It's as if the offseason never happened.
The 3252 was rocking, MVP Carlos Vela was scoring an unbelievable bender and LAFC was posting a shutout win at a sold-out Banc of California Stadium. All this for the first preseason match of 2020.
Despite missing several starters on international duty, LAFC beat Uruguayan giants Penarol 2-0 and sent a message to the rest of the league that the reigning Supporters' Shield holders are on a mission in 2020.
- READ: 3 takeaways from LAFC's win
- WATCH: Bob Bradley's postgame presser
- REACTION: Adrien Perez talks to media postgame
Five academy players, three trialists (draft picks Younes Boudadi, Jorge Gonzalez and Jack Hallahan) and three guest players from Phoenix Rising (Kevon Lambert, Junior Flemmings, Jordan Schweitzer) saw action in the match, but the highlight came off the left foot of Carlos Vela who scored another magical curler into the far corner to open the scoring for LAFC:
Adrien Perez scored LAFC's second of the night, new goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer made a key stop on a Penarol free kick and the supporters in the 3252 did the rest in providing a backdrop that few would expect during preseason.
Credit to the fans in the 3252, who had actor, writer and producer Keegan-Michael Key calling this preseason match "the best sporting event I've ever been in the city of Los Angeles and I've lived here for a long time. This is unbelievable. It's what football should be."
Goals:
- LAFC - Carlos Vela - 10'
- LAFC - Adrien Perez - 40'
Lineups:
LAFC 1st Half (4-3-3, left to right): Kenneth Vermeer -- Diego Palacios, Tristan Blackmon, Dejan Jakovic, Latif Blessing -- Joshua Perez, Kevon Lambert, Alejandro Guido (32' Erik Duenas) -- Brian Rodriguez (32' Christian Torres), Adrien Perez, Carlos Vela
LAFC 2nd Half (4-3-3, left to right): Pablo Sisniega -- Mohamed El-Munir, Jordan Harvey, Tony Leone (68' Diego Rosales), Erik Duenas (62' Younes Boudadi) -- Jordan Schweitzer, Bryce Duke, Jorge Gonzalez -- Christian Torres (62' Junior Flemmings, 83' Armando Avila), Adama Diomande, Jack Hallahan
