LAFC upset in MLS playoffs after fans pelt Real Salt Lake keeper with debris
Los Angeles FC’s expansion season has gone about as smoothly as possible on the field, with the club easily qualifying for the MLS playoffs in its first year. But LAFC fans continue to cause problems off of it.
Thursday’s postseason match between LAFC and Real Salt Lake, eventually won 3-2 by RSL, was halted for five minutes in the first half when RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando was pelted with debris from the stands after Danilo Silva tied the knockout tilt at 1-1 a half-hour in. It marred a contest that will go down as an instant MLS classic.
The incident occurred shortly after Real’s Damir Kreilach had put the visitors in front with a slick finish inside the box:
What a ball. What a finish. @RealSaltLake are up on the road!#LAFCvRSL // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/ETzSMcCgEN
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2018
Christian Ramirez vaulted the hosts ahead with a powerful blast into the top corner early in the second half:
Superman strikes again!@Chris_Ramirez17 with a beauty and @LAFC are up 2-1. #LAFCvRSL // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/WqAiYRmVIr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2018
But Kreilach then answered with an even better effort, karate-kicking the ball off the inside of the post before an own goal by LAFC defender Walker Zimmerman gave the visitors a famous and unexpected win:
Damir Kreilach ARE YOU KIDDING US?! #LAFCvRSL // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/OTWcWEaCth
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2018
It was a match that will live on in MLS lore, partly because of the ugly first half scenes that won’t be forgotten soon. Video from MLS’s official Twitter account clearly shows projectiles raining down on Rimando following Silva’s goal:
⚫ HUGE EQUALIZER ⚫#LAFCvRSL // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1WrBk0Bs0p
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2018
It’s not the first time that LAFC fans have gotten into trouble during the club’s maiden campaign. There were 19 ejections and six arrests made after an altercation between LAFC supporters and their LA Galaxy counterparts at match in July, during which Galaxy fans ripped up $7,500-worth of seats in the visiting section at LAFC’s Banc of California Stadium.
Afterward, LAFC reminded its supporters what sort of behavior is acceptable at its home games:
#LAFC and @LAFC3252 take a stand on acceptable @BancStadium conduct.
LAFC and The 3252 will not tolerate illegal acts of any kind affiliated with our Club or the visiting team’s supporters.https://t.co/HdPmPIHiwB
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 28, 2018
Apparently some fans didn’t get the message.
Rimando responds in good fun
Rimando, who took the brunt of the debris, made light of the situation Friday morning.
Emotions were high last night but I must say I’m very disappointed in LAFC crowd last night. If your gonna throw a beer at least make sure it has a top on it and I’m looking. I prefer @goldenroadbrew @RowdysBrewCo & Highland Park when in LA. 🍻
— Nick Rimando (@NickRimando) November 2, 2018
In ensuing tweets he used a rainbow and heart emoji in reply to a fan referencing the gay chants LAFC fans used and told followers not to let “a few salty fans take away what @LAFC brought to the league this year.”
Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
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