Winning teams work best when they focus on what’s directly in front of them, but it doesn’t always happen that way.
With the biggest match in Los Angeles Football Club history a week away, fullback Ryan Hollingshead finds himself “constantly” thinking about the May 31 play-in qualifier at BMO Stadium against Club América for the final spot in the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup field.
“You’re thinking about what we need to do to set ourselves up for this match,” Hollingshead explained. “Obviously it’s a huge opportunity. It’s what we play for as players. So there’s no way of getting around that other match.”
With that in mind, LAFC (6-4-4, 22 points) visits Eastern Conference caboose CF Montréal (1-9-4, 7 points) on Saturday at a time when keeping an eye on what’s around the bend seems prudent.
“Our goal in Montréal is to play at such a level that it sets us up well for our rhythm going into Club América, which means going and getting three points,” Hollingshead said. “The guys will be ready to do that.”
Unbeaten in seven matches after a 2-2 road draw against the struggling Galaxy last weekend, the schedule has lined up LAFC against the two worst teams in MLS – a combined 11 out of a possible 84 points – prior to the clash with América, which is in no position to look ahead as it battles Toluca over the Liga MX two-leg Clausura championship final.
Following a scoreless draw in Mexico City on Thursday, América will conclude its Liga MX campaign on Sunday. By that point, the LAFC coaching staff should be finished preparing for the $10 million play-in match.
“Going into Club América and having a good result here in Montréal would be huge,” Hollingshead said. “Coming off a loss or disappointing game and trying to rebound and be ready for Club América will be much more difficult.”
Montréal presents as ripe for the picking, a low-confidence foe in the wake of a 6-1 derby decimation at home by Toronto and the midweek defeat on the road to Forge FC in a Canadian Championship quarterfinal.
“If we can get on top of them from the beginning, crush that confidence, keep that confidence low, get an early goal, that sort of thing, that’s when things unravel in these moments,” Hollingshead said of the clubs’ third-ever meeting (LAFC won in 2018 and 2019). “So that’s our goal, to jump all over them from the start.
“Keep them thinking that they’re not going to have a chance this weekend.”
Following a useful week of training, including a session Friday in rainy Montréal, LAFC will attempt to break down a man-oriented scheme and, as often as possible, get behind the host’s back line.
Avoiding passivity within its defensive responsibilities would be an improvement from the Galaxy match, especially if LAFC remains connected and keeps the ball away from its own goal against an opponent that can pose risks with crosses to physical attackers.
“We’re excited about the opportunity in a little over a week,” Cherundolo said, “but I think winning this game in Montréal would be the best message we can send for ourselves, to our fans and obviously for our opponents moving forward.
“That is the best way to prepare for Club América.”
LAFC AT CF MONTREAL
When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. PT
Where: Stade Saputo, Montréal
TV/radio: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass/710 AM, 980 AM
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