Who Are LAFC? History, Stats & More
Budding out of Los Angeles, California, LAFC has been a part of Major League Soccer since 2018 and plays its home matches at BMO Stadium. LAFC has a strong and passionate fanbase and a talented roster that includes players like Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, and Brian Rodriguez.
In its short history, the club has already established itself as one of the top teams in MLS and has the potential to compete at the highest levels of American and international soccer.
History Of LAFC: Founded In 2014
LAFC was founded in 2014 and began playing as a team in Major League Soccer in 2018. In its short history, the club has already made a name for itself, winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2019 for having the best regular season record in the league.
Who Was The Founder Of LAFC?
LAFC was founded by a group of investors and business leaders, including names like Peter Guber, Henry Nguyen, Tom Penn, and Mia Hamm Garciaparra.
These individuals saw an opportunity to bring top-level soccer to Los Angeles and set out to build a club that would not only compete at the highest levels of the sport but also serves as a source of pride and community for the city and its residents. Today, LAFC continues to grow and thrive under the leadership of its owners and talented players and staff.
Q: Who founded LAFC?
Ans: LAFC was founded by a group of businessmen – Peter Guber, Henry Nguyen, Tom Penn, and Mia Hamm Garciaparra
Current President Of LAFC; Who Are Larry Freedman & John Thorrington?
John Thorrington and Larry Freedman serve as the club’s Co-Presidents since April 2021, earlier who had been serving in interim roles since August 2020.
John Thorrington was the first Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations when he joined the LAFC team. He also served as General Manager in 2015 and under his leadership, the team achieved multiple accolades in its first two seasons including breaking records for points and goals.
It also reached Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the 2018 semifinals hitting other records as well. In 2020, the team made history by defeating three Liga MX teams in the Concacaf Champions League.
LAFC’s Chief Business Officer, Larry Freedman was named the MLS 2019 and Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year. He was also a finalist for the 2020 World Football Summit Best Executive Award. Both amazing players bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their new roles and will certainly play a crucial role in shaping LAFC’s future success.
Stadium Of LAFC: BMO Stadium
BMO Stadium serves as the home venue for the Los Angeles Football Club. It is situated in the bustling city center of Los Angeles and holds the distinction of being the first open-air stadium to be constructed in the city in over three decades.
The stadium officially opened its doors to the public on April 29, 2018, and has since then established itself as one of the top soccer venues in the country. With a capacity of 22,000 fans, BMO Stadium is known for making it a challenging place for visiting teams to play and a formidable fortress for LAFC.
The stadium boasts a unique “safe-standing” area for supporters, luxury suites, and a range of top-notch amenities, making it an ideal place for soccer fans to enjoy the game and a true home-field advantage for LAFC.
Q: What is the name of LAFC’s stadium?
Ans: BMO Stadium is the home of LAFC.
Fans And Culture Of LAFC
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has a very wide fanbase, with some most passionate followers of Major League Soccer. They are collectively known as the “3252,” a reference to the number of supporters in the team’s North End supporters section at BMO Stadium.
LAFC has embraced its passionate fanbase and turned them into an integral part of the club’s identity, making them one of the most recognizable and unique fan groups in MLS.
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has developed a unique and inclusive culture that transcends the boundaries of the pitch and extends into the city of Los Angeles.
This is reflected in the team’s vibrant colors, bold crest, and “Black & Gold” identity. LAFC places a strong emphasis on community engagement and activism and regularly collaborates with local organizations and initiatives to make a positive impact in the city.
LAFC Key Individuals
Notable Players In The History Of LAFC
One of the most influential players in the club’s history is forward Carlos Vela, who was the first player signed by LAFC in August 2017. Vela found his footing and confidence in quick time, thus establishing himself as one of the best players in Major League Soccer (MLS).
He scored a record-tying 34 goals, which won him the MVP award in the 2019 regular season. Vela is known for his exceptional technical ability, clinical finishing, and creative attacking play.
Another important player in LAFC history is midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye, who joined the club in its inaugural season in 2018. Kaye quickly became an important player for the team, helping to anchor the midfield with his strong defensive work and clever passing. In 2019, he was named LAFC’s Player of the Year.
Best Manager In The History Of LAFC
Bob Bradley is widely regarded as the best manager in the history of the Los Angeles Football Club. Bradley was appointed as the club’s first-ever head coach in July 2017 and led LAFC to a remarkable start in its inaugural season, breaking multiple records.
Under Bradley’s leadership, LAFC quickly established itself as one of the top teams in MLS, breaking records for points in an expansion season and reaching the playoffs in its first year. The team continued to excel in subsequent seasons, reaching the CONCACAF Champions League final in 2020. Bradley’s success at LAFC has earned him a reputation as one of the top managers in the league and has helped to establish the club as a force in North American soccer.
LAFC Record Breakers
All-Time Top Scorers Of LAFC
Carlos Vela joined the club in 2018 and quickly established himself as a top player, breaking the MLS single-season goal-scoring record with 34 goals in 31 games which won him the MLS Most Valuable Player award.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF GOALS SCORED |
| Carlos Vela | 79 |
| Diego Rossi | 59 |
| Cristian Arango | 35 |
| Adama Diomande | 24 |
| Latif Blessing | 18 |
Q: Who has scored the most goals in LAFC’s history?
Ans: Carlos Vela has scored the most goals in LAFC history.
All-Time Top Assist Providers Of LAFC
Adding to his goal-scoring abilities, Carlos Vela’s playmaking ability is also out of the world. the roof mentions and has provided many assists for his LAFC teammates. During his time with the club, he has shown excellent vision, passing accuracy, and creativity on the field.
In the 2019 season, Vela recorded 15 assists in just 27 games, helping LAFC set a new MLS record for points in a single season. He has also been involved in many other goals for the team, showcasing his unselfish play and willingness to set up his teammates for scoring opportunities.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF ASSISTS |
| Carlos Vela | 43 |
| Eduard Atuesta | 23 |
| Diego Rossi | 22 |
| Latif Blessing | 18 |
| Mark-Anthony Kaye | 17 |
Q: Who has the most assists in LAFC history?
Ans: Carlos Vela is not the highest goal scorer in LAFC history but also has the most assists for this franchise.
Who Has The Most All-Time Appearances For LAFC?
Latif Blessing is a Ghanaian International player who currently plays for the New England Revolution in the MLS.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF APPEARANCES |
| Latif Blessing | 167 |
| Carlos Vela | 139 |
| Diego Rossi | 121 |
| Eduard Atuesta | 111 |
| Eddie Segura | 100 |
Most Expensive Transfers In The History Of LAFC
Arango played a huge role in leading the LAFC to win the MLS Cup in 2022. He was officially signed by the spoken-off franchise in August 2021.
| NAME | CLUB FROM | CLUB TO | TRANSFER AMOUNT |
| Cristian Arango | Millonarios | LAFC | $2.27M |
| Kellyn Acosta | Colorado | LAFC | $1.36M |
| Maxime Crepeau | Vancouver | LAFC | $909k |
| Franco Escobar | Atlanta | LAFC | $545k |
| Ismael Tajouri Shradi | Charlotte | LAFC | $364k |
Conclusion: Overview Of LAFC Legacy
In its short history, Los Angeles Football Club has established itself as one of the most successful and innovative clubs in Major League Soccer. The team has earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining teams in the league.
Off the field, LAFC has been a leader in technology and innovation, using cutting-edge data and analysis to help drive its success. Overall, LAFC’s legacy in its short history is that of a dynamic, forward-thinking club that has pushed the boundaries as far as North American soccer is concerned.
