The table was set and dinner was served for MLS Supporters’ Shield Champions Sunday afternoon as they welcomed Nashville SC for the last home match of the regular season.
To the beat of “Ecstasy of Gold,” the representatives of the 3252, LAFC’s supporter section, walked down the red carpet laid at midfield. In their possession was the supporter’s shield trophy which was ready to be presented in a complete celebration. The full roster of the Angeleno team welcomed the trophy with great excitement.
Flags, chants, and a sense of accomplishment took over the fans in attendance at Banc of California as they enjoyed seeing Carlos Vela, Latif Blessing, Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale all share the trophy; however, it was not all fun and games for LAFC.
Despite a 1-0 defeat to Nashville, the five-year-old Angeleno franchise was able to lift their second trophy. With 68 total points, LAFC heads into the playoffs as the first-ranked team in Major League Soccer.
Since 2018, the Black and Gold have been the best home team in the MLS. Being the number-one team in the country, they have also assured playing at home for the rest of the playoffs, as they look to become only the sixth team to win both the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup in the same year. “That tells you how difficult it is in this country to become champion,” said Illie Sanchez, LAFC midfielder, adding that the home-field advantage gives them extra motivation.
Steve Cherundolo became the only second first-year-head coach in history to win the Supporters’ Shield. Cherundolo also achieved the most wins (21) by a coach during his first season in the MLS, surpassing Bob Bradley, who had 20 in 1998 with the Chicago Fire.
Nashville qualified to the MLS Audi Cup Playoffs as the fifth seed with 50 points after today’s result. Meanwhile, LAFC will have to wait a week to know who they will face in the playoffs. Their opponent will be decided from either Nashville themselves or LAFC’s neighbor and archnemesis: Los Angeles Galaxy.
With the 3252 supporter section present for the remainder of their postseason bouts, the LAFC players are confident that whoever gets in their way will have to face a difficult atmosphere. Ryan Hollingshead, LAFC defender, made it clear that he did not mind which team was next on their schedule. “We think that we are the team to beat in this league, we think the shield shows it, but now we have to go out there and prove it.”