| Clubname: | Los Angeles FC |
| Nickname: | The Black and Gold[1] |
| Short Name: | LAFC |
| Stadium: | Los Angeles, California |
| Capacity: | 22,000 |
| Owntitle: | Managing owners |
| Chrtitle: | Executive Chairman |
| Mgrtitle: | President |
| Coach: | Steve Cherundolo |
| League: | Major League Soccer |
| Season: | 2024 |
| Position: | Western Conference 1st |
| American: | true |
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| Current: | 2024 Los Angeles FC season |
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Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is an American professional soccer club based in Los Angeles. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. It was established on October 30, 2014, and began play during the 2018 season as an expansion team. The team plays its home matches at BMO Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium located in Exposition Park.
The managing owners of the club are Brandon Beck, Larry Berg, and Bennett Rosenthal. Los Angeles FC also has a variety of other part-owners, such as Will Ferrell. The club's inaugural head coach was Bob Bradley, who served from 2017 to 2021. During their second season in 2019, Los Angeles FC won the Supporters' Shield with club captain Carlos Vela earning the MVP Award. The club won their first MLS Cup in 2022, which completed a league double with their second Supporters' Shield. In 2020 and 2023, Los Angeles FC were also the runners-up in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Since they started playing, Los Angeles FC have had a fierce rivalry with the LA Galaxy, from Carson, California, the closest MLS teams. The rivalry between the two clubs has been dubbed El Tráfico by the supporters of both clubs, a humorous play on El Clásico.
Los Angeles FC was founded on October 30, 2014, as a result of Major League Soccer (MLS) awarding a new expansion team to Los Angeles after the complete dissolution of Chivas USA.[2] On September 15, 2015, the club announced that Los Angeles Football Club, which had previously been used as a placeholder name for the club, would be the official team name.[3] Henry Nguyen, Los Angeles FC's principal owner at the time, hinted at this possibility shortly after the club was announced in describing the name as "timeless".[4]
LAFC announced Bob Bradley as its head coach in July 2017,[5] joining general director John Thorrington in a search for players.[6] Mexican forward Carlos Vela was signed as the club's first designated player on August 11, 2017.[7]
On March 4, 2018, LAFC played its first MLS game, a 1–0 win against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. LAFC designated player Diego Rossi scored the club's first competitive goal in the 11th minute, assisted by Vela.[8] LAFC suffered its first MLS loss on March 31 against the LA Galaxy, losing 4–3 to their crosstown rivals in the inaugural edition of "El Tráfico".[9] [10] Despite the loss, LAFC won 4 of the 6 games on their road trip to start the season, becoming the first team to earn 12 points from a season opening road trip of 6 games or more.[11] They finished the season with 7 road wins which is the most for an expansion team in the post-shootout era.[12]
LAFC accomplished the best regular season for an MLS expansion team, earning 57 points. The total surpassed the 56 picked up the 1998 Chicago Fire, also coached by Bob Bradley, as well as the post-shootout era record of 55 set in 2017 by Atlanta United FC.[13] LAFC's seven road wins also tied for the most ever by an expansion team in the pre or post shootout-era with the '98 Fire who had two road wins come via the shootout. They finished second all-time in goals scored by an expansion team in a season, with 68, just behind Atlanta's 70.
On October 6, 2018, LAFC clinched its first playoff spot after a 3–0 victory against the Colorado Rapids[14] finishing third in the West, but were knocked out at home in the first round in a 3–2 loss to sixth-place Real Salt Lake.[15]
See also: 2020 CONCACAF Champions League final.
