In only their second year, Los Angeles Football Club is continuing to turn heads. After losing a heartbreaking game last year to Real Salt Lake in the playoffs, LAFC has come out of the gates at breakneck speed in 2019. The team is getting better and the fan base continues to grow. Carlos Vela is in MVP form and LAFC look unstoppable early.
The 3252
The 3252, LAFC’s biggest fan group, has made their presence known in every stadium so far this year. Two weeks ago in New York, the fans could be heard with the “Dale, Dale Dale, Black and Gold” chant on television. This past weekend in San Jose, the 3252 once again made their presence known with videos circulating Twitter showing LAFC’s very own “earthquake”.
The #3252 almost brought down the roof at #AvayaStadium today? #BlackOutSJ #LAFC pic.twitter.com/J1akFPe6rb— Christian Lau (@LAFCTECHBOSS) March 31, 2019
If you have ever been to Banc of California Stadium, you know how serious these fans take their soccer. This, in combination with winning, is causing LAFC to quickly become a hated opponent. Towards the end of last year, many fans remember the chippy attitude of the games against Real Salt Lake and Sporting KC. That same chippy attitude continued right on through to this year, most recently in San Jose. Big market teams always experience the ire of many fan bases — Boston is not unfamiliar with the idea that wherever they go — they will be met by boo birds and aggressive play.
In the blink of an eye
It’s not shocking that LAFC is now becoming that team; it’s shocking that it happened so fast. In only five games this season, LAFC opponents have had three red cards and more than 10 yellow cards. Make no mistake, LAFC players have a target on their backs. Teams will try to get them out of rhythm early by trying to impose their will with aggressive and psychical play. The question is: Will LAFC continue to embrace the role of the villain? For Los Angeles sports fans, it’s not an unfamiliar feeling.
