Los Angeles FC is navigating a rare moment of vulnerability, facing a stretch of results that has sparked cautious conversation around the club’s current trajectory. After dropping two consecutive matches—a high-stakes exit from the Concacaf Champions Cup against Deportivo Toluca followed by a bruising 4-1 home defeat to the Houston Dynamo—the Black &. Gold are fighting to maintain their composure amid a demanding schedule.
While the losses have disrupted the team’s momentum, forward Nathan Ordaz is pushing back against the notion that the club is in a tailspin. In a candid assessment of the current state of the squad, Nathan Ordaz on LAFC: “When we lose two games, it’s a big problem,” noting that the internal pressure to succeed often makes standard fluctuations in form feel like a systemic crisis.
Despite the recent dip, LAFC remains a formidable force in the MLS Western Conference standings, currently holding third place. The club’s resilience is being tested not just by opponents, but by a grueling calendar that has seen them log 19 matches across all competitions in a short window. This workload includes 12 MLS fixtures and seven appearances in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a dual-front campaign that has begun to take a physical toll on the roster.
The Weight of High Expectations
For a club built on a culture of dominance, losing back-to-back games is an anomaly that invites intense scrutiny. Ordaz acknowledged that the recent results were disappointing, particularly the home loss to Houston, but insisted that the reaction to the slump has been overstated. He suggested that the “crisis” narrative is a byproduct of the high standards the organization sets for itself rather than a reflection of a decline in quality.
“Yeah, I think the last few games haven’t been solid for us,” Ordaz said. “We’re just trying to shake off a couple of bad results and get back to playing our game — staying positive and getting back to winning. We’re still near the top of the table, so it’s not like we’re in trouble.”
Ordaz further argued that the tendency to panic after two losses is a common trait in high-profile sports, but one that ignores the reality of a long season. “When we lose two games, it becomes a big deal, but a lot of teams lose two games,” he said. “It’s not the end of the world. We just hold ourselves to a higher standard. We’re going to try to improve and get back on track.”
Self-Inflicted Errors and Squad Fatigue
A recurring theme in LAFC’s recent struggles has been the nature of their defeats. Rather than being outclassed by superior tactical setups, Ordaz believes the losses have been the result of uncharacteristic lapses in concentration and execution. This internal critique suggests that the solution lies in mental discipline and recovery rather than a fundamental overhaul of the team’s approach.
“We always see ourselves as the best team,” Ordaz explained. “Even when we lose, we know it was probably something we did wrong, not something the other team did better. It just wasn’t our day, and we have to be better next time.”
The physical demands of the season cannot be ignored. With 19 matches already played, the squad is dealing with the inevitable attrition that comes with competing at the highest level in both league and continental play. The 6–3–3 record in MLS play reflects a team that is still highly competitive but perhaps lacks the clinical edge it possessed earlier in the year due to fatigue.
The Reset at Energizer Park
The upcoming trip to face St. Louis City SC at Energizer Park serves as a critical juncture for the club. LAFC enters the match with a historically dominant record against St. Louis, boasting five wins and two draws. A victory on Wednesday night would effectively silence the noise surrounding the recent slump and reaffirm the team’s status as a title contender.
However, the stakes are higher than just the three points. A third consecutive defeat would likely intensify questions regarding the team’s tactical direction and the management of the squad’s workload. For the players, the match is less about the opponent and more about reclaiming their identity.
The club’s ability to bounce back will depend on whether they can translate Ordaz’s optimism into on-field execution. By focusing on eliminating the self-inflicted mistakes that plagued their last two outings, LAFC aims to return to the winning ways that have defined their tenure in the league.
LAFC will look to snap their losing streak on Wednesday night in St. Louis. The result of this fixture will provide the clearest indication of whether the current slump is a temporary dip or a sign of deeper systemic fatigue.
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