An inspired first foray into Major League Soccer saw LAFC score 68 goals, win 16 matches and host a postseason game in 2018. Not bad at all for the new kids on the block; FC Cincinnati would love to find that level of instant success this season. But from the moment the final whistle blew against Real Salt Lake on November 2nd, the moves that LAFC general manager John Thorrington have made to retool for 2019 have been been predominantly focused on the weakest area of the team: the defense.



LAFC left 12 points on the field in 2018 thanks to its inability to close out matches, with eight second half leads turned to ties or losses in the regular season and playoffs combined. In all, LAFC gave up 52 goals 2018, the second-highest tally among the 12 playoff teams. Only Real Salt Lake allowed more, but even they were able to break through LAFC’s defense when it mattered most in the knockout round.



Despite the struggles of 2018, LAFC has opted to stick with the same...