What does LAFC look like without Gareth Bale?

As LAFC begins its title defense next month, it will be without one of the biggest stars in global soccer and one of the biggest stars to play in the MLS. Gareth Bale announced his retirement at the age of 33 earlier this week. Bale is well-known in the soccer world, as player who won almost every trophy he could abroad, who had a remarkable 2022 to close out his career. 

He led Wales to its first World Cup appearance since 1958, scoring in his nation's opening draw against the U.S. in November. He will forever be etched in LAFC lore for helping the club grab its first MLS Cup due to his game-tying header in the dying seconds of extra time in the final, leading to the PK sequence in which the Black & Gold triumphed. 

But even with his help in the MLS Cup final, LAFC may be happy with Bale’s decision to hang up his cleats — because the future of the club is better without Bale in it.  

Bale signed with LAFC midway through the 2022 season. He finished with 12 appearances, including two starts, and scored two goals in regular-season play. He only logged 23 minutes in the post-season, but every LAFC fan out there was glad to see those and the goal that resulted from his limited time on the pitch. 

His retirement means the club won't have to worry about extending him in June, and it keeps a Designated Player spot free. If the club accepted his option, it would have elevated Bale to designated player status, potentially creating a roster-building headache. 

Without the Welsh superstar, LAFC still has one of the scariest attacking fronts in the league — Chicha Arango, Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela emerged as the go-to starting three by season's end. With their skill sets, these players mesh better with each other than with Bale. Without Bale on the field, it gives more space for Vela to work on the right wing, and Vela is less of a defensive liability than Bale was. 

Last season, Arango – who plays the No. 9 position – led the team with 16 goals and had five assists in 34 appearances. 

Bale's retirement may benefit Vela most. In 32 appearances and 28 starts, Vela had 12 goals and led the team with 11 assists — making over 30 appearances since 2019 in a new playmaking role. 

Bouanga is another dynamic winger who will have his first season with the club in 2023. In just seven appearances, he had a goal and a 30.8 accurate shooting percentage.

Beyond its three stars up top, LAFC has attacking depth off the bench due to breakout youngster Mahala Opoku. In 34 games played last season, Opoku had seven goals, three assists and an 84.2 passing percentage. Just 21 years old, Opoku may only grow to be more impactful for LAFC and push his way into an even larger role.

On top of Opoku, the team signed Croatian international Stipe Biuk. Biuk, at age 20, has made 66 appearances across all competitions for the Croatian side Hajduk Split and had eight goals along with six assists. (For more on Biuk, read our previous analysis of the move when he was acquired.) 

LAFC also announced the signing of veteran goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic from English Premier League club Everton on Jan. 9. The deal is for the 2023 season with an option for 2024. Jakupovic, a 38-year-old veteran, has made over 200 professional appearances, beginning his career in 2004 with the Swiss club Grasshoppers. 

Jakupovic has not been a No. 1 keeper since 2017-18 with Hull City FC in the English Championship. With Maxime Crepeau rehabbing a broken leg suffered in the MLS Cup, Jakupovic will join John McCarthy – who helped LAFC win its MLS Cup after Crepeau injured himself – in the goalkeeper group for LAFC.