Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

LAFC travels to St. Louis with just three matches remaining before the World Cup break! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC looks listless, frustrated, and just plain spent in a 4-1 home loss to Houston. Three more matches until the World Cup break. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC resumes their regular season with a home match against Houston. Time to shake off the disappointment of the CCC! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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LAFC travels to Toluca, Mexico for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Hollingshead's header in the 104' gave LAFC it's first-ever point against San Diego FC in fantastic comeback fashion. The Sonny-Denis Connection got rolling again to get LAFC back into the match after the Black and Gold had fallen behind 2-0. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC travels down to Snapdragon to take on San Diego FC, one of the few MLS clubs they have yet to defeat! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Filly takes control of the pod on a solo tip as Scarf is on the road with his middle schoolers. No fluff, facts and fun on the edition of DOTB. LAFC wins Leg 1 vs the top dog in Concacaf setting the stage for a war at 8750 feet above sea level in a few days. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC welcomes Liga MX side Toluca for the Black and Gold's home leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hugo Lloris keeps it clean while David Martinez does the Loons dirty in a 1-0 road win in Minnesota! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC travels to St. Paul to take on Minnesota United. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC and Colorado play to a 0-0 draw at BMO behind another clean sheet from Hugo Lloris. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC looks to bounce back from their loss to San Jose with a midday home match against the Colorado Rapids. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

San Jose comes into BMO Stadium and gives the Black and Gold a good old-fashioned beating, 4-1. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's #2 in the West vs. #3 as Timo Werner, Bruce Arena, and the San Jose Earthquakes take a trip down PCH to take on LAFC! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC outlasts both Cruz Azul and referee Ivan Barton en route to a 1-1 draw in Puebla. A late PK for Denis Bouanga is the equalizer, although both he and Eddie Segura will miss the first leg vs. Toluca. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC travels to Puebla, Mexico to take on Cruz Azul in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinal. LAFC comes in with a 3-0 advantage on aggregate thanks to a fantastic brace by David Martinez and an early goal from Son Heung-Min. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC drops their first result of 2026 behind a heavily rotated roster in anticipation of their CCC match vs. Cruz Azul just three days later. Jude Terry scores a wonder goal, Cabral Carter makes his debut, and the kids are alright in a 2-1 loss to Portland. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC pulls into Providence Park to take on the Pine Trees of Portland! Will there be heavy roster rotation with Cruz Azul looming just 3 days later? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC takes down Cruz Azul, 3-0, behind a brace from David Martinez, a goal from Son Heung-Min, and another clean sheet from Hugo Lloris! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The defending CONCACAF Cup Champions, Cruz Azul, come to BMO Stadium for the first leg of the 2026 CCC Quarterfinals! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC scores 6, including 5 in the first half, in a rout of Orlando at BMO Stadium. Sonny ties an MLS record with 4 first-half assists, Denis Bouanga nets another hat trick, and Hugo Lloris keeps another clean sheet! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eduard Atuesta, Maxime Crepeau, and the rest of the Orlando City squad travel to BMO Stadium for the first time since 2018! Will LAFC come out firing, or will they have one eye fixed on the upcoming match with Cruz Azul? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Filly is flying solo today for the first time in a long time as Scarf invades Belize with middle schoolers. Quick recap and thoughts on the draw in Texas. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC travels to Austin to take on the Black and Verde before getting a much needed 2 weeks off. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Late David Martinez heroics deliver LAFC to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals, as LAFC finds just enough to eke out a 2-1 win on the road in Costa Rica! Nathan Ordaz also finds the scoresheet, helping to ease the blow of a scoreless night from both Son and Bouanga. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC heads to Costa Rica to take on Alajuelense in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. LAFC needs a 2-2 draw or better (or a win) to directly advance, while a 1-1 result will lead to PK's! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

