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Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (99) Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

How LAFC's transition play could win the MLS Cup

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated 12/5/23

When LAFC first rose to prominence under Bob Bradley in the late 2010s, the team was known for its aggressive attacking play. LAFC would run harder than anyone in service of scoring more goals than anyone. It was a risky and high-octane philosophy that wound up being as enjoyable as it was successful.

Things are different these days at LAFC under coach Steve Cherundolo. The team still values its attack — striker Denis Bouanga is the top scorer in MLS this season — but its true strength lies in how quickly it can perform in moments of transition.

Under Bradley, LAFC would chase the ball down relentlessly, refusing to give its opponents any breathing room. Under Cherundolo, LAFC is happy to concede possession. It lets its opponent tire itself out with the ball, waiting for that one mistake — that one perfect moment — to seize it back and strike.

Take LAFC's Western Conference Final matchup against Houston as an example. Houston dominated possession, holding the ball for 71% of the game and completing twice as many passes as LAFC...but LAFC won the game 2-0, thanks to quick, clever plays in the moments when it won the ball back.

Dénis Bouanga and Chiqui Palacios combine to earn an own goal by Houston.#LAFCvHOU 2-0 pic.twitter.com/unHm1441zr
— LAFC (@LAFC) December 3, 2023

"They wanted the ball," LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead said of Houston after the match. "They like to play this little tiki-taka in the middle of the field...but they're going nowhere. And so we just said, do whatever you want, have the ball as long as you want.

"They [Houston] created zero dangerous changes. And so a lot of these teams, it's like, yeah, they've got possession, they may be moving the ball. But if they're not creating dangerous chances, who cares?"

Do-It-All Defender @rmhollingshead #LAFCvHOU 1-0 pic.twitter.com/Ho1ak7jJjN
— LAFC (@LAFC) December 3, 2023

The key tactical question of the MLS Cup Final is how Columbus will handle LAFC's transitions. Coach Wilfried Nancy has set Columbus up to be a fluid, possession-based team in nearly all circumstances; his team will be thrilled to have the ball for as long as LAFC gives it to them. But can Columbus defend against goalscoring machines like Bouanga when it makes mistakes? Especially when it has one of the worst set-piece defense records in the league?

LAFC's Hollingshead believes the answer is no. He's not concerned about Columbus's aesthetically pleasing tactics — not when a championship trophy is on the line.

"I think there's a little bit of a draw in the regular season where you want your football to look good, and you want it to be a certain style," Hollingshead admitted.

"But there's also in the playoffs a difference of, we've got to win games. It's just about winning and advancing. And I think we [LAFC] know what it takes to win these games."

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