 | ||||
| Full name | Los Angeles Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | The Black and Gold[1] The Black and Gold Falcons[2] | |||
| Short name | LAFC | |||
| Founded | October 30, 2014; 11 years ago (October 30, 2014) | |||
| Stadium | BMO Stadium Los Angeles, California | |||
| Capacity | 22,000 | |||
| Managing owners |
| |||
| Executive Chairman | ||||
| President |
| |||
| Coach | Steve Cherundolo | |||
| League | Major League Soccer | |||
| 2025 | Western Conference: 3rd Overall: 6th Playoffs: Conference semifinals | |||
| Website | lafc.com | |||
 Current season | ||||
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is an American professionalsoccer club based inLos Angeles. The club competes inMajor League Soccer (MLS) as a member of theWestern Conference. It was established on October 30, 2014, and began play in the2018 season as anexpansion team. The team plays its home matches atBMO Stadium, asoccer-specific stadium located inExposition 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 asWill Ferrell,Nomar Garciaparra,Mia Hamm,Giorgio Chiellini, andEarvin 'Magic" Johnson. The club's inaugural head coach wasBob Bradley, who served from 2017 to 2021 before being replaced by current head coach of LAFCSteven Cherundolo.
During their second season in 2019, Los Angeles FC won theSupporters' Shield with clubcaptainCarlos Vela earning theMVP Award. The club won their firstMLS Cup in2022, which completed aleague double with their second Supporters' Shield. In 2020 and 2023, Los Angeles FC were also the runners-up in theCONCACAF Champions League. In 2024, Los Angeles FC won their firstLamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The club within its short history has been home to notable players such asGareth Bale,Olivier Giroud,Hugo Lloris,Son Heung-min,Giorgio Chiellini,Bradley Wright-Phillips, andCarlos Vela.
Los Angeles FC was founded on October 30, 2014, as a result ofMajor League Soccer (MLS) awarding anew expansion team to Los Angeles after the complete dissolution ofChivas USA.[5] 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.[6] 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".[7]
LAFC announcedBob Bradley as its head coach in July 2017,[8] joining general directorJohn Thorrington in a search for players.[9] Mexican forwardCarlos Vela was signed as the club's firstdesignated player on August 11, 2017.[10]
On March 4, 2018, LAFC played its first MLS game, a 1–0 win againstSeattle Sounders FC atCenturyLink Field in Seattle. LAFC designated playerDiego Rossi scored the club's first competitive goal in the 11th minute, assisted by Vela.[11] LAFC suffered its first MLS loss on March 31 against theLA Galaxy, losing 4–3 to their crosstown rivals in the inaugural edition of "El Tráfico".[12][13] 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.[14] They finished the season with 7 road wins which is the most for an expansion team in the post-shootout era.[15]
LAFC accomplished the best regular season for an MLS expansion team, earning 57 points. The total surpassed the 56 picked up by the1998 Chicago Fire, also coached by Bob Bradley, as well as the post-shootout era record of 55 set in 2017 byAtlanta United FC.[16] 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.[16]
On October 6, 2018, LAFC clinched its first playoff spot after a 3–0 victory against theColorado Rapids[17] finishing third in the West, but were knocked out at home in the first round in a 3–2 loss to sixth-placeReal Salt Lake.[18]
LAFC won the 2019Supporters' Shield with a record-setting 72 points;Carlos Vela won theMLS Golden Boot with a league-record 34 goals and was also named theleague MVP. In the playoffs, LAFC defeated theirEl Trafico rivalsLA Galaxy for the first time 5–3 in the Western Conference Semifinal. In the Western Conference Final, LAFC were eliminated in an upset loss at home by Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders 3–1.[19]
The2020 MLS season was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed with theMLS is Back Tournament, a special tournament with all teams at theESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inOrlando, Florida. In the group stage, LAFC earned five points and qualified for the knockout rounds. The team defeated Seattle Sounders FC but lost toOrlando City SC in a penalty shoutout. The regular season resumed after the tournament with matches playedbehind closed doors. LAFC saw 47 goals with 14 coming from Golden Boot winnerDiego Rossi. The team finished with a 9–8–5 and were eliminated in the playoffs by Seattle Sounders FC.[20]
Los Angeles FC qualified forCONCACAF Champions League for the first time in2020. After going down 2–0 in the first leg againstClub León, LAFC came back and won 3–0 in the second leg, advancing (3–2 on aggregate) to the round of 16.[21] Shortly after that, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was put on hold. When the tournament resumed in December, under a new one-off format, Los Angeles FC defeatedCruz Azul (2–1) after going down 1–0. In the semi-finals LAFC defeatedClub América (3–1), again in comeback fashion.[22] They became the third MLS side to advance to the Final, where they were defeated byTigres 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.[23][24]
LAFC rebuilt their roster for much of the2021 MLS season and missed the MLS Cup playoffs. Diego Rossi was transferred toFenerbahçe S.K. in September 2021.[25]Carlos Vela was injured for most of the year and only appeared in 27 matches during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.[26] After missing the playoffs,Bob Bradley was fired as head coach on November 18, 2021.[27] He was replaced bySteve Cherundolo, the head coach of the team's USL affiliateLas Vegas Lights FC, on January 3, 2022.[28]
LAFC spent the majority of the2022 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 secondSupporters' Shield, but fell short of the record. This total was equal with thePhiladelphia Union, who lost the Shield on a wins tiebreaker. LAFC defeated the Galaxy 3–2 in the conference semifinals before knocking outAustin FC 3–0 to advance to their firstMLS Cup.[29][30]
Los Angeles FC won the2022 MLS Cup by defeating the Union in apenalty shootout following a 3–3 draw throughextra time. The two latest goals inMLS Cup Playoffs history were scored in the match, withGareth Bale scoring an equalizer in the 128th minute to take the match to penalties, which LAFC won 3–0. LAFC substitute goalkeeperJohn McCarthy made two saves in the shootout and was named themost valuable player of the match.[31]
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 theLeagues Cup. LAFC finished as runners-up inMLS Cup 2023 to theColumbus Crew[32] and theCONCACAF Champions League toClub León.[33] The team traveled over 63,000 miles (101,000 km) over the course of the season and played 53 matches—a record at the time for an MLS team during a single year.[34]
During the team's 2023 season, Los Angeles had advanced to the2023 CONCACAF Champions Leaguefinal for the club's second time in four years. Their road to the finals consisted of victories againstAlajuelense,Vancouver Whitecaps FC, andPhiladelphia Union. Los Angeles FC would faceClub León in the final, who the team had faced before in the 2020 tournament. Los Angeles FC were the favorites, heading to the final. In the first leg, Leon would win 2–1 with a late goal byDenis Bouanga to keep the hope alive for Los Angeles FC. In the second leg, Los Angeles FC fell flat and would lose the match against Leon 1–0 and lose on aggregate 3–1.[35]
With the 2024 season, LAFC acquiredLewis O'Brien,Eduard Atuesta,Olivier Giroud,Hugo Lloris,David Martinez,Kei Kamara, andMaxime Chanot in response to the departures ofMaxime Crepeau,Carlos Vela (The club negotiated a small contract at the end of the season),Denil Maldonado,Giorgio Chiellini,Kellyn Acosta,Filip Krastev,Diego Palacios, andStipe Biuk. The team was able to clinch the Western Conference (Regular season) by goal difference against theLA Galaxy.[36] LAFC had a rocky start to its season dealing with a first loss of the season againstReal Salt Lake in a snow game 3–0.[37] By the middle of the season, LAFC saw an unbeaten streak of 13 games. That streak would end with a defeat by theColumbus Crew 5–1.[38] LAFC would reach the final of the2024 Leagues Cup getting out of the group stage againstVancouver Whitecaps FC andClub Tijuana and then knocking outAustin FC,San Jose Earthquakes,Seattle Sounders FC, andColorado Rapids. In the final they would faceColumbus Crew once again losing 3–1.[39] After the Leagues Cup tournament, LAFC would go on to lose againstHouston Dynamo FC,LA Galaxy, andFC Dallas in the 2nd half of the regular season. In the2024 MLS Cup playoffs after knocking outVancouver Whitecaps FC in the Best of Three Round,[40] LAFC facedSeattle Sounders FC. The match would go on to extra-time whereSeattle Sounders would eventually defeat LAFC 2–1 ending LAFC's 2024 season.[41]
LAFC qualified to the2024 U.S. Open Cup and began their campaign in the Round of 32.[42] Their first opponent was against USL Championship sideLas Vegas Lights FC where after chippy play, LAFC came out victorious 3–1 atCashman Field.[43] In the Round of 16, LAFC played at home as they faced USL Championship sideLoudoun United FC. LAFC easily beat the team 3–0 to move on to the Quarter-finals.[44] Their next opponent, was the leading USL Championship sideNew Mexico United. LAFC would go on to win the match 3–1.[45] The Semifinal round brought LAFC to play against their rivalsSeattle Sounders FC. The match was very defensive with no goals untilDenis Bouanga scored a penalty kick on the 83rd minute securing a LAFC win.[46] With the victory, LAFC would be the third team along withSan Jose Earthquakes andPortland Timbers to beat the Seattle Sounders at the 5,000 seaterStarfire Sports Complex where the Sounders had a fortress record of 25–1–3.[47]
