View from the Blues, Volume 30: A Futile Week for Los Angeles

Fate could not prevent the Los Angeles Blues from garnering a difficult string of results this past week. After what seemed to be a sense of form for Charlie Naimo's side, it all came crashing down in the U.S. Open Cup against the Ventura County Fusion.

“The one thing you always know about Ventura is that they’re an extremely well-run organization,” Blues Head Coach Charlie Naimo told labluesprosoccer.com's Gunnar Berndt. “That tends to be reflected on the field, meaning we should expect a highly disciplined team that won’t be making a lot of mistakes.

"We’re going into the game with loads of respect for them, and no one is taking the task lightly. Hopefully our athleticism and fitness will be a huge factor in the contest.”

Easy for you to say, Mr. Naimo. The Blues were completely dominated by the Fusion, 3-1. The only goal scored was an own goal by Ventura County's Tim Pontius in the 14th minute. The match had to go into extra time before the Fusion finally solved the Blues' stalwart defending.

On Thursday, the Blues had their best result of the season—a 1-1 draw with Orlando City at the Citrus Bowl. Bright Dike, on loan with the Blues from the Portland Timbers, scored for Los Angeles in the 25th minute from Allan Russell.

However, it was back to their trademark losing ways when they lost to the Charleston Battery on Saturday, 1-0. The loss means that the Blues fall to 3-3-2 (11 points) and are 12 points off the pace set by Orlando.

Los Angeles's next match is on Friday, June 15 against the Dayton Dutch Lions. Kickoff at Titan Stadium on the campus of California State University, Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif. is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET.