Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Kim Moon Hwan shook off an earl-season injury be become a key player in LAFC’s backline this past season.
In 2021, it seemed whatever could go wrong for LAFC did go wrong.
After a three-year stretch dating back to its inaugural season back in 2018 in which LAFC won a Supporters’ Shield and made the playoffs in all three years of existence, LAFC fell back to Earth this past season, and the consequences have been felt throughout this off-season, such as the decision by management to part ways with head coach Bob Bradley and key players being transferred overseas, something that had been in place even during the season.
A litany of factors contributed to LAFC missing the playoff for the first time in franchise history, such as injuries to key players such as star forward Carlos Vela. However. two other factors also contributed to LAFC’s substandard season. One factor was a lack of goal scoring; and another was an inability to get key stops on defense.
During its 2019 Supporters’ Shield season, LAFC scored a whopping 85 goals and scored more than two goals in 21 of 34 regular season matches that year. This season, LAFC only scored 53 goals and scored more than two goal in just five matches.A major factor in LAFC’s offensive slowdown was the absence of Carlos Vela, who missed 20 games this season due to injury. In what apparently became a sign of things to come for both Vela and LAFC this season, Vela was subbed out in the 22nd minute of LAFC’s season opener against Austin FC due to injury, but Vela acted surprised to be taken out and Bradley acknowledged he erred in believing Vela needed to come out of that match aside from possibly shaking off the pain and eventually going back into the match. Vela still missed time, made his return against Seattle on May 16, but injured his right quad on July 24 against Vancouver, missed about three months and did not return until Nov. 2 against Seattle.
Of course it wasn’t just its shortcomings on offense that plagued the team, it was also its shortcomings on defense that also played a role. Going back to its 2019 season, even during the games where LAFC was not lighting up the back net, LAFC’s defense was still good enough to keep opposing offenses at bay. Not so much this season, as LAFC either fell behind in matches early and had to play catchup, or took leads in matches, but were unable to hold those leads.
Perhaps no match better illustrated LAFC’s defensive struggles (and perhaps its 2021 season) than the match against Minnesota United back on July 28 at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC held a 2-1 lead deep into stoppage time and seemed certain to get three points that would’ve have surely boosted LAFC’s confidence and got them ready for a stretch run to get themselves back in the playoff picture. Instead, Minnesota scored at the death to deny LAFC the full three points, sending a shell-shocked LAFC back to square one.
The injury bug also bit LAFC’s backline. LAFC was without the player slated to be the starting right back, Kim Moon Hwan, to start the season, though once he did return and get into the lineup, showed his abilities. LAFC also lost starting center back Eddie Segura to a torn ACL and defensive midfielder Eduard Atuesta also missed time. Another factor for LAFC’s subpar season was the revolving door between the pipes, as LAFC went through three different keepers and will head into the offseason looking for consistency at the position.
LAFC now heads into a very important offseason. New faces in the starting 11 are certain, something that had been in motion even during the season. Back in July, the team traded central midfielder and LAFC original Mark-Anthony Kaye to the Colorado Rapids, then transferred forward Diego Rossi to Turkish side Fenerbache. Also on Monday, LAFC announced that Atuesta will be moving on as well, joining Brazilian side Palmeiras.
New players did come in for LAFC during the season, and no new player was more impactful than the arrival of striker Cristian Arango from Colombian side Millonarios. Arango joined LAFC in August and immediately made his impact felt, scoring 14 goals in just 17 games, and his presence in LAFC’s attack went a long way towards keeping LAFC in the playoff chase well into the final week. Also LAFC got a breakout seasons from Jose Cifuentes, who established himself in the central midfield and center back Jesus David Murillo, who made the all-star team alongside Atuesta and Rossi.
Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Cristian Arango immediately made an impact for LAFC, scoring 14 goals in just 17 matches.
But perhaps no transaction will matter more for LAFC this winter than the person it hires to be its next head coach. The team opted not to renew its contract with Bob Bradley, meaning LAFC is now in the hunt for a new coach. Bradley has since found a new job, taking the head coaching position with Toronto FC, a move that reunites him with his son, Michael Bradley. LAFC must now find the man that can revive the franchise in 2022. The foundation is still there for LAFC, with Arango, Latiff Blessing, Brian Rodriguez, Vela’s option being picked up, at least through the summer of 2022, Cifuentes in the midfield and a backline of Murillo, Segura, Kim Moon Hwan and Diego Palacios. LAFC will have to find another forward to replace Rossi, though they will have the advantage of an open designated player spot, as well as open spots in the midfield and the keeper position. LAFC will now have to find a manager that can put it all back together for the franchise in 2022.
