Defenders of the Banc - The LAFC Podcast

Send us a text Well... that was rough. LAFC went deep into the heart of Texas and came back far worse for wear. The Houston Dynamo, behind Corey Baird and Franco Escobar (ugh), take LAFC behind the woodshed in a 4-0 drubbing in what might be the worst loss of the Dolo Era. Filly and Scarf are there for you, however, going LIVE on YouTube to walk through the fire. It's Episode 257, and in Houston,...

Send us a text Fresh off their CCL Final defeat at the hands (feet?) of Leon, LAFC found themselves back in the saddle at BMO, taking on Eastern Conference foe Atlanta United. How would LAFC respond? Well... LAFC got off to a bit of a slow start, as Atlanta took it to the defending champs for the first 15-18 minutes of the match. But as the match wore on, it became clear that LAFC was back on the...

Send us a text Episode 255 may be the toughest one yet here on Defenders of the Banc. No match was more important in our club's history than this second leg of the 2023 CCL Final against Leon. We had them at home, at BMO, at a place we've staunchly defended for 6 years. We needed just one goal to level things and take control of the series. And we had Denis Bouanga, Carlos Vela, a healthy Kellyn A...

Send us a text Just when we thought LAFC couldn't possibly play any worse, Denis Bouanga went and did something like that... and TOTALLY REDEEMED THEMSELVES!  After an absolute stinker of a performance for the first 95+ minutes of the first leg of the CCL final against Leon, a stunner at the death for Denis Bouanga and LAFC makes the 2-1 loss seem a little less awful, and the patch to CCL victory...

Send us a text It's almost time for the CONCACAF Champions League Final, with a berth in the Club World Cup at stake! With LAFC on the precipice of writing yet another incredible chapter in their short but already storied history, it's time for the LAFC #PodFam to unite and record our CCL Final Preview SUPERPOD! On this very, very special episode, "The Scarf" J.R. Lebert hosts as the voices on man...

Send us a text Welcome to Episode 252 of Defenders of the Banc! Normally, this space is reserved for some witty commentary and a recap of the episode. But today, in its place, we choose to use this as an appreciation post to the young kids who put forth such a valiant effort against Carson in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. Yes, they fell, 2-0. But there would be nothing to hang their heads ab...

Send us a text Fresh off the milestone of hitting 250 episodes, the boys are right back at it. On Episode 251, we relive recent history, but we switch roles! Two weeks ago, a late penalty doomed LAFC, 2-1, against San Jose. Tonight, a late penalty doomed San Jose, 2-1! It's revenge szn! The match could not have started any better, but Stipe Biuk opening his account with LAFC just 2:17 into the mat...

Send us a text It's a milestone episode here at Defenders, as Filly, Scarf, and the MILLIONS celebrate making it one-quarter of the way to 1000 episodes! So why aren't the boys more jovial for Episode 250? When you play one of the worst clubs in all the league to a draw, at home, after you had the lead... You'll have to excuse us for not breaking out the party hats.  All the scoring was done in th...

Send us a text Just one episode away from a nice milestone, Filly and Scarf chat about one of our better performances of the season, a 3-0 pummeling of RSL in Sandy, Utah. It's Episode 249, and on this episode, we break down the match, and touch on all the LAFC news and notes of the past week.  LAFC started out hot, with an early goal, as Filly predicted. Mahala's 9th minute banger gave the Black...

Send us a text The band "The Who" has a song called “The Kids Are Alright” and they certainly were. With Scarf being shipped off to Boston, this episode of Defenders of The Banc features a different set of hosts. LAFC utilized different players and so did DOTB, well at least one face wasn’t different. The DOTB crew recaps LAFC’s spirited win over USL opponent Monterey Bay FC in the US Open Cup. He...

Send us a text It was bound to happen sometime. LAFC suffers its first loss of the 2023 MLS campaign, falling to San Jose at Levi's Stadium, 2-1, behind a brace from Cristian Espinoza. Hear all about it on Episode 247. With Filly (and Panda) in the stands, LAFC traveled up to Santa Clara, CA to the home of Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers to face the San Jose Earthquakes. LAFC was behind th...

Send us a text It's Episode 246, and this is a special one. This episode kicks off our "Getting to Know" series, where you can learn all about the history, roster, stadium, and more of the opponents we play that are outside the usual 28 other MLS squads.  For our maiden "Getting to Know" voyage, take a listen and learn all about Monterey Bay FC, the USL Championship club that is LAFC's 2023 US Ope...