As a result of winning against Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles FC would advance to the U.S. Open Cup Final to faceSporting Kansas City at home.[46] The first half of the final would see both sides not scoring. That would change in the 2nd half asOlivier Giroud at the 53rd minute would take a successful header from a cross byMateusz Bogusz to make it 1–0. At the 60th minute Sporting Kansas would respond with a goal byErik Thommy making it 1–1. The game would go on to extra time where at the 102nd minuteOmar Campos would take a shot after beating a defender to make it 2–1. Kansas City would not recover especially afterKei Kamara would take a header to make it 3–1 at the 109th minute.[48] 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 theLos Angeles Kickers,Maccabee Los Angeles, andLA Galaxy.[49]
TheDewar Cup was presented by three members of theLos Angeles Kickers, an amateur team that won the1958 and1964 editions of the tournament.[50]
With the 2025, the club acquiredJeremy Ebobisse,Yaw Yeboah,Mark Delgado, andNkosi Tafari. The club signedIgor Jesus andArtem Smolyakov while acquiringOdin Thiago Holm fromCeltic andCengiz Ünder fromFenerbahçe on loan. It was in response to the departures ofJesús Murillo,Ilie Sánchez,Mateusz Bogusz,Cristian Olivera,Kei Kamara,Eduard Atuesta, andLewis O'Brien.[51][52][53]
Los Angeles FC qualified for the2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup defeating theColorado Rapids in Round 1 and theColumbus Crew in the Round of 16.[54][55] Los Angeles FC would then advance to the quarter-finals and faceInter Miami. In first leg, Los Angeles FC would win 1–0 but would lose to Inter Miami in the second leg 3–1 with an aggregate of 3–2 thus eliminating LAFC from the tournament.[56] On April 18, 2025, Los Angeles FC announced that head coach Steve Cherundolo would step down after the 2025 season for personal reasons.[57] Faced with being eliminated from the2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, having a 4–1–4 record and a low goal difference, LAFC acquired midfielderFrankie Amaya andRyan Raposo.[58][59]
On August 6, Los Angeles FC signed Korean starSon Heung-min fromTottenham Hotspur for a MLS transfer record of $26.5 million.[60][61]
On March 21, 2025, the FIFA Appeals Committee ruled thatClub Leon which had won the2023 CONCACAF Champions League, was removed from theFIFA Club World Cup 2025 due to having multi-club-ownership criteria conflicts along withCF Pachuca winners of the2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Both clubs are under the ownership of Grupo Pachuca.[62] As a consequence, Club Leon's berth was vacant. Club Leon appealed to theCourt of Arbitration for Sport but was unsuccessful. On May 16, 2025, FIFA announced a play-in game to determine the last berth to theFIFA Club World Cup 2025 between the2023 CONCACAF Champions League runner-upLAFC and the top-ranked team of the 2024 Club World Cup Ranking by ConfederationClub America to be played on May 31, 2025. LAFC would go on to win the match with 1-1 on regular time and 2-1 after extra time. LAFC thus was placed in Group D withChelsea FC (England),Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), andFlamengo (Brazil).[63][64]
The club's colors and logo were unveiled on January 7, 2016, atUnion Station.[65][66] The club's primary colors are black and gold, with red and gray used as accent colors. TheArt Deco-inspired logo incorporates a shield outline referencing thecity seal, with a winged "LA" monogram and the words "Los Angeles" and "Football Club" inNeutraface. The crest was developed and designed by Beacon Asia Consulting co-founder Thai Nguyen and the creative team of Tue Nguyen andMatthew Wolff.[67]
On January 31, 2018, LAFC announced thatYouTube TV would be the club's first official shirt sponsor in addition to exclusively broadcasting the club's local matches in English.[68][69]Target was announced as their first sleeve sponsor in October 2019.[70]
On March 26, 2021, upon the expiration of its sponsorship contract with YouTube TV, LAFC announced thatFLEX, a power tool manufacturer headquartered inSteinheim an der Murr, Germany, would replace YouTube TV as the main shirt sponsor for the club.[71] Four days later, on March 30, 2021, the club announced thatPostmates would become the second official sleeve sponsor (joining Target) on a one-year deal for the entirety of the 2021 season.[72] 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.[73]