LAFC won the 2019 Supporters' Shield with a record-setting 72 points; Carlos Vela won the MLS Golden Boot with a league-record 34 goals and was also named the league MVP. In the playoffs, LAFC defeated the LA Galaxy for the first time and advanced to the Western Conference Final. They were eliminated there by the Seattle Sounders.[16]
Los Angeles FC qualified for CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in 2020. After going down 2–0 in the first leg against Club León, LAFC came back and won 3–0 in the second leg, advancing (3–2 on aggregate) to the round of 16.[17] Shortly after that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was put on hold. When the tournament resumed in December, under a new one-off format, Los Angeles FC defeated Cruz Azul (2–1) after going down 1–0. In the semi-finals LAFC defeated Club América (3–1), again in comeback fashion.[18] They became the third MLS side to advance to the Final, where they were defeated by Tigres UANL (2–1), who had been runners-up in previous editions of the tournament, and who went on to become the runners-up in the Club World Cup.[19] [20]
The 2020 MLS season was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed with the MLS is Back Tournament, a special tournament with all teams at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. In the group stage, LAFC earned five points and qualified for the knockout rounds. The team defeated Seattle Sounders FC but lost to Orlando City SC in a penalty shoutout. The regular season resumed after the tournament with matches played behind closed doors. LAFC saw 47 goals with 14 coming from Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi. The team finished with a 9–8–5 and were eliminated in the playoffs by Seattle Sounders FC.[21]
LAFC rebuilt their roster for much of the 2021 MLS season and missed the MLS Cup playoffs. Diego Rossi was transferred to Fenerbahçe S.K. in September 2021.[22] Carlos Vela was injured for most of the year and only appeared in 27 matches during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.[23] After missing the playoffs, Bob Bradley was fired as head coach on November 18, 2021.[24] He was replaced by Steve Cherundolo, the head coach of the team's USL affiliate Las Vegas Lights FC, on January 3, 2022.[25]
See main article: MLS Cup 2022.
LAFC spent the majority of the 2022 MLS season pushing for the league's all-time points record (73, set the previous year), but had five losses in their final nine matches. The team finished with 67 points and won their second Supporters' Shield, but fell short of the record. This total was equal with the Philadelphia Union, who lost the Shield on a wins tiebreaker. LAFC defeated the Galaxy in the conference semifinals before knocking out Austin FC to advance to their first MLS Cup.[26] [27]
Los Angeles FC won the 2022 MLS Cup by defeating the Union in a penalty shootout following a 3–3 draw through extra time. The two latest goals in MLS Cup Playoffs history were scored in the match, with Gareth Bale scoring an equalizer in the 128th minute to take the match to penalties, which LAFC won 3–0. LAFC substitute goalkeeper John McCarthy made two saves in the shootout and was named the most valuable player of the match.[28]
Coming out of the successes of the 2022 campaign, Los Angeles FC had qualified to the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. The team had a congested schedule with the Champions League and U.S. Open Cup taking most of the breaks from regular season play in the first half of the season. MLS also had introduced the Leagues Cup. LAFC finished as runners-up in MLS Cup 2023 to the Columbus Crew[29] and the CONCACAF Champions League to Club León.[30] The team traveled over 63000miles over the course of the season and played 53 matches—a record for an MLS team during a single year.[31]
See main article: 2023 CONCACAF Champions League final. During the team's 2023 season, Los Angeles had advanced to the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League final for the club's second time in four years. Their road to the finals consisted of victories against Alajuelense, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Philadelphia Union. LA had faced Club León in the final, who the team had faced before in the tournament. Los Angeles were the favorites, heading to their matches. Despite Bouanga scoring a late goal, to keep the team's chances of winning the final, Leon had bested LA 3–1 aggregate in their second match at home.
See main article: 2024 U.S. Open Cup final.
LAFC qualified to the 2024 U.S. Open Cup and began their campaign in the Round of 32.[32] Their first opponent was against USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC where after chippy play, LAFC came out victorious 3-1 at Cashman Field.[33] In the Round of 16, LAFC played at home as they faced USL Championship side Loudoun United FC. LAFC easily beat the team 3-0 to move on to the Quarterfinals.[34] Their next opponent, was the leading USL Championship side New Mexico United. LAFC would go on to win the match 3-1.[35] The Semifinal round brought LAFC to play against their rivals Seattle Sounders FC. The match was very defensive with no goals until Denis Bouanga scored a penalty kick on the 83rd minute securing a LAFC win.[36] With the victory, LAFC would be the third team along with San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers to beat the Seattle Sounders at the 5,000 seater Starfire Sports Complex where the Sounders had a fortress record of 25-1-3.[37]
