Explore every episode of the podcast Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

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LAFC successfully ran the gauntlet! 4 matches, 15 days... and ALL 12 POINTS! Denis and Sonny run their goal-scoring streak to 17 as LAFC takes down STL 3-0.

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LAFC heads to St. Louis to try to remain undefeated against City SC! Will Sonny take over the hat trick duties, or will Denis move closer to goal 100? 

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LAFC beats RSL again. By a score of 4-1 again! And an LAFC player (this time, Denis) scores a hat trick again! History made at BMO on the night the club inducted Carlos Vela into the Ring of Honor!

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LAFC takes on RSL for the second time in 5 days, this time at home! Will we see another hat trick?

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It was a historic night in Sandy, Utah! Son Heung-Min bagged a hat trick courtesy of assists from Tillman, Hollingshead, and Denis. And then... Denis gets a late goal to pass Carlos Vela with his 94th for the Black and Gold! 4-1 LAFC!

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LAFC heads to Utah to take on Real Salt Lake for the first time since the "Snow Game" in Sandy last season. 

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What a historic night in Santa Clara! Sonny scores in the first minute before Denis Bouanga's hat trick puts him level with Carlos Vela in LAFC's record books with 93 goals apiece. 

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LAFC heads into Santa Clara for their matchup against the Quakes! Will it be a record crowd in the Bay Area to see Sonny?

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It's Episode 380, and the long-awaited home debut for Son Heung-min is finally here! Unfortunately, it comes in a 2-1 home loss to conference leader San Diego, despite LAFC getting on the board first. 

Son looked great, coming up unlucky as he hits the post and has two attempts saved by CJ Dos Santos. You can kiss the West goodbye in 2025, and you can hear all about it here on 380!

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San Diego FC travels to BMO to take on LAFC at home for the very first time. Also a first, Son Heung-min will play on that beautiful home pitch!

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LAFC finishes off their 3-match road trip in beautiful Frisco, Texas. In August. In 95 degree heat. 

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Here on Episode 378, Son Heung-min gets his first start AND his first assist as LAFC travels across the country and beats the Revolution, 2-0. Hugo keeps his 9th clean sheet, Choiniere opens his account, and Scarf wants to abolish the secondary assist! Enjoy 378!

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LAFC heads to Boston to take on the Revolution. Will Son Heung-min get his first start?

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Filly is still riding solo on this pod. Quick and to the point and with no beer bongs. LAFC play the catchup game with a solid and gritty performance on the road. What stands out is the debut of Son and his impact was felt immediately. 

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Solo Filly on this preview. LAFC take on the Chicago Fire for the 1st time since 2019.

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It's Episode 376, and Son Heung-min is Black and Gold! Yes, LAFC defeated Tigres in the final match of their 2025 Leagues Cup run. And yes, David Martinez had a brace. But SONNY is one of us! 

Also on this episode, Ryan Porteous is ALSO Black and Gold, Mathieu Choiniere gets his first minutes, and Artem plays his best match so far. Oh, and Filly breaks out Excalibur 2.0. Enjoy 376!

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LAFC takes on Tigres for the first time... outside of a final. It's the last Group Stage match for LAFC in the 2025 Leagues Cup!

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It's Episode 375, and Thomas Hasal put on a show. After a solid 90', Hasal's two penalty shootout saves propel LAFC to earn two points after a 1-1 regulation draw vs. Pachuca in the 2025 Leagues Cup!

Also on this episode, Nathan Ordaz sees red, Scarf brings us back to the Covid times, and Filly does not one, but two shooeys! Enjoy 375!

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LAFC takes on the reigning CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, Pachuca, in our second of three Group Stage matches in the 2025 Leagues Cup.

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It's Episode 374, and the 2025 Leagues Cup has started! Woo! It's LAFC with their third consecutive poor effort, this one a listless 1-1 regulation draw that turned into an 11-10 PK-shootout loss to lowly Mazatlan. The Black and Gold B-squad struck first, but Mazatlan's B-squad struck soon after. From there, the offense died, and the match went to kicks. 

It's OK, though, as all LAFC has to do next is beat the best team in CONCACAF, Pachuca, on Friday. Enjoy!

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LAFC kicks off their 2025 Leagues Cup action with a match vs. Mazatlan FC at BMO!