For the club's the 2022 season, LAFC announced on February 26, 2022, that it had partnered withPepsiCo to makeRockstar energy drink the exclusive shirt sponsor of its 2022 training kit.[74] The agreement expired at the end of the season.[75]
Prior to the 2023 season, on June 14, 2022,MLS announced a new media rights partnership withApple giving the tech giant exclusive broadcast rights to all league games via its streaming service,Apple TV+, for the next 10 seasons.[76] To promote this new partnership, as well as their new streaming service entitledMLS 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.[77] 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.[78]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | Adidas[79] | YouTube TV | — |
| 2020 | Target | ||
| 2021 | FLEX | Target Postmates | |
| 2022 | Target | ||
| 2023 | Ford | ||
| 2024–present | BMO Bank[80] |
 | |
| Address | 3939 South Figueroa Street |
|---|---|
| Public transit |   Expo Park/USC |
| Capacity | 22,000 |
| Surface | Bermuda grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 23, 2016 |
| Opened | April 18, 2018 |
| Architect | Gensler |
On May 17, 2015, the team chose theLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena site tobuild a 22,000-seat stadium for MLS in Exposition Park, estimated to cost $250 million. The site was under a sublease from theUniversity of Southern California which managed and operated the Sports Arena and adjacentL.A. Memorial Coliseum.[81] 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, theLos 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 millionnaming rights deal for the stadium with theBanc of California.[82][83][84] Demolition of theLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena began shortly after the groundbreaking and was completed by October 2016.[85][86]
The first public event at the stadium was an open practice and dedication ceremony held on April 18, 2018.[87] The club's first home match was played on April 29, 2018, againstSeattle Sounders FC, with the home side winning 1–0.[88][89] The lone goal was scored byLaurent Ciman in stoppage time in front of a capacity crowd of 22,000.[89] The stadium was renamed toBMO Stadium on January 19, 2023.[90]
Los Angeles FC shares the stadium withNWSL sideAngel City FC beginning in the Spring of 2022. The team became affiliated with LAFC after LAFC took a minority stake in ACFC due to priced warrants issued to LAFC when ACFC signed the lease agreement.[91][92]
Los Angeles FC's training facility is on theCalifornia State University, Los Angeles campus as part of a partnership with the university that began in 2017. The LAFC Performance Center includes 4,000 square feet (370 m2) of indoor space and a training field with the same grass as the team's home stadium.[93]
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 ofBMO Stadium, built on land previously held by theLA Sports Arena.[94] Much of the marketing focus was to millennials, which led to the decision to play near downtown Los Angeles.[95] LAFC took a grassroots approach to building the club by founding the LAFC academy and signing younger prospects including AmericansWalker Zimmerman andTristan Blackmon, Portuguese draft pickJoão Moutinho,[96] and Uruguayan prospectDiego 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 "the12th 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 such as the Black Army 1850, District Nine Ultras, Cuervos, Expo Originals, Tiger Supporter Group (TSG), The Krew, Luckys, Los Angelinos Originales, and Empire Boys.[97] The 3252 also includes independent supporter groups with active season memberships such as LAFC Pride Republic, Lxs Tigres del North End, Offsiders, and 42Originals.[98][99] The supporter section in the North End of the stadium is only for fans of LAFC. Anyone wearing other team gear is not allowed in the section.[100] The 3252 has several chants that are sung throughout the match in English, Spanish and Korean including: Dale, Dale Black & Gold, This is Los Angeles, Venirte Ver, Aliento de Corazon, Forevermore, Jump for LA Football Club, Que Bonito Es, Dale Alegria a mi Corazon, and Uh Dirado.[101]
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-ownerWill Ferrell.[102] The three falcons are named after famous streets in Los Angeles: "Olly" (Olvera Street), "Fig" (Figueroa Street), and "Mel" (Melrose Avenue).[103]
Since their establishment as an expansion team in 2014, Los Angeles FC have had a fierce rivalry with the LA Galaxy, from Carson, California, the closest MLS team. The rivalry between the two clubs has been dubbed El Tráfico by the supporters of both clubs, a humorous play on El Clásico.[104] Since beginning in the league, LAFC have also had a on-field rivalry with the Seattle Sounders FC. Both teams have competed at the top of the Western Conference tables and the playoffs in the most recent seasons.