As a result of winning against Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles FC would advance to the U.S. Open Cup Final to face Sporting Kansas City at home.[38] The first half of the final would see both sides not scoring. That would change in the 2nd half as Olivier Giroud at the 53rd minute would take a successful header from a cross by Mateusz Bogusz to make it 1-0. At the 60th minute Sporting Kansas would respond with a goal by Erik Thommy making it 1-1. The game would go on to extra time where at the 102nd minute Omar Campos would take a shot after beating a defender to make it 2-1. Kansas City would not recover especially after Kei Kamara would take a header to make it 3-1 at the 109th minute.[39] LAFC would then go on to win the 2024 U.S. Open Cup becoming the fourth team from the Los Angeles area to win the U.S. Open Cup, following the Los Angeles Kickers, Maccabee Los Angeles, and LA Galaxy.[40]
The Dewar Cup was presented by three members of the Los Angeles Kickers, an amateur team that won the 1958 and 1964 editions of the tournament.[41]
The club's colors and logo were unveiled on January 7, 2016, at Union Station.[42] [43] The club's primary colors are black and gold, with red and gray used as accent colors. The Art Deco-inspired logo incorporates a shield outline referencing the city seal, with a winged "LA" monogram and the words "Los Angeles" and "Football Club" in Neutraface. The crest was designed by Matthew Wolff.[44]
On January 31, 2018, LAFC announced that YouTube TV would be the club's first official shirt sponsor in addition to exclusively broadcasting the club's local matches in English.[45] [46] Target was announced as their first sleeve sponsor in October 2019.[47]
On March 26, 2021, upon the expiration of its sponsorship contract with YouTube TV, LAFC announced that FLEX, a power tool manufacturer headquartered in Steinheim an der Murr, Germany, would replace YouTube TV as the main shirt sponsor for the club.[48] Four days later, on March 30, 2021, the club announced that Postmates would become the second official sleeve sponsor (joining Target) on a one-year deal for the entirety of the 2021 season.[49] Shortly thereafter, LAFC announced that YouTube TV no longer held exclusive broadcasting rights over English language home matches. Instead, the club chose to partner with two local networks for all English language home games beginning that season.[50]
For the club's the 2022 season, LAFC announced on February 26, 2022, that it had partnered with PepsiCo to make Rockstar energy drink the exclusive shirt sponsor of its 2022 training kit.[51] The agreement expired at the end of the season.[52]
Prior to the 2023 season, on June 14, 2022, MLS announced a new media rights partnership with Apple giving the tech giant exclusive broadcast rights to all league games via its streaming service, Apple TV+, for the next 10 seasons.[53] To promote this new partnership, as well as their new streaming service entitled MLS Season Pass, both MLS and Apple agreed to have the Apple TV+ logo appear on the left kit sleeve of all league teams beginning with the 2023 season.[54] Additionally, Ford, LAFC's Official Domestic Automobile Partner, joined the club's top tier of sustained brand sponsorships - the "Golden Boot Club" - for the 2023 season. This enhanced partnership included Ford receiving promonent logo placement on the team's right kit sleeve.[55]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | Adidas[56] | YouTube TV | — |
| 2020 | Target | ||
| 2021 | FLEX | Target Postmates | |
| 2022 | Target | ||
| 2023 | Ford | ||
| 2024–present | BMO Bank[57] |
See main article: BMO Stadium.
On May 17, 2015, the team chose the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena site to build a 22,000-seat stadium for MLS in Exposition Park, estimated to cost $250 million. The site was under a sublease from the University of Southern California which managed and operated the Sports Arena and adjacent L.A. Memorial Coliseum.[58] The environmental impact report, arena demolition, and stadium construction were expected to take three years and delay the team's debut to 2018. On May 6, 2016, the Los Angeles City Council approved the stadium, clearing a way for the construction of the stadium.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 23, 2016. At the event attended by owners and construction crews, LAFC announced a 15-year, $100 million naming rights deal for the stadium with the Banc of California.[59] [60] [61] Demolition of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena began shortly after the groundbreaking and was completed by October 2016.[62] [63]
The first public event at the stadium was an open practice and dedication ceremony held on April 18, 2018.[64] The club's first home match was played on April 29, 2018, against Seattle Sounders FC, with the home side winning 1–0.[65] [66] The lone goal was scored by Laurent Ciman in stoppage time in front of a capacity crowd of 22,000. The stadium was renamed to BMO Stadium on January 19, 2023.[67]
Los Angeles FC's training facility is on the California State University, Los Angeles campus as part of a partnership with the university that began in 2017. The LAFC Performance Center includes 4000square feet of indoor space and a training field with the same grass as the team's home stadium.[68]
After the launch, supporters were consulted on many of the club's early decisions including the team colors, the look of the crest and the design of BMO Stadium, built on land previously held by the LA Sports Arena.[69] Much of the marketing focus was to millennials, which led to the decision to play near downtown Los Angeles.[70] LAFC took a grassroots approach to building the club by founding the LAFC academy and signing younger prospects including Americans Walker Zimmerman and Tristan Blackmon, Portuguese draft pick João Moutinho,[71] and Uruguayan prospect Diego Rossi.