History made here on Defenders of the Banc, as LAFC Co-President Larry Freedman joins Filly and Scarf for Episode 400, and history made yet again at BMO Stadium, as LAFC improves to 4-0-0 in the 2026 MLS regular season behind four straight clean sheets! Mathieu Choiniere bags a brace for the good guys. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC faces a heavy-hearted St. Louis City SC club, a club without their leader, Eduard Löwen, after his wife passed away from brain cancer. Our thoughts are with the Löwen family as we prepare to take on his club. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC created chance after chance after chance, but the soccer gods shone on Alajuelense in a 1-1 draw at BMO Stadium in the first leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. The Black and Gold will need to find at least a goal in Costa Rica to hold off the two-time CCC champions on St. Patrick's Day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will Denis Bouanga get back to his high-scoring ways? Will Son Heung-min join the offensive party? Will Hugo Lloris keep another clean sheet? All these questions and more will be answered tomorrow, as LAFC takes on Costa Rican giant Alajuelense in a CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC remained undefeated vs. Dallas at home behind an ageless performance from 39-year-old keeper Hugo Lloris. David Martinez scored again, the North End was electric, and LAFC ran their record to 5-0-0 to start 2026! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC has never lost to FC Dallas at BMO Stadium, running their record to 6-0-1 with their victory in 2025. They'll look to keep their winning ways rolling, as tomorrow's match marks their first MLS regular season match at BMO in 2026. Will Son Heung-min score his first MLS goal in 2026 against the team he scored his first-ever Black and Gold goal against? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC defeats the Dynamo, 2-0, to run their record to 4-0-0 in 2026! Midfielders Mark Delgado and Stephen Eustaquio provide the goals, Sonny provides the assists, and Hugo keeps it clean yet again. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC goes on the road for the first time in the 2026 MLS Regular Season. The setting? Houston, where LAFC has won just once in 8 tries. Former LAFC star Mateusz Bogusz signed on with the Dynamo in the offseason, adding a little spice to the early-season matchup! Will LAFC be able to run their season-opening win streak to 4, or will the Dynamo slow down the Black and Gold's high-powered offensive attack? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 396, Scarf takes you through the 1-0 win over Real España, as LAFC advances to play Costa Rican side, and familiar CCC foe, Alajuelense in the next round. Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga both start and play the first half. Jude Terry and Amin Boudri each make their LAFC debuts, and Nkosi Tafari's first LAFC goal is the difference in the match. Also on this episode, we chat about Denis Bouanga's extension, keeping him in Black and Gold through at least 2028, as well as taking a look back at This Day in LAFC History. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's the night before a match, so it's time for One More Sleep, Defenders of the Banc's pre-match show focused on giving you all you need to know before you watch the next LAFC match! Real España makes the trek from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to the heart of Los Angeles to take on the Black and Gold in the friendly confines of BMO Stadium. LAFC won the first leg, 6-1, so expect some roster rotation during this one! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Almost 76,000 were on hand to see Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, and a Hollywood-worthy list of stars at The Coliseum. LAFC did not disappoint, as the Black and Gold pummeled the defending champs, 3-0. Denis Bouanga had a goal and an assist, David Martinez kept his hot start to the season going, and Sonny notched his 4th assist of 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The stage is set. The 2026 MLS season opens with the biggest bang of them all: Son Heung-Min, Denis Bouanga, and LAFC host Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and the defending champs, Inter Miami. In what might be a record MLS crowd at The Coliseum, both clubs will look to set the tone for 2026! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Filly and Scarf recap the 6-1 drubbing of Honduran side Real España in front of their home fans in San Pedro Sula. The 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup could not have started better for the Black and Gold. A renewed David Martinez looked great up top alongside the all-world duo of Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min. Denis scores a hat trick to see him on 104 goals all-time for LAFC, while Sonny pairs his goal with three assists! Stephen Eustaquio, who looked amazing on the night, and Matthew Evans both made their MLS (and LAFC) debuts, while the match marked the first in Black and Gold for striker Tyler Boyd. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Defenders of the Banc co-host and producer J.R. "Scarf" Lebert breaks down everything you'll want to know as LAFC takes on Real España in the first round of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Players from up and down their roster are highlighted, including former LAFC goalkeeper, Luis "Buba" Lopez. Son Heung-Min, Denis Bouanga, Hugo Lloris, and the rest of the Black and Gold will have their hands full with a very prideful Honduran side, but Scarf predicts a romp! Take a listen before the match so you know everything you need to impress your friends and have all the info! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC plays in front of cameras for the first time in 2026, heading out to the Coachella Valley Invitational! Denis Bouanga scores a late one for LAFC in their 1-1 draw vs. NYCFC. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textScarf and Laff preview the beginning of the MDS Era (at least the first match we can see!), a preseason tilt vs. NYCFC! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textFilly and Scarf put a bow on 2025! We discuss our new coach, the new signings, old signings, and much more since our last episode several weeks ago!Happy New Year and to everyone who made Defenders a part of their 2025, THANK YOU! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textLAFC's 2025 run comes to an end in the Western Conference Semis. Battling back from down 2-0, LAFC leveled things at the death with an incredible free-kick strike from Son Heung-min. Despite the Whitecaps going down to 10 men, and then 9, LAFC's chances either connected with the woodwork or went wide. The match would be lost in penalties, as both Sonny and Mark Delgado missed their chances and LAFC fell on kicks, 4-3. The Steve Cherundolo era is officially over.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textOne More Sleep AND a regular episode, all rolled into one! Filly and Scarf breakdown the matchup between LAFC and Vancouver in Canada and then go another half-hour plus talking about all the news that happened over Don Garber's vacation break: The 2026 schedule, international duty, MLS Commissioner talk, the Luca Bombino trade, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textLAFC moves on to the Conference Semifinals for the fourth straight season with a 4-1 victory in Austin! Sonny gets one as Denis gets to 101 in an LAFC shirt! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textLAFC heads to Austin, looking to close things out in their best-of-three series! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textLAFC began its quest for a second star over the crest with an ugly, hard-fought 2-1 victory over Austin FC at BMO Stadium. The two new contract signees, Ryan Hollingshead and Nathan Ordaz, both figured in the scoring.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textLAFC takes on Austin in the first match in the best-of-3 First Round.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.