LAFC have a cross-town rivalry with fellow MLS clubLA Galaxy, who play in the Los Angeles suburb ofCarson. The series between the two teams is known asEl Tráfico[105] (Spanish for "The Traffic"), conversely, Spanish-language speakers and media commonly refer to it as theClásico del Tráfico[106][107] (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.[108][109][110] It refers to the notorious traffic congestion in Los Angeles,[109][111] among the worst in the United States and the world, while serving as a play on "El Clásico".[112] The rivalry has also been called the "Los Angeles Derby",[113] a moniker that was also used for the SuperClasico.[114]
LAFC's first game ever played was a 1–0 win atCenturyLink Field overSeattle 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 byLaurent Ciman. The next season Seattle got its revenge, defeating LAFC for the first time in the2019 Western Conference Finals, bringing L.A.'s record-setting season and first MLS Cup hopes to an end.[115] In similar fashion LAFC in 2024 would prevent the Seattle Sounders from their 5thU.S. Open Cup by defeating them in the semifinals 1-0.[46] Beyond these touchstone moments, the rivalry has been carried on by players, coaches and supporters.[116][117][118][119]
From 2023, every LAFC match is available viaMLS Season Pass on theApple TV app, in addition to select matches simulcast linearly onFox 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 byKCOP.Max Bretos served as the team's leadplay-by-play announcer[120]
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 orregional sports network.[68][69][121]
Prior to Apple, locally broadcast LAFC matches were televised in Spanish onEstrella TV stationKRCA, with Francisco X. Rivera as the lead play-by-play announcer.[122] Regular local radio coverage of LAFC matches is provided in English byKSPN (ESPNLA 710), with Dave Denholm serving as the radio play-by-play announcer. Spanish radio broadcasts are provided byKFWB (980), with Armando Aguayo as the play-by-play announcer.[123] The club also partners withKIRN (670) as part of the station's weekly sports report.[124]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
| Technical Staff | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Steve Cherundolo |
| Assistant coach | Ante Razov |
| Assistant coach | Marc Dos Santos |
| Assistant coach | Enrique Duran |
| Goalkeeping coach | Oka Nikolov |
| Player Development Coach | Vacant |
| Performance director | Gavin Benjafield |
| Technical director | Neil McGuinness |
| Assistant Technical director | Jordan Harvey |
| Head of strength and conditioning | Anton Matinlauri |
| LAFC Head Coach History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coach | Start | End |
| Bob Bradley | July 27, 2017 | November 18, 2021 |
| Steve Cherundolo | January 3, 2022 | Present |
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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.[127][128] As of 2017, chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group and entrepreneurPeter Guber is executive chairman, and venture capitalistHenry Nguyen is vice-chairman.[129] The ownership group in 2019 also included businessmanRuben Gnanalingam.[7] Other part-owners and investors includeWill Ferrell,Natalie Mariduena,Nomar Garciaparra,Mia Hamm-Garciaparra,Chad Hurley,Magic Johnson,Joseph Tsai,[130]Giorgio Chiellini,[131] 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, andRick Welts.[7][129][132][133]
LAFC's first president wasTom Penn until he stepped down on August 18, 2020, to pursue a PPE business venture. Larry Freedman andJohn Thorrington took over as Co-presidents.[134]
In February 2020, LAFC owners began the process of buying out a 20 percent ownership stake held by Malaysian businessmanVincent Tan. The buyout resulted in a $700 millionvaluation for the club, the largest on record for aMajor League Soccer team at the time.[135]
| Front Office | |
|---|---|
| Lead managing owner | Bennett Rosenthal |
| Co-managing owner | Brandon Beck |
| Co-managing owner | Larry Berg |
| Executive chairman and owner | Peter Guber |
| Director and owner | Henry Nguyen |
| Director and owner | Mitch Lasky |
| Director and owner | Goodwin Gaw |
| Director and owner | Adam Freede |
| Chief business officer | Stacy Johns |
| Co-president | Larry Freedman |
| Co-president and general manager | John Thorrington |
| Technical Director | Neil McGuinness |
| Director of Football operations | Vacant |
| Vice president of soccer operations | Mario Ancheta |
On August 4, 2022, LAFC was named as one of 7 MLS-affiliated clubs that would field a team in theMLS Next Pro league beginning in the 2023 season. LAFC launched a reserve team,Los Angeles FC 2 (orLAFC2), for the 2023 season ofMLS Next Pro. The team plays atTitan Stadium and is currently coached byJunior Gonzalez.
