Defending has been the focus for the Los Angeles Football Club during the long pause between MLS Cup playoff games.

After LAFC swept a first-round series against Austin FC on Nov. 2, head coach Steve Cherundolo would have loved to work with the full group to implement a tactical plan leading into the conference semifinal at Vancouver on Nov. 22.

But because most of the attackers were called up to their respective national teams, the extended FIFA break has felt a bit like treading water.

“This is the only time of the year where you have a full block, maybe a block and a half to implement a tactical plan,” the 46-year-old American coach said. “That gets robbed because of the international window. So, frustrating, but also it’s nice to take the pace out a little bit.”

Without Son Heung-m

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