! La Monumental had something to cheer for just minutes later, as Igor Jesus's Carmelo Anthony impression allowed the lead to be cut in half, but LAFC saw out the remaining half hour and took the friendly, 2-1. Nathan Ordaz, Nkosi Tafari, and some excellent backline defending were the stars of the night. Also on this episode, the boys give you their thoughts on the new kit, the Kike Olivera saga, and what the heck happened to Scarf's face! It's Season 8!  

Welcome to our first episode of 2025, a solo Scarf endeavor entailing everything that's happened (so far) and everything that hasn't happened (yet) in January. The preseason is underway and we are here for it!Odin Thiago Holm, Igor Jesus, Nkosi Tafari, Erik Duenas, Omar Campos, Mark Delgado, Todd Saldaña, Yaw Yeboah, Mateusz Bogusz, Cristian Olivera, Carlos Vela, and more are discussed here on 340, as well as our preseason schedule, which includes everything from a Canadian Premier League club to Club America!Join Scarf for this fun breakdown of everything so far in 2025, and we'll be back soon for 341!

And just like that, 2024 comes to a close with... wait, what?! Jesus Murillo gone? Ilie Sanchez gone? Kei Kamara gone? Strange things are definitely afoot in the land of Black and Gold. Here on Episode 339, Filly and Scarf take a look at all the happenings since the end of the season: every transaction, every award, every schedule update, and even a rumor or two are covered in this episode. Aaron Long is back! Jude Terry is one of our own! But man-oh-man is it going to be hard to replace the veteran presence, the leadership, the class, and the quality of Ilie, Kei, and Muri. Sit down, put your feet up, and close out your 2024, or start your 2025, with your favorite LAFC-podcasting duo, and enjoy Episode 339!

It's Episode 338. Somewhat surprisingly and certainly prematurely, this will be the last episode that contains an LAFC game recap in 2024, as the Black and Gold fall to the Rave Green, 2-1, at BMO in the Western Conference Semifinals. It was a heartbreaking loss, especially because LAFC had played well enough to win and created enough chances to score. The soccer gods, however, are a fickle bunch, and, in this year's playoffs, aging goalkeepers seem to have curried their favor. Stefan Frei stood on his head, making three incredible saves on would-be sure goals, Maxime Chanot found the back of our net, and Jordan Morris found one late to eliminate LAFC. Yes, questions abound. And yes, we ask many of them here on 338. However, this isn't a full post-mortem, as that will come later in the offseason. This episode truly was a venting session, a stage in the grieving process. You want Dolo out? Pissed at JT and the FO? Do you feel the same way Scarf does about Olivier Giroud? All of that was fair game on this one, as this can be your safe space, too. Like we said, we will attempt to ask and answer many of the larger questions at a later date this year. Also on this episode, Filly talks like a parrot, Scarf answers the door, and we search for Carlos Vela. This isn't goodbye for 2024 yet, but it's at least goodbye for Episode 338!

Its been a few weeks but finally the MLS Cup Playoffs resume and so do the One More Sleeps.

NO MORE VANCOUVER!

LAFC takes on Vancouver. Now tell us, when was the last time you heard that?

It's Episode 336, and, yes, for the 11th time in two seasons, it's about Vancouver. This one, however, stung, as LAFC put up their worst performance on the road in quite some time in a 3-0 loss to Vancouver in the second match of the best-of-three First Round Playoff affair. In a goal eerily resembling the stoppage-timer from last match, Ryan Gauld got the home side off to a dream start just 10 minutes in. Three minutes later, the Ryan-to-Ryan connection was made for the first time this season, as Ryn Gauld found a streaking... Ryan Hollingshead... with a deft cross, and the home side was up 2-0. Though LAFC put up a solid effort for the first 20 minutes of the second half, the nail was provided by one of our own, as Eddie Segura put away another beautiful ball by Ryan Gauld to make it 3-0. Yikes. Also on this episode... not much else. Yes, we talk about the first IG post in LAFC history, and Mario expecting a baby boy, but at the end of the day... it's the Whitecaps. Again. But don't worry, the boys will be ready to do it one more time in 2024, as LAFC takes on Vancouver on Friday to settle the series, with the season on the line. Enjoy!