Does LAFC have an encore in store for 2023?
Just about everything that could go right for LAFC in 2022 went right. New head coach Steve Cherundolo brought a new and fresh perspective to the locker room, and the team fed of it, starting out the season strong, then bolstered by the mid-season acquisitions of Gareth Bale and Denis Bouanga, won its second Supporters Shield, but unlike in 2019, when it could not finish the job, falling to the Seattle Sounders in that year’s Western Conference Final, LAFC got over the finish line last year, routing Austin FC in the Conference Final, then defeating the Philadelphia Union in a classic MLS Cup Final in front of a raucous home crowd at Banc of California Stadium.
So what can LAFC do for an encore in 2023? Well, it will have an immediate shot at a major trophy starting this week, when it kicks off its CONCACAF Champions League run with a trip to Costa Rica for the first leg against Alajuelense. From a roster standpoint, despite some key departures, LAFC still has the pieces in place to contend for another championship.
Gone from the team are MLS Cup hero Gareth Bale, the famed Welsh international whose header deep in stoppage time of the final against Philadelphia kept LAFC’s title hopes alive. Bale, who retired after leading Wales in the World Cup, etched himself forever into LAFC lore with that late header. Also gone is striker Chicho Arango, now with Liga MX side Pachuca. Arango in 51 MLS matches scored 30 goals, but at times found himself on the outside of a loaded forward rotation. LAFC also bid an emotional farewell to original forward Latiff Blessing, who was traded to the New England Revolution in the offseason.
Despite those losses, LAFC still features a loaded roster with the ability to raise another banner. The aforementioned forward rotation features the likes of team leader Carlos Vela, also the team’s only remaining original player, as well as Bouanga and Kwadao Opoku, who had a breakout season in 2022. The midfield will feature dead ball specialist Kellyn Acosta, Ilie Sanchez and Jose Cifuentes, though rumors have also swirled about interest from abroad in his services. The back line will have the legendary Italian Giorgio Chiellini, versatile defender Ryan Hollingshead, center back Jesus David Murillo and left back Diego Palacios. Also during the offseason, LAFC bolstered the defense by adding veteran center back Aaron Long.
At keeper will feature another MLS Cup Hero. John McCarthy, who came in as an emergency backup after Maxime Crepeau injured his leg in the final, stepped up and also established himself in LAFC lore, as he denied two penalties in the shootout and walked away with MLS Cup MVP honors. McCarthy will be counted upon to fill in at keeper as Crepeau continues his recovery from his leg injury. And if that wasn’t enough to worry it’s 2023 opponents, LAFC has an open Designated Player spot, meaning it will have a major chip to further improve its team, most likely in the Summer transfer window if it chooses to do so.
LAFC sent a reminder to the rest of the league on Saturday afternoon that it is not done competing for trophies. LAFC defeated the Portland Timbers in its season opener at home; the renamed BMO Stadium. LAFC jumped out to a tree goal lead, and though Portland made them sweat it out in the end, LAFC was still able to get the victory.
