This is one in a series of team previews preparing fans for the 2023 MLS season. Check out the full list; teams will be revealed in predicted order of finish from Feb. 10-24.
What LAFC did last year
It was a dream season for LAFC to follow up a lackluster 2021. The Black & Gold won the Supporters’ Shield, holding off challenges from Austin and Philly, dealt with the competition in the West, looked like they’d lose MLS Cup in extra time only to have the Gareth Bale signing all make sense with one improbable goal, and then they won in PKs with a substitute goalkeeper after their starting goalkeeper broke his leg. Ta-da! It was a wild ride.
Key additions
Forward Stipe Biuk (transfered from Hajduk Split), goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic (transfered from Everton), defender Aaron Long (free agent), defender Denil Maldonado (loaned from Motagua)
Key departures
Forward Cristian Arango (transfered to Pachuca), forward Gareth Bale (retirement), defender Franco Escobar (contract expired, moved to Houston Dynamo), defender Sebastien Ibeagha (11/15/22 - contract expired, moved to FC Dallas), midfielder Sebastian Mendez (contract expired, moved to Sao Paulo), defender Eddie Segura (contract expired), winger Cristian Tello (option declined)
Making the case for LAFC
Looking at the additions plus departures, it seems like there are still some holes to fill on this roster … but for GM/sorcerer John Thorrington, it’s something he did last year and it’s still something he’s capable of doing this year. Already, there’s been a rumor that LAFC was in for Pierre-Emerick Aubumeyang, which sounds ridiculous on its face, but with LAFC, the attempt at getting an internationally known striker with more than 300 career goals playing for UEFA Champions League seems plausible somehow. Plus, there’s still loads of talent on this team even if they don’t reload.
Players to watch
Denis Bouanga’s had a full offseason to get more acclimated to MLS after showing why he was a summer DP signing. He’s an early MVP candidate and perhaps the key to a successful LAFC season.
Also, Stipe Biuk is a $6 million signing who appears to be more a project than an instant plug-and-play Cristian Arango replacement. That’s curious, given the nerdy tidbit stat I’m about to present.
A nerdy tidbit
Last year, Arango had 0.62 goals and 0.77 goal contributions per 90. That seems like the kind of player you wouldn’t want to necessarily offload to Pachuca, but it weirdly never seemed like head coach Steve Cherundolo was sold on him. (For this reason alone, it would be immense to see LAFC and Pachuca in CCL and/or Leagues Cup this season.)
A fun tidbit
It seems like LAFC’s social media account is beefing with a Galaxy fan account ahead of Saturday’s big Rose Bowl match.
😉 https://t.co/6Fye40Ouhs pic.twitter.com/LDTvBH6ZnK
— LAFC (@LAFC) February 23, 2023
Projected finish
1st in the West
Is this a year, like 2021, where we’ve overshot on our prediction and LAFC struggles. Or is this a year, like 2022, in which the sheer force of LAFC’s talent brings them to the top of a competitive West? It’s worth noting that we did our voting prior to the Arango trade. Certainly, if there’s a need for a striker come summer, Thorrington will find a way. I do think, as they’re currently composed, goal scoring’s more of a question than it was than last year, and with Maxime Crepeau recovering from his MLS Cup fracture, goalkeeping might be a question as well. But having Bouanga, Carlos Vela, and Jose Cifuentes (he’s staying, then, yes?) is enough of an anchor to top the West.