| Technical Staff | |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Junior Gonzalez[137] |
| Assistant Coach | Fabian Sandoval |
| Assistant Coach | Claine Plummer |
| Head Coach History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coach | Start | End |
| Enrique Duran | January 25, 2023 | December 20, 2023 |
| Junior Gonzalez | February 6, 2024 | Present |
On February 1, 2016, the club announced the founding of the LAFC Academy.[138] The academy is launching with a fully funded U12 USSDA academy team with a roster of 26 players.Todd Saldana served as academy director until January 16, 2025.[139]On August 21, 2018, the U-13 squad won the CONCACAF Champions League, as champions of North America.[140]
On July 8, 2020, LAFC signed its first three Homegrown players from the academy in Club history –Tony Leone,Christian Torres andErik Dueñas.[141]
On June 9, 2025, LAFC filled the Academy Director position by hiring Toni Hernandez. Toni Hernandez previous position was that of technical coordinator forFC BarcelonaLa Masia youth academy spending four years in that position.[142][143]
| Technical Staff | |
|---|---|
| Academy Director | Toni Hernandez |
| Academy Coach | Christopher Cuéllar |
| Academy Coach | Abraham Jacinto |
| Academy Coach | Marius Rus |
| Academy Staff Coach | Michael Jacobson |
| Academy Staff GK Coach | Adrian Padilla |
| Academy Scout | Gabriel Lucatero |
| Academy Scout | Mario Ayala |
| Academy Scout | Hector Garcia |
| Academy Scout | Joey Yusumas |
On March 13, 2023, Los Angeles FC &FC Bayern Munich announced a global soccer development cooperation. This would provide a platform for young talent featuring high level development a pathway to a first team. The two teams share a 50/50 ownership of the joint venture.[144][145] The joint venture has already made partnerships with The Gambia soccer academy Gambinos Stars Africa (2023),Uruguayan Primera Division sideRacing Club de Montevideo (2023), andK League 1 sideJeju SK FC (2025).[146][147][148]
Orange County SC, competing in theUSL Championship, was affiliated with Los Angeles FC as part of a multi-year affiliation agreement with the team that started on December 7, 2016, and ended after the 2018 season.[149][150]
LAFC announced their partnership withUSL Championship clubLas Vegas Lights FC. That partnership started on March 12, 2021, and ended in 2023 after the establishment ofMLS Next Pro sideLos Angeles FC 2.[151][152]
On January 17, 2024, it was announced that LAFC went into a long-term strategic partnership withGrasshopper Club Zurich of theSwiss Super League becoming the new majority shareholder in Grasshopper ltd. Grasshopper Fussball Stiftung will continue to hold a minority interest in the club.[153][154]
On October 8, 2024, it was announced that LAFC took a minority stake inNWSL sideAngel City FC which they share BMO Stadium with. The affiliation deal came from priced warrants issued to LAFC when Angel City FC signed a lease agreement to play at BMO Stadium.[155][92]
In 2019, LAFC won their first major MLS trophy, the Supporters' Shield. They won it with a record breaking 72 points, in just their second season in existence. In 2022, LAFC won their second Supporters' Shield, becoming the second club to win two shields within their first five seasons (afterD.C. United). LAFC capped-off the 2022 season by winning the MLS Cup over the Philadelphia Union. In 2024, LAFC won theU.S. Open Cup with a 3–1 victory againstSporting Kansas City. This marked the team’s very first Open Cup win.[156]
| National | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| MLS Cup | 1 | 2022 |
| Supporters' Shield | 2 | 2019,2022 |
| U.S. Open Cup | 1 | 2024 |
| Western Conference (Playoffs) | 2 | 2022,2023 |
| Western Conference (Regular Season) | 3 | 2019,2022,2024 |
| Honor | Head Coach | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award | Bob Bradley | 2019[169] |
| Honor | Head Coach | Season |
|---|---|---|
| MLS Sporting Executive Of The Year Award | John Thorrington | 2024[170] |
This is a partial list of the last six seasons completed by LAFC. For the full season-by-season history, seeList of Los Angeles FC seasons.