Send us a text LAFC has made history. Again. With a 3-0 pummeling of the Union at BMO Stadium on Tuesday, May 2, the Black and Gold punch their ticket to their second CCL final in four years. On Episode 245, relive the historic win as Filly and Scarf take you through all of the heart-pounding moments!  It took LAFC a mere 13 minutes to announce their presence with authority, as Timothy Tillman jum...

Send us a text It's Episode 244, and it's the first half of the rematch everyone has been waiting for: Leg 1 of the Semifinals of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League tilt between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union.  Thanks to a pair of superb saves by John McCarthy, LAFC and Philly left the first half level. A Kellyn Acosta handball gifted a PK to the Union with just 4 minutes left in regulation, and...

Send us a text Here on Episode 243, the Black and Gold travel to Nash Vegas to take on Walker ZImmerman and Nashville SC. LAFC would start a heavily rotated lineup while leaving Timothy Tillman, Aaron Long, and Giorgio Chiellini off the roster completely, searching for a point in Music City.  The home side would strike first, as LAFC struggled to clear the ball out of their own box. Reigning MVP H...

Send us a text The Clasico Angelino, Round 18, and for the first time, LAFC defeats Carson at the DIGS. It may have taken too long, but finally, LAFC gets the monkey off their backs and takes three points from Carson, needing a brace and an assist from Carlos Vela to do it! Despite the lack of home support from Carson, LAFC took the Galaxy's best shot. Going into the half level, 1-1, the Black and...

Send us a text Here on Episode 241, the boys recap both legs of their second round CCL matchup with the Whitecaps. Denis Bouanga, Carlos Vela, and the back line of LAFC absolutely have their way with Vancouver, both at home and north of the border. In the first leg, Denis Bouanga's brace and a little dose of Mahala magic overcome the bad carpet of BC Place to sink Vancouver 3-0. Back at home, a br...

Send us a text LAFC welcomes FC Broccoli back to BMO for the first time since last year's historic Western Conference Final, and the boys break down another broccoli beatdown here on Episode 240! Denis Bouanga is simply magical, becoming the 5th member of the Black and Gold to record a hat trick, Elden Jakupovic makes his debut and, along with Giorgio, some history, and Coach Steve gets to the 25-...

Send us a text It's Episode 239, and we travel to Commerce City, Colorado, to take on the Rapids in a place where we haven't won since 2018. Spoiler alert: We still haven't, but at least we didn't lose! A 0-0 draw for the Black and Gold starts this next gauntlet of 5 matches in 16 days.  Also on this podcast, apparently it was Opposite Day, as Filly gets his research on when discussing 0-0 draws w...

Send us a text LAFC definitely didn't make it easy against Dallas, but three points is three points, and the Black and Gold collected all three in their 2-1 win against a 10-man Dallas squad.  LAFC almost had two goals in the first three minutes, but had to settle for being up 1-0 courtesy of Timothy Tillman in the 3rd minute. After a Dallas goal was ruled offside and Giorgio lost his shin guard f...

Send us a text It was hard to tell who was more tired, LAFC after playing their 5th match in 15 days, or the Defenders, fresh from celebrating Scarf's 40th birthday. But the show must go on, both for our beloved Black and Gold, and for THE most LAFC podcast on Earth, Defenders of the Banc!  Episode 237 relives the riveting 0-0 draw in Seattle, complete with yellow cards, substitutions, and one nic...

Send us a text After a masterful showing in Costa Rica, and fresh off another master class against New England, the boys in Black and Gold take on Alajuelense yet again for their 4th match in 12 days, this time at the friendly confines of BMO. We cover both CCL matches here on Episode 236! Winning the first leg comfortably, 3-0, and on the road, no less, meant that all LAFC had to do was avoid an...

Send us a text Didn't we just do this? (Yes!) And aren't we doing this again very soon? (Also yes!) It's a gauntlet of 5 matches in 15 days, and LAFC's beatdown of the Revolution means we are over the hump! It's Episode 235, the one where we welcome back club legend Latif Blessing! LAFC, fresh off their international spanking of Costa Rica's Alajuelense, head back to BMO for our third-ever showdow...

Send us a text It’s Opening Day for LAFC in 2023, and with that comes rings, banners, an incredible tifo, and, like the previous 5 seasons, 3 points! Here on Episode 234, listen to Filly and Scarf break down the win over Portland. Better yet, for the first time, head on over to YouTube, and you can now WATCH the Defenders do their thing!  Before the match, all the pomp and circumstance that comes...

Send us a text 233 episodes in, and Filly and the Scarf finally deviate from the script! On this episode, which you should most definitely be WATCHING on YouTube as well as listening to on your favorite streaming service, the boys review all 30 new kits unveiled for the 2023 season... objectively. That's right, the Defenders put aside as much of their Black and Gold bias as possible for one episod...