LAFC looks like it might miss the postseason for the first time in its four-year history. They can’t blame the efforts of part-owner Will Ferrell, who tried to conjure Ted Lasso vibes during Tuesday night’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Vancouver. Not even the humor of two former SNL standouts and Coach Beard could rally Bob Bradley’s struggling squad.
With two games left to play heading into Tuesday, LAFC was three points behind rival LA Galaxy and Vancouver for the seventh and final playoff berth in the Western Conference, making the penultimate match of the season against the Whitecaps basically a must-win. So the club brought out celebrity owner Will Ferrell, and the former SNL funnyman was the honorary falconer before kickoff.
He's one of our own.
Thank you to Honorary Falconer and #LAFC Owner, Will Ferrell! Tonight's Falcon Flight is presented by @UOPX. pic.twitter.com/TBYY4XzkDV— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2021
Ferrell later said, probably jokingly, being the falconer was up there with the birth of his children as one of the best moments of his life.
Just before halftime, Ferrell went up to the press box to do some TV interviews, and it paid immediate dividends for LAFC, which equalized just before the break.
Winter
Spring
Summer
▶️ Fall#LAFCvVAN 1-1 pic.twitter.com/vExL2FOpQE— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2021
⚠️ THIS IS NOT A DRILL ⚠️
WILL FERRELL IS IN THE BOOTH.Tune in live on @BallySports SoCal pic.twitter.com/zHWo860FPR
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2021
With LAFC really needing a win, Bob Bradley could have turned to Ted Lasso for motivation since Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt were both pitch side at halftime. Instead, LAFC wasted the opportunity by having Ted Lasso and Coach Beard be interviewed by Ferrell at halftime.
"Confirming that I have no idea how a head coach can figure out anything that's happening." - Coach Beard
Will Ferrell + Jason Sudeikis + @brendanhunting. Nothing better. #LAFC x @TedLasso pic.twitter.com/NRh7giGyhe— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2021
I really thought Coach Beard’s insight of “I have no idea how a head coach can figure out anything that’s happening (from the pitch)” would help Bradley figure out his second-half tactics.
Alas, despite Ferrell staying in the booth to provide some C-level soccer commentary (which, if we’re being honest, is better than most anything Fox Sports ever produces), LAFC couldn’t find a winner in the second half, though it came close while Ferrell was on the call.
"That would have been... PERFECTION."
Will Ferrell was THIS CLOSE to calling the go-ahead goal!#LAFC | | @LAFC | : Bally Sports #SoCal pic.twitter.com/TLPqpySXrs— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) November 3, 2021
Ferrell isn’t the best soccer announcer in America, but I can think of a few announcers I wouldn’t mind being replaced by Ferrell. Maybe next season’s “Ted Lasso” can replace the self-absorbed Arlo White with the “Kicking & Screaming” star as the commentator for AFC Richmond matches.
The match ended 1-1, with Vancouver going into sixth place with 48 points, equal to Minnesota and one point ahead of the Galaxy with one game to play. LAFC is now in ninth on 45 points needing a Hail Mary to make the postseason. Real Salt Lake is in eighth, also on 45, but has a game in hand, Wednesday night at home to Portland, which clinched a playoff spot thanks to Tuesday’s draw.
LAFC will close out the season with a trip to Commerce City, Colorado, to play the third-place Rapids, who are still in the running for a bye into the second round by finishing atop the Western Conference. Vancouver hosts Seattle, the Galaxy host Minnesota and Salt Lake visits second-place Sporting KC on the final day.
Maybe Will Ferrell will travel to the shithole that is Commerce City to inspire LAFC to victory. Or maybe Bradley’s team will miss the playoffs for the first time. But at least Ferrell’s team is better off than Matthew McConaughey’s Austin FC, which is in a fight with fellow Texas teams FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo for the worst team in the West.
