LAFC: The stars behind the powerhouse
- The team has been one of MLS' best since inaugural 2018 campaign
- The Black and Gold have picked up three major trophies so far
- LAFC take on Columbus Crew in 2023 MLS Cup final
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Few MLS sides have been more successful than LAFC since their inaugural 2018 season, and several star players have been key to their boom in recent years.
Each team in MLS relies on their Designated Players to show up and show out every week to win at home and pick up points on the road, and the Black and Gold are no different. The 2022 MLS Cup champions currently have just two DPs on their roster, but those two alone have carried the team over the last year or so.
Here are just a few of the players that have helped LAFC conquer MLS in their short history...
Carlos Vela
Where else to start with LAFC than Carlos Vela?
The former Mexico international has become one of the best players in league history for the Black and Gold since joining in 2018 from La Liga side Real Sociedad. In 152 league appearances, Vela has notched 78 goals and 58 assists to propel LAFC to two Supporters' Shields and one MLS Cup in 2022.
Whether it be on the wing or up front and center, Vela has continued to get it done for the LAFC. In 2023, his play declined some even though he played all 34 games (23 starts). His nine goals and 12 assists in MLS are solid numbers, but his contract is set to expire at the end of December, leaving the club with a difficult decision to make for their best-ever player.
Denis Bouanga
In front of goal, there were none better than Denis Bouanga in 2023.
He got off to a slow start in his first few appearances off the bench in 2022 before making an impact in the postseason, but it's been a completely different story this term. The 28-year-old took home the Golden Boot award over Newcomer of the Year Giorgos Giakouamkias and MVP Lucho Acosta in his 21-goal season to propel LAFC to a third place finish in the Western Conference standings.
Bouanga has continued to deliver throughout the postseason scoring four goals in four games in this year's playoffs to send LAFC back to MLS Cup final. He's become a nightmare for defenses across the league, and Columbus Crew's Rudy Camacho and Steven Moreira will have their hands full in the final.
Maxime Crepeau
No, it's not Ilie Sanchez, and no, it's not Giorgio Chiellini. It's the Black and Gold's first-choice shot-stopper, Maxime Crepeau.
Crepeau has returned to top form after suffering a brutal fractured leg in last year's final, making his first leauge start in 2023 on September 16 vs LA Galaxy, where his side triumphed 4-2 on the night. Prior to his first league appearance of the season, he spent ample time on the first team's bench and also made several start in MLS Next Pro for LAFC 2.
Since coming back into the starting XI, Crepeau has been a game-changer, especially in the postseason. He kept a clean sheet in LAFC's 1-0 road triumph to sweep Vancouver Whitecaps, his former club, in the first round of the playoffs. Crepeau then followed that up by a seven-save performance in the conference semifinals vs Seattle Sounders and a five-save showing against Houston Dynamo in the conference final, proving to be vital to the team's success.
Should LAFC go on to secure their second straight MLS Cup title, you can bet on the likes of Crepeau, Bouanga and Vela playing their part to bring the trophy home to BMO Stadium.
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