Friday, February 1, 2019

LAFC coach Bob Bradley sees ‘a lot of positives’ in exhibition victory over Japan’s Vissel Kobe

Posted by Irvine Sign Company

Posted by Irvine Business Sign Company

LOS ANGELES — An hour prior to Los Angeles Football Club’s preseason opener at Banc of California Stadium, the club introduced its newest attacker, 30-year-old Salvadoran Rodolfo “Fito” Zalaya.

After speaking with the press, Zalaya joined several of his teammates in the stands – Steven Beitashour, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Mohamed El-Munir and Danilo Silva – as LAFC reignited its relationship with the city during a 4-1 win in an international friendly against Japan’s Vissel Kobe.

It didn’t take more than one half of soccer for “Fito” to understand how integral Mexican star Carlos Vela has been for LAFC.

The 29-year-old team captain opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with the kind of left-footed bender that marked highlight reels last season.

Eleven minutes later Vela beat a defender off the dribble and snapped a low shot that bounced into the net off Kobe goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa’s hand.

Sign up for Home Turf and get exclusive stories every SoCal sports fan must read, sent daily. Subscribe here.

As recently as last week, during the just-closed European transfer window, Vela had been linked to FC Barcelona.

Vela’s departure would have created a significant offensive gap for Zalaya and LAFC’s other attackers to fill. Instead, with Vela continuing his tenure in L.A., Zalaya’s addition, and the return of double-digit scorers Diego Rossi and Adama Diomande, a squad that netted 68 goals in its first season appears locked and loaded ahead of opening day against Sporting Kansas City on March 3.

Thursday’s friendly against a J-League side embarking on its first tour of the U.S. and boasting World Cup winners Andres Iniesta and David Villa of Spain and Lukas Podolski of Germany offered an opportunity for LAFC players attempting to secure a roster spot or more playing time to impress against three famous players.

“A lot of good things. A lot of positives,” LAFC coach Bob Bradley said. “For this point in preseason, I reminded all of them that the foundation we built last year puts us in a good place, but obviously continued work has to stay there.”

LAFC added second-half goals from Dejan Jakovic, on a glancing header off an assist from the club’s first draft pick of 2019, Jamaican Peter Lee Vassell, and a strong move inside the box by Kevin Mendoza.

Kobe avoided a shutout with a goal by defender Ryo Hatsuse in the 81st minute.

“From what I saw today they have a great stadium and a great fan base,” Iniesta said. “So I think LAFC will keep growing.”

Angling to help the cause in 2019, Fito joined LAFC via transfer from Alianza FC, winner of the last four league titles in El Salvador’s first division.

During his four years with Alianza, Zalaya scored 82 goals in 178 matches. The forward has also earned 44 caps, including 36 starts, for his country.

“There has been a number of players from my country that have performed well in MLS,” Zalaya said. “In the end, I want to create my own history and do well professionally and personally.”

Zalaya, a green card holder, will reunite with several family members in L.A., including his mother, and provides the city’s Salvadoran population a player to cheer for.

“Our promise as a club is to unite the city,” said LAFC EVP of soccer operations and general manager John Thorrington. “One of the most amazing things about L.A. is it’s like a mosaic. Our promise to our community and city, from our academy to the first team, is to represent the city. Not just one part of the city but the whole city and Fito is just another example of that.”


[Read More ...]

Posted by Irvine Sign Maker

For Free Sign Estimate Visit: Lighted Channel Letters Irvine ca

Posted by https://goo.gl/TXzGV5
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)