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It's Episode 373, and LAFC provides very few signs of life in our last MLS Regular Season match before Leagues Cup. LAFC falls at home, 1-0, to the Timbers.

The lone bright spot of this match? The performance in the MLS debut of defender Kenny Nielsen! Nielsen was solid, and his near-goal on an audacious bicycle kick attempt in the second half was the highlight of the match. 

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LAFC re-gathers after All-Star Weekend, missing most of our CB's and Sergi Palencia! The Timbers come calling in our final regular-season match before Leagues Cup!

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LAFC and Carson played for the 26th time on Saturday, and this one, for Black and Gold Faithful, may have been the most frustrating yet. Despite twice holding a 2-goal lead, LAFC had to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw as Galaxy scored at the death.

Denis Bouanga did all he could while he was on the pitch, scoring twice to move within 6 of Carlos Vela all-time. Gabriel Pec added a brace of his own, and a last-second header by Maya Yoshida forced both sides home with a point. A red card for Eddie Segura in stoppage certainly complicates matters for the home side in their next match against Portland. 

Also on this episode, Bone Thugs and Harmony make an appearance at BMO! Enjoy Episode 372. 

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LAFC "welcomes" Carson to BMO in an effort to put the final nail in their 2025 regular season coffin. 

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LAFC travels to the Great White North and WINS for the first time, 1-0 over Minnesota United. Denis Bouanga's PK overshadows a couple of easy misses, and the defense looks great in LAFC's first match without Aaron Long.

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LAFC heads up to Minnesota to take on the Loons! Joining Scarf for this one is Heart of LAFC's Tony Hernandez! We talk all things LAFC, Minnesota, and Heart's upcoming 400th Episode!

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Episode 370 has many highlights, including a dominating win by LAFC over Dallas, another great performance by Denis, and a goal-of-the-year moment in the LAFC Unified match. But there is a pall over the match, and the episode, as LAFC appears to have lost our captain, Aaron Long, with a significant leg injury. 

Also on this episode, the man's name is Turbo, so please, put some respect on it! What a goal! Nate scores again, Dilrosun continues to get better, and Denis actually comes off the pitch! Enjoy Episode 370!

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LAFC welcomes an FC Dallas club who has lost 5 straight at BMO!

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LAFC saw three welcome sights stroll into BMO Stadium, as Giorgio Chiellini, Hello Kitty, and the Colorado Rapids made their way to the BMO! LAFC would pummel the Rapids, 3-0, behind Denis' 83rd and Dilrosun's 1st, amidst a sea of plush kittens.

Also on this pod, Filly swears. We're sorry. Well, at least Scarf is. Laff joins us, and apparently, he's the new conductor of the Martinez Motorcade. All aboard!

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Laff is back on the attack as her and Filly breakdown LAFC's opponent the Colorado Rapids!

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LAFC heads to Austin in an attempt to avenge their loss earlier this season at the hands of the Verde. Also, hello, Ilie!

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It's Episode 368, and the Olivier Giroud... Experiment? Experience? Era? Is over. LAFC falls flat in a 1-0 loss to Vancouver as David Ochoa makes his Black and Gold debut.

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LAFC heads home after their run in the Club World Cup, taking on second-place Vancouver at the friendly confines of BMO Stadium. Filly and Scarf give you their players to watch, keys to the match, and score prediction as LAFC hits the halfway mark of the season and celebrates Pride Night!

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LAFC ends their Club World Cup run with a solid draw against Brazilian side Flamengo, and the big news... LAFC scored!!! It's Episode 367.

Denis scores, Marlon exits with a head injury, and LAFC walks away from the CWC with a hard-fought point and our first goal! And people still want Denis out? Come on... All that and more here on Defenders of the Banc!

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LAFC finishes their run in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a match against Brazilian side Flamengo, who have already secured the top spot in Group D. Will LAFC score, or will the Black and Gold go quietly into the night?

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Episode 366 might not be the most chipper of episodes, as LAFC crashes out of the 2025 Club World Cup after losing to Esperance, 1-0. A missed penalty by Denis Bouanga sealed LAFC's fate, and now, all that's left is to hope we score a goal against Flamengo.

Also on this episode, Filly and Scarf defend Denis, applaud Hugo, and marvel at the Tunisian support in Nashville. Oh, and Javairo Dilrosun played for the first time. Enjoy 366! 

