Los Angeles Football Club
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) are a Major League Soccer club whose regular home is BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The club won its first MLS Cup in 2022.
Contents22 sections
Key facts
October 2014MLS expansion award
January 2016Black-and-gold crest unveiled
LAFC unveiled its crest and colors on January 7, 2016.[3]
The black-and-gold crest combines the LA monogram with a wing. Its shield outline derives from the Los Angeles city seal, while the wordmark uses the Art Deco-inspired Neutraface typeface.[4]
2017First coach and Designated Player
In 2017, Bob Bradley became LAFC’s first head coach and Carlos Vela its first Designated Player.[3]
March 2018MLS debut
On March 4, 2018, LAFC won their first MLS match, beating Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 away.[3]
April 2018New Los Angeles stadium opens
On April 18, 2018, the club opened Banc of California Stadium at a public event. The 22,000-seat venue stands in Exposition Park on the former Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena site. The club also opened its training facility at Cal State LA that month.[2]
On April 29, LAFC beat Seattle 1–0 in the stadium’s first home match.[3]
2019Supporters’ Shield and Vela’s scoring record
In 2019, LAFC won their first Supporters’ Shield with 72 points, then an MLS regular-season record. Vela scored 34 goals and added 15 assists, winning the Golden Boot and MVP award. LAFC beat the Galaxy 5–3 in the playoffs before losing the Western Conference final 3–1 to Seattle.[5]
December 2020First continental final
LAFC finished runners-up in its Champions League debut in December 2020.[3]
2022Cherundolo takes charge and wins the Shield
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 2021, LAFC appointed Steve Cherundolo to succeed Bradley. The club added Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale in 2022 and won a second Supporters’ Shield.[6]
November 2022First MLS Cup
On November 5, 2022, LAFC and Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia UnionPhiladelphia Union is a Major League Soccer club representing the Philadelphia region. It began play in 2010 and plays at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Keystone Sports and Entertainment owns and operates the club.Open the full entry drew 3–3 after extra time in MLS Cup before LAFC won the shootout 3–0. Bale equalized eight minutes into added time in extra time, and substitute goalkeeper John McCarthy saved two penalties and was named final MVP.[7]
January 2023BMO Stadium naming agreement
On January 19, 2023, LAFC and BMO announced a naming-rights partnership that renamed the club’s Los Angeles home BMO Stadium.[8]
June 2023Another continental runner-up finish
On June 4, 2023, LAFC lost the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League final 1–0 at home to León, losing 3–1 on aggregate. Denis Bouanga led the tournament with seven goals, and McCarthy was named its best goalkeeper.[9]
December 2023MLS Cup title defense ends
On December 9, 2023, LAFC lost MLS Cup 2–1 to Columbus CrewColumbus CrewColumbus Crew is an MLS club in Columbus, Ohio, operated by Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family. Its home is ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.Open the full entry. Bouanga scored LAFC’s goal, bringing his total across all competitions that year to 38 and matching Vela’s club record.[10]
2024Open Cup title and other cup campaigns
In 2024, LAFC lost the Leagues Cup final 3–1 to Columbus Crew. On September 25, they beat Sporting Kansas City 3–1 after extra time to win their first U.S. Open Cup. LAFC finished first in the Western Conference regular-season standings but lost to Seattle in extra time in the conference semifinals.[11]
2025Club World Cup campaign in May–June
On May 31, 2025, LAFC beat Club América 2–1 after extra time in a Club World Cup play-in, then exited in the group stage.[12]
August 2025Son Heung-min joins
On August 6, 2025, LAFC announced Son Heung-min’s arrival. He recorded 12 goals and four assists in 13 matches that year, including the playoffs.[12]
November 2025Playoff exit
December 2025Dos Santos takes charge
2026Los Angeles home schedule
BMO Stadium is LAFC’s regular home for 2026, while the February 21 season opener against Inter Miami was scheduled at the nearby Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.[15]
2026Tamarit becomes interim coach in September–October
Ownership and management
As of October 2026, the club lists Bennett Rosenthal as lead managing owner, Brandon Beck as co-managing owner and Peter Guber as executive chairman and owner. Vela is listed as an owner and club ambassador.[18]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Los Angeles Football Club: Official website: https://www.lafc.com/ (opens in a new window).[19]
Sources
- Major League Soccer awards new team to Los Angeles (opens in a new window)
- LAFC Owners Join City Leaders to Unwrap State-of-the-Art Banc of California Stadium in the Heart of Los Angeles - OurSports Central (opens in a new window)
- Media Resources (opens in a new window)
- Crest | LAFC (opens in a new window)
- 2019 | LAFC.com (opens in a new window)
- History | LAFC.com (opens in a new window)
- MLS Cup Final Recap | LAFC 3-3 Philadelphia Union 11/5/22 | Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)
- 2022 MLS Cup Champions LAFC & BMO Announce Naming Rights Partnership For ‘BMO Stadium’ | Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)
- Recap | LAFC 0-1 Club León CCL Final Leg 2 - 6/4/23 | Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)
- Recap | LAFC 1-2 Columbus Crew 12/9/23 | Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)
- History | LAFC.com (opens in a new window)
- 2021 | LAFC.com (opens in a new window)
- Semifinal Storylines (opens in a new window)
- LAFC Announces Marc Dos Santos as Head Coach | Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)
- LAFC Announces 2026 MLS Regular Season Schedule | Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)
- Playoff Stakes, Pure Energy: Why Noche LÁFC on Oct. 10 is this Month’s Can't-Miss Match | Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)
- Technical Staff | LAFC.com (opens in a new window)
- Ownership | LAFC (opens in a new window)
- Los Angeles Football Club (opens in a new window)