| Season | League | Position | Playoffs | USOC | Continental | Average attendance | Top goalscorer(s) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Conf. | Overall | CCL | LC | CC | Name(s) | Goals | ||||
| 2019 | 34 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 85 | 37 | +48 | 72 | 2.12 | 1st | 1st | WCF | QF | DNQ | DNE | DNQ | 22,251 |  Carlos Vela | 38♦[171] |
| 2020 | 22 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 47 | 39 | +8 | 32 | 1.45 | 7th | 12th | R1 | NH | RU | NH | NH | 22,117[172] |  Diego Rossi | 18♦[173] |
| 2021 | 34 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 53 | 51 | +2 | 45 | 1.32 | 9th | 17th | DNQ | NH | DNQ | DNQ | NH | 20,204[174] |  Cristian Arango | 14 |
| 2022 | 34 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 66 | 38 | +28 | 67 | 1.97 | 1st | 1st | W | R16 | DNQ | EXH[175] | DNQ | 22,090[176] | Cristian Arango | 21 |
| 2023 | 34 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 54 | 39 | +15 | 52 | 1.53 | 3rd | 8th | RU | R16 | RU | QF | RU | 22,155[177] |  Denis Bouanga | 37♦[178] |
| 2024 | 34 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 63 | 43 | +20 | 64 | 1.88 | 1st | 3rd | WCSF | W | DNQ | RU | DNQ | 22,122[179] | Denis Bouanga | 20 |
| Total | 192 | 96 | 52 | 44 | 368 | 247 | +121 | 332 | 1.71 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Carlos Vela | 93 |
^ 1.Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only.
^ 2.Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League,MLS Cup Playoffs,U.S. Open Cup,MLS is Back Tournament,CONCACAF Champions League,FIFA Club World Cup, and other competitive continental matches.
| # | Name | Nation | MLS | Playoffs | USOC | CCC | Leagues Cup | MLS is Back | Campeones Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Vela | MEX | 152 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 189 |
| 2 | Latif Blessing |  GHA | 142 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 167 |
| 3 | Eduard Atuesta | COL | 121 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 152 |
| 4 | Eddie Segura | COL | 116 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 152 |
| 5 | Ryan Hollingshead |  USA | 101 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 144 |
| # | Name | Nation | MLS | Playoffs | USOC | CCC | Leagues Cup | MLS is Back | Campeones Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Vela | MEX | 78 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| 2 | Denis Bouanga | GAB | 43 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 74 |
| 3 | Diego Rossi | URU | 43 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 59 |
| 4 | Cristian Arango | COL | 30 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| 5 | Adama Diomande |  NOR | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Mateusz Bogusz |  POL | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| # | Name | Nation | MLS | Playoffs | USOC | CCC | Leagues Cup | MLS is Back | Campeones Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Vela | MEX | 42 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| 2 | Denis Bouanga | GAB | 19 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| 3 | Eduard Atuesta | COL | 22 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 27 |
| 4 | Diego Rossi | URU | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 |
| 5 | José Cifuentes |  ECU | 17 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| # | Name | Nation | MLS | Playoffs | USOC | CCC | Leagues Cup | MLS is Back | Campeones Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hugo Lloris |  FRA | 15 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2 | Tyler Miller | USA | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 3 | Maxime Crépeau |  CAN | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| 4 | John McCarthy | USA | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| 5 | Pablo Sisniega | MEX | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Tomás Romero |  SLV | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
