LAFC Stay in the Running for Top Playoff Spot

The Los Angeles Football Club earned three big points last Saturday afternoon by outplaying the San Jose Quakes 2-0. With a pair of goals from defender Walker Zimmerman, the win kept the Black and Gold in the running for one of the top two spots in Western Conference.

Knowing that the cellar-dwelling Earthquakes (4-18-8) was struggling with a new coach and a league-low of four wins and only 20 points, LAFC came out confident and showed plenty of energy.

Throughout the first half, LAFC's offense went at the San Jose defense. Striker Adama Diomande started for the first time since early August. Their constant pressure led to nine corner kicks in the first half, and twelve in the match.

On LAFC's eighth corner kick attempt in the 41st minute, the 6'3" Zimmerman missed his header off a Carlos Vela cross but caught enough of the ball with his left shoulder to direct it into the back of the net.

It was Zimmerman's first league goal of the season and Carlos Vela's ninth assist.

The two teamed up again in the 68th minute when Vela hit the team's 12th corner kick into the box and found Zimmerman for a sharp header, giving LAFC a two score cushion.

Carlos Vela took over as full-time captain following the surprising transfer of defender, Laurent Ciman, last month. The 29-year-old soccer star is the first LAFC player to reach double-digit goals and assists in its premiere season.

Unlike last Saturday's contest against New England, the LAFC's defense remained strong throughout the game, as goalkeeper Tyler Miller got his ninth shutout of the season.

LAFC's 50 points keeps it in the running for a top-two seed in the Western Conference, behind Sporting KC (51 points) and tied with FC Dallas at 50 points.

LAFC (14-7-8) has five games remaining after Saturday's 2-0 win. Three of the five are at home: on September 29, 12:30 PM they play the Chicago Fire (7-7-15). They then play the Colorado Rapids (6-6-17) on October 6 at 6:00 PM. They finish up their regular season with formidable, first place Sporting Kansas City (15-6-7) on October 28 at 1:30 PM.