10/31 - Matchday 33

1. How can LAFC become a team that is dangerous in possession?

LAFC have struggled to be ball-dominant for years now. When Steve Cherundolo took over, he instituted a more pragmatic approach. Instead of trying to dominate the game with the ball, they looked to defend resolutely and attack on the break with Denis Bouanga. This gameplan, while not the most beautiful, was largely successful. Since moving on from Cherundolo, LAFC's game model has become less sustainable, and thus the results have faltered. Marc Dos Santos, who was hired after Cherundolo's departure, didn't even last an entire season. LAFC have public stated that they intend to institute a more attractive style of soccer. Following the dismissal of Dos Santos, LAFC hired Xavi Tamarit as the interim manager. The early returns have been more of the same: conceding possession and trying to strike on the break. However, in their last game, at home to the LA Galaxy, they had 58% possession. While some of this is due to the game state(the Galaxy went up 2-0 in this one), it is clear that there was an intent to control the game more in possession. Obviously, any manager can't simply reverse one's tactical set-up over night. It takes a lot of time and training to develop a new identity. That being said, there are some signs of positivity for LAFC as they look to return to the ball-dominant style that they once had under Bob Bradley.

First of all, if LAFC want to be the most dangerous version of themselves, Denis Bouanga must start as the left winger. Tamarit has started him up top for the Black and Gold, and while he has been somewhat productive, this says more to the quality of Bouanga than it does the tactical set up. Using Bouanga as the spearhead of the attack was meant to create more of a threat on the counter press to win the ball back quickly for LAFC. However, this hasn't panned out in the way that Tamarit planned, and instead he has largely just muted Bouanga's effectiveness. Some credit is due to the Spanish manager, who shifted Bouanga back out to his more natural left wing position last Sunday in El Tráfico. This instantly made LAFC a more dangerous team, which should put an end to the Bouanga experiment. Secondly, LAFC are going to have to field more attackers than they have been in the last few years. While the Black and Gold suffered some injury troubles this season, their lineup choices have been extremely defensive-minded. Far too often, they have fielded 4 or more central defenders scattered across the starting 11, or a box to box midfielder starting on the wing. Tamarit wants to get his fullbacks high and wide in order to create overloads in possession. It is imperative that he play his players in their natural position so that they are the most dangerous.

Finally, one of the biggest things that LAFC should do if they want to create more danger in possession is to play with a true number 10 in midfield. This season, Son Heung-Min has deputized at this spot. While he hasn't been perfect, he has good vision and technique, and therefore leads the team in assists. However, LAFC should go out and get a true playmaker to complement their attack. In the All-Star game, Son was the star of the show, but his goals were both set up by Carles Gil, who is once again one of the best number 10's in the league. Acquiring a through-and-through attacking midfielder would unlock Bouanga and Son in a way that LAFC have struggled to do consistently against the toughest opponents. One problem with LAFC's tactical shift is their transition defense. They were alarmingly open against the Galaxy, so they are going to have to fix their transition defense if they want to be more adventurous with the ball. However, in the short term, they are going to have to be brave in possession in committing numbers forward while still protecting their rest defense. Tamarit should start his players in their natural positions, which means playing with fullbacks and wingers. And they are going to have to rely heavily on Denis Bouanga, who has been the best attacker on LAFC by far all season long.

2. What's different about this year's Charlotte FC?

In many ways, Charlotte FC look like a similar team to what they were the last couple years. In 2024, they finished 5th with 51 points and were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, and in 2025, they finished 4th with 59 points and were again knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. In 2026, they look on pace to finish 4th or 5th with somewhere between 50-56 points. While the regular season may look the same, this year Charlotte has the potential to do a lot more in the postseason. Much of this comes down to summer addition Allan Saint-Maximin, who has been fabulous on the wing for Charlotte. Under Dean Smith, the foundation has always been solid for The Crown, and as such their floor has been relatively high. But, the biggest criticism of this franchise is that the ceiling has felt low. Charlotte can change this narrative in 2026.

