Los Angeles FC continue to extend their lead at the top of the standings in the MLS Western Conference, which has already played 32 matches. This Sunday, they won 3-1 against Houston Dynamo, with a brace from Mexican player Carlos Vela, to take a 9-point lead over Austin, their closest rival, and 14 points over third-placed Dallas.
Only 8 minutes into the game at Banc of California stadium, Vela opened the scoring with a penalty kick, but Houston Dynamo quickly equalized with a goal from Corey Baird. Before the end of the first half, in the fourth minute of added time, the Mexican player restored the lead for LAFC, again from the penalty spot.
In the second half, Ryan Hollingshead scored the final goal to make it 3-1 for LAFC against a team that is struggling and did not have Mexican player Héctor Herrera among the squad, as he continues to recover from an injury that also concerns Gerardo Martino, coach of the Mexican national team.
In the next match, Los Angeles FC will have to visit the home of Portland Timbers, a consistently competitive team that, however, is not having the best of seasons, as they are currently in fifth position in the conference with an inconsistent performance, recording 11 wins, 13 draws, and 8 losses.
LAFC's numbers are much better, as they have 20 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses in the 32 matches they have played, leading the standings with a comfortable margin.