LAFC supporters are known collectively as "The 3252". The official capacity of the safe standing supporters section at BMO Stadium is 3,252. When added together, the numbers 3, 2, 5, 2 equal 12, serving as a reference to "the 12th man", and an homage to the supporters of the team. Composed of a variety of supporters groups, The 3252 is the club's independent supporters union, which encompasses a growing number of affiliate supporter groups and independent supporters with active season memberships.[72] [73]
The club's falcon program includes three live falcons who participate in various gameday and community events. One falcon is released pre-game by an honorary falconer (usually a celebrity or community figure) and flies around the stadium. The first honorary falconer was co-owner Will Ferrell.[74] The three falcons are named after famous streets in Los Angeles: "Olly" (Olvera Street), "Fig" (Figueroa Street), and "Mel" (Melrose Avenue).[75]
See also: El Tráfico.
LAFC have a cross-town rivalry with fellow MLS club LA Galaxy, who play in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson. The series between the two teams is known as El Tráfico[76] (Spanish for "The Traffic"), conversely, Spanish-language speakers and media commonly refer to it as the Clásico del Tráfico[77] [78] (English for the "Traffic Classic"). The nickname was coined by MLS fans and adopted by some media outlets following polls by SB Nation blogs LAG Confidential and Angels on Parade.[79] [80] [81] It refers to the notorious traffic congestion in Los Angeles,[82] among the worst in the United States and the world, while serving as a play on "El Clásico".[83] The rivalry has also been called the "Los Angeles Derby",[84] a moniker that was also used for the SuperClasico.[85]
LAFC's first game ever played was a 1–0 win at CenturyLink Field over Seattle Sounders FC on March 4, 2018, marking the earliest starting point of any of LAFC's on-field rivalries. LAFC's first home game at Banc of California Stadium was also a 1–0 win over Seattle, ending in dramatic fashion with a 92nd-minute goal. The next season Seattle got its revenge, defeating LAFC for the first time in the 2019 Western Conference Finals, bringing L.A.'s record-setting season to an end.[86] Beyond these touchstone moments, the rivalry has carried on players,[87] coaches,[88] [89] and supporters.
In 2016, three local investors—Brandon Beck, Larry Berg and Bennett Rosenthal—took over as managing owners of the club with Berg serving as lead managing owner.[90] [91] As of 2017, chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group and entrepreneur Peter Guber is executive chairman, and venture capitalist Henry Nguyen is vice-chairman.[92] The ownership group in 2019 also included businessman Ruben Gnanalingam. Other part-owners and investors include Will Ferrell, Natalie Mariduena, Nomar Garciaparra, Mia Hamm-Garciaparra, Chad Hurley, Magic Johnson, Joseph Tsai,[93] Tucker Kain, Kirk Lacob, Mitch Lasky, Mark Leschly, Mike Mahan, Irwin Raij, Tony Robbins, Lon Rosen, Paul Schaeffer, Brandon Schneider, Allen Shapiro, Mark Shapiro, Jason Sugarman, Harry Tsao, and Rick Welts.[94] [95]
In February 2020, LAFC owners began the process of buying out a 20 percent ownership stake held by Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan. The buyout resulted in a $700 million valuation for the club, the largest on record for a Major League Soccer team at the time.[96]
From 2023, every LAFC match is available via MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, in addition to select matches simulcast linearly on Fox or FS1. Prior to this all-streaming deal, LAFC aired matches on a few stations and one other streaming platform.
In 2021 and 2022, all locally broadcast LAFC matches were televised in English by KCOP. Max Bretos served as the team's lead play-by-play announcer[97]
YouTube TV carried live games for the team from 2018 to 2020. It marked the first time that a major U.S. professional sports team sold their regional broadcast rights to an online streaming service rather than a traditional television broadcaster or regional sports network.[98]
Prior to Apple, locally broadcast LAFC matches were televised in Spanish on Estrella TV station KRCA, with Francisco X. Rivera as the lead play-by-play announcer.[99] Regular local radio coverage of LAFC matches is provided in English by KSPN (ESPNLA 710), with Dave Denholm serving as the radio play-by-play announcer. Spanish radio broadcasts are provided by KFWB (980), with Armando Aguayo as the play-by-play announcer.[100] The club also partners with KIRN (670) as part of the station's weekly sports report.[101]
See also: All-time Los Angeles FC roster.