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LAFC takes on North African giant Esperance Sportive de Tunis in our second group stage match at the 2025 Club World Cup. 

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LAFC took on English powerhouse Chelsea in the 2025 Club World Cup. That's the headline. A match so important that Filly & Scarf brought on two special guests, Laff and lifelong Chelsea AND all-time Black and Gold supporter Slippy on the pod to talk about it. 

LAFC would fall, 2-0, but the effort, the heart, and the support were absolutely there for all 90'. Not the result we wanted, but the boys did us proud. 

It's Episode 365, which means you can listen to a new episode every day for a year!

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LAFC takes on English Premier League giant Chelsea in a match that actually matters, our first match of Group D play at the 2025 Club World Cup!

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Amidst the backdrop of protests and ICE raids across Los Angeles, LAFC defeated Sporting Kansas City, 3-1, behind a goal and 2 assists from Denis Bouanga. But it was the 90' of silence, and then the deafening roar, from The 3252 that made the most impact.

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Defenders of the Banc stands with ALL Angelinos during these difficult and unprecedented times. 

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It's Episode 363, and LAFC has just won the most important match in club history! LAFC slays LIGA MX giant Club America, 2-1, after 120'!

The atmosphere was unlike any other in the history of BMO Stadium, as Club America brought incredible support and a high-powered roster into Los Angeles for the winner-take-all showdown. After a tense, scoreless first half, Las Aquilas would get on the board first, with a little help from VAR. A soft penalty was awarded, which, of all people, Brian Rodriguez buries to put the visitors on top. 

Just before the 90', a perfect corner from Denis Bouanga finds the well-placed head of Igor Jesus, and we are level! What a time for Igor to score his first goal, and we are headed to Extra Time. In the second 15' half, Denis Bouanga pays off wonderful buildup from Olivier Giroud and Frankie Amaya, as his shot deflects off a defender's leg and in for the winner! LAFC is headed to the Club World Cup!

Also on this episode, we take a peek at our opponents, Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis. Scarf loses his voice, Filly gets it right, Maxime Chanot is amazing without playing a minute, and apologies all around to Olivier Giroud! 

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LAFC gets ready to battle Club America for a shot at 9.5 million dollars and a trip to its 1st ever FIFA Club World Cup, where they would be in a group w/ clubs like Flamengo, ES Tunis and Chelsea. Lots to think about, but Filly and The Scarf do all the prep work to get you ready. 

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It's Episode 362, the second game recap episode in a row where we discuss a disappointing 2-2 draw to a Wooden Spoon contender. Our location shifts to Quebec, where LAFC was only able to take a point from lowly CF Montreal. 

Montreal, the club that had scored just 8 goals all season, raced out to a 2-0 lead after 22', thanks to Prince Owusu's penalty and a couple of lucky bounces. LAFC would respond right before the half through Mark Delgado as the half would end 2-1.

The subs made all the difference for LAFC. Ryan Hollingshead improved the offense, Cengiz Ünder brought a calm on the ball, and Olivier Giroud delivered the tying goal, making the run and putting away a deflection. Not the story we wanted in Montreal, but LAFC's takes a point. 

Next up is Club America, and a spot in the Club World Cup. But until then, enjoy 362!   

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LAFC heads into Quebec to take on CF Montreal, the worst team in the East. Will it be three easy points for the Black and Gold, or will a wooden spoon contender give them trouble two weeks in a row?

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Filly and Scarf are back together for the full episode, Episode 361, dedicated to the disappointment that was the 25th edition of the Los Angeles Derby. The boys recap the 2-2 draw in Carson that felt much more like a loss, discuss the Mark Delgado ring fiasco, debate hugging your rival after a match, and much more! Enjoy 361!

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LAFC heads down to Carson to take on the winless Galaxy. Filly and Scarf are back together, so check this one out to hear their Players To Watch, Keys to the Match, and Score Prediction!

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LAFC gets its most convincing win of the season against their rivals from the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Sounders. With Scarf still in Georgia, Filly and Laff give you the breakdown while also taking some liberties and having some fun. 

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Filly and the 12th member of DOTB, Chris Lafferty give you all the info you need before LAFC's 13th game of the MLS Regular Season and 25th meeting against Seattle in all competitions.