LAFC upset in MLS playoffs after fans pelt Real Salt Lake keeper with debris

Los Angeles FC’s expansion season has gone about as smoothly as possible on the field, with the club easily qualifying for the MLS playoffs in its first year. But LAFC fans continue to cause problems off of it.

Thursday’s postseason match between LAFC and Real Salt Lake, eventually won 3-2 by RSL, was halted for five minutes in the first half when RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando was pelted with debris from the stands after Danilo Silva tied the knockout tilt at 1-1 a half-hour in. It marred a contest that will go down as an instant MLS classic.

The incident occurred shortly after Real’s Damir Kreilach had put the visitors in front with a slick finish inside the box:

Christian Ramirez vaulted the hosts ahead with a powerful blast into the top corner early in the second half:

But Kreilach then answered with an even better effort, karate-kicking the ball off the inside of the post before an own goal by LAFC defender Walker Zimmerman gave the visitors a famous and unexpected win:

It was a match that will live on in MLS lore, partly because of the ugly first half scenes that won’t be forgotten soon. Video from MLS’s official Twitter account clearly shows projectiles raining down on Rimando following Silva’s goal:

It’s not the first time that LAFC fans have gotten into trouble during the club’s maiden campaign. There were 19 ejections and six arrests made after an altercation between LAFC supporters and their LA Galaxy counterparts at match in July, during which Galaxy fans ripped up $7,500-worth of seats in the visiting section at LAFC’s Banc of California Stadium.

Afterward, LAFC reminded its supporters what sort of behavior is acceptable at its home games:

Apparently some fans didn’t get the message.

Rimando responds in good fun

Rimando, who took the brunt of the debris, made light of the situation Friday morning.

In ensuing tweets he used a rainbow and heart emoji in reply to a fan referencing the gay chants LAFC fans used and told followers not to let “a few salty fans take away what @LAFC brought to the league this year.”

Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.

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