4:2 LAFC New York Harvey Blessing Vela Segura Casseres White 08.11.19 · League

For a while, it seemed like Metro will be alright. A frantic end to the first half that saw the powerful LAFC lose a two-goal lead after avigrous Metro rally... alas, it was not to be. Metro ran out of steam, ending at the wrong side of the 4:2 scoreline.

Chris Armas made only one change from this week, starting Cristian Casseres for the loaned out Derrick Etienne. Metro started out frisky, pressing like they had at the best of times, and distrupting any flow from the powerful hosts. Then, in the 23rd, disaster struck, as Jordan Harvey rose above Metro defenders and headed in a free kick. And two minutes later, LAFC's lead was doubled, when Latif Blessing got at the end of a low cross that got past Luis Robles.

But Metro did not let on, and continued the press. It paid off in the 42nd, when Alejandro Romero Gamarra pounced on a turnover, then found Cristian Casseres. The Venezuelan's shot from outside the box bounced past Tyler Miller. Three minutes later, Royer centered to Brian White, who crashed the shot off the post, off Miller, and into the net.

Minutes into the second half, it looked like LAFC took the lead after a shot was deflected off Kemar Lawrence. VAR took the goal back, as a missed foul preceded the shot. Unfortunately, there was no need for VAR in the 61t, when Rece Buckmaster clearly took down a player in the box. Carlos Vela converted from the spot. Nine minutes later, on free kick almost identical to the one that opened the scoring, Eddie Segura restored the host's two-goal lead.

From that point on, Metro had no more energy or ideas. It could have been worse, as, after an LAFC breakaway, Tim Parker cleared the ball of the line. At the end, the better team won... this is what happens when you have a smart coach and a dedicated owner.

Lineup: Robles, Lawrence, Long, Parker, Buckmaster, Davis, Casseres, Rzatkowski, Royer, Romero Gamarra, White. Subs: Muyl, Wright-Phillips, Barlow.