Episode 118 – The Referee’s A Sounder! We are back for yet another September episode of Defenders of the Banc, and it’s another tough result for LAFC. LAFC makes their way up to the Emerald City to take on the defending champs, and, unbeknownst to them, the referee, as well. It’s a 3-0 loss to the champs, and it’s Episode 118 of Defenders of the Banc. LAFC started out well, and it was punch/counterpunch for the first 25 minutes or so. Solid chances by both sides wiped away by errant touches or an offside call, and one solid save by Pablo Sisniega. In the 27th minute, things took a bit of a turn as Dejan Jakovic was called for a handball that everyone in the building missed the first time around. Nico Lodeiro slots it home and LAFC are down early, yet again, 1-0. Just five minutes pass before referee Joseph Dickinson switches out his yellow PRO referee top for rave green, as Latif Blessing is whistled for a foul in the box that is literally never actually called a foul except for tonight, and one more Nico Lodeiro PK later, it’s 2-0. The sky is falling along with the rain in Seattle. LAFC looked to regroup after the half and bringing on both Andy Najar and Eduard Atuesta seemed to do the trick. Play improved and passes tightened up a bit, but LAFC was still having trouble creating meaningful chances. To further the Black and Gold frustration, a clear handball on Seattle wasn’t just missed, there was also no call to review it. Turnabout couldn’t even lead to fair play. A crisp connection between Joao Paulo and Raul Ruidiaz late in the match salted things away for Seattle, and it’s another punchless, shutout loss for LAFC in September. Also, on this episode, a significant PK makes its way into This Day In LAFC History, Hello Kitty stops by, Filly learns the word pejorative, and for much of the episode, it’s actually Scarf who sounds like the optimist. We celebrate both Hispanic Heritage Month and Rosh Hashanah while Beita Time returns to MLS. The boys remember their “Wait, What?!” moment of the podcast, and it’s not Kenneth Vermeer’s FIFA 21 rating, Filly quotes Dolly Parton, and Scarf helps the haters on social media do some good with their awful hot takes. Lick your wounds quickly, Defenders, as LAFC heads back home to take on the Whitecaps in just 5 days! We hope you enjoy Episode 118 of Defenders of the Banc!