Before getting into what separates this side from previous editions, the fundamentals are similar. Charlotte are once again a very strong home team - the third best in the Eastern Conference. As has been the case throughout their existence, Charlotte still struggle on their travels. The root of Charlotte's away game woes is their defense. Normally so reliable, it's fallen apart on road games, allowing 2 goals per match. Charlotte allow 1 goal per match at US Bank Stadium. This is a massive difference, and Charlotte must keep things tighter when they are away from home in the playoffs. But there has been some signs of positivity in their away matches. When Charlotte are on the road, they typically sit deeper. This leaves open space for them to attack into, and they are now a much more dangerous side in transition. It fits the profiles of lots of their attackers: Abada and Aloko are vertical, speedy wingers, Biel can pick a pass as well as nearly anyone in the league, and of course, Saint-Maximin is even more of a threat with more room to operate. If Charlotte can absorb pressure and be precise on the break, they can become a scary opponent away from US Bank Stadium.

What really makes this Charlotte FC group different this season is their explosiveness in attack. They've had good attackers in years past, but it never felt like they could truly overwhelm a team with their offensive prowess. This year is different. Idan Toklomati has taken another step forward, currently setting the franchise record for most goals scored in an MLS season. Since the international break, the Israeli striker has 6 goals and 3 assists in 5 matches. He's not the only one having a career year for The Crown; Liel Abada is playing his best ball since coming to MLS. Abada and Aloko have split time on the right wing, and both have been productive. Allan Saint-Maximin is a huge part of Charlotte's offensive breakthrough. The Frenchman is one of the best 1v1 wingers in the league because everything he does is with a purpose. He wants to beat his man so he can pick out a teammate in the box or find someone running into space. His playmaking has elevated everyone around him, and attracts the attention of opponents. This leaves more time and space for Charlotte's best attacker, Pep Biel. The Spaniard is quietly having a sensational season, with 29 goal contributions in 32 games. Only Evander has more assists than Biel, who is truly one of MLS' premier creators. With Biel, Saint-Maximin, and Toklomati, Charlotte FC have an elite group of match-winners in attack who take this team past the first round of the 2026 playoffs.

3. What can be expected of St. Louis for the rest of the year?

It's been a historic year for St. Louis City. After a poor start to the Yoann Damet era that saw St. Louis win just one of their opening 10 MLS matches, St. Louis went on a league record 21 match unbeaten run across all competitions. St. Louis went from 2nd bottom of the West to 2nd, but more importantly, won the US Open Cup, their first ever trophy. Hoisting the US Open Cup makes this season a success regardless of how they end the year, especially given how well this club has done in league play year. They've done an excellent job developing players, bought into an effective, multi-faceted identity, established a winning culture, and successfully integrated new players into the club on the fly. It should be noted they have also treated their departures well, handling tricky situations with tact and class. Overall, it's been a resounding success from the entire organization, from the players to the training staff to the front office.

But there is reason for concern about how well this team will do in the postseason. St. Louis have now lost 3 straight MLS matches. There are some confounding factors for this skid: rotation around the Open Cup final, winning and then celebrating a cup final, a red card, and the absence of Matan, who is the best connector from defense to attack on the roster. It's also inevitable that they will fall victim to fatigue, both of the physical and mental persuasion. It takes a lot of energy to keep up such a historic streak and to win a trophy midseason, especially with St. Louis' style of play. Last year's winner of the US Open Cup, Nashville SC, only won 1 of their remaining games after lifting the trophy, and it's entirely possible St. Louis could see the same drop off in performances and results. But it's also entirely possible that St. Louis rebound heading into the postseason. Throughout the year, they've shown incredible resiliency and are still one of the better teams in the Western Conference. No matter how the season ends, it's been a hugely successful campaign for St. Louis City in the first year of a project that could very easily achieve as much or more in 2027.