The 2021 season has started, and, in typical LAFC fashion, the boys in Black and Gold open with a win at home! Austin FC kicks off their professional lives with a match at the Banc, and the lads from Texas would leave the match green with envy over the 3 points won by LAFC.  The match started with an incredible tribute to Mo Fascio, both from the club and the 3252. A moment of silence was followed by a moving video tribute to Mo, and the 3252 produced a heartfelt tifo. On the national TV broadcast, Stu Holden and the rest of the broadcast had wonderful things to say in Mo’s memory, and both MLS and Commissioner Don Garber again tweeted about the tributes. Mo, we will continue to honor your memory, your energy and passion, and your mission to unite people through the world’s game. In a bit of a surprise, the first of many over the course of about 30 hours, LAFC cut ties with oft-starting keeper Kenneth Vermeer, thus finally ending the year-long saga of which goalie will start between the pipes. (Hint: Pablo looked GREAT tonight!) Andy Najar apparently isn’t injured anymore, but he’s also in the nation’s capital, taking the pitch with former LAFC’er Adrien Perez.More importantly, however, was our chance to socially-distance ourselves at the Banc with 4,400 of our closest friends. Austin FC, or as we affectionately refer to them as, FC Broccoli, begins their life as an MLS franchise by entering the Cathedral of the Black and Gold, Banc of California Stadium, to pick up their first loss in club history. It didn’t start out well for LAFC. A hamstring issue kept last year’s Golden Boot winner, Diego Rossi, off the pitch, while a miscommunication between Carlos Vela and the coaches led to Vela being subbed in just the 22’. No Vela, no Rossi, and no Rayito? All right, all right, all right! LAFC got to work, and stellar back line play coupled with goals from Corey Baird and Mahala helped the Black and Gold to open the season right for a 2-0 win. Also on the podcast, our “Wait, What?!” moment makes its triumphant return! What leads Maurice Edu’s birthday shoutout to become a good, old-fashioned “Rants with Filly”? Which player made their LAFC debut, almost four years since being traded away from LAFC? Where was Matthew McConaughey? And which member of the pod had no idea about pager code or the significance of the numbers “143?” You’ll have to listen to Episode 142 to find out! It’s a win to kick off the season, and another fun episode of “The Most LAFC Podcast on Earth!”