Analyzing LAFC's Offseason Rebuild

Since the club's founding in 2014, it's fair to say that Los Angeles FC have enjoyed quite a busy decade in Major League Soccer. They finished with the best regular-season record in MLS during their second season in 2021. They won their second Supporters' Shield in 2022 and followed it up by winning the MLS Cup in the postseason. They finished as runners-up in the Concacaf Champions League in 2020 and 2023, and in 2024, they also won their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Black and Gold have also been able to field a host of big-name players. From Gareth Bale to Giorgio Chiellini to Carlos Vela, quite a few veteran superstars have been able to leave their mark at BMO Field and help LAFC become a powerhouse in MLS. The 2024 season would see LAFC lose to Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup Final and finish with the best record in the Western Conference, albeit level on 64 points with crosstown rivals LA Galaxy.

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However, it was the Galaxy who had the last laugh. LAFC were able to edge Vancouver Whitecaps across three legs to book their spot in the Conference Semifinals, where they faced off against Seattle Sounders. Ryan Hollingshead opened the scoring after halftime, but Seattle would equalize shortly after via an own goal from Maxime Chanot. Jordan Morris sealed the comeback in the 109th minute and knocked LAFC out of the playoffs in their own stadium, whilst the Galaxy would go on to win the MLS Cup.