Los Angeles FC

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is an American professional soccer club based in Los Angeles. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. It was established on October 30, 2014, and began play in the 2018 season as an expansion team. The team plays its home matches at BMO Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium located in Exposition 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 as Will Ferrell, Nomar Garciaparra, Mia Hamm, Giorgio Chiellini, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. The club's inaugural head coach was Bob Bradley, who served from 2017 to 2021 before being replaced by Steve Cherundolo.

During their second season in 2019, Los Angeles FC won the Supporters' Shield with club captain Carlos Vela earning the MVP Award. The club won their first MLS Cup in 2022, which completed a league double with their second Supporters' Shield. In 2020 and 2023, Los Angeles FC were also the runners-up in the CONCACAF Champions League. In 2024, Los Angeles FC won their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The club within its short history has been home to notable players such as Gareth Bale, Olivier Giroud, Hugo Lloris, Son Heung-min, Giorgio Chiellini, and Carlos Vela.[edit]

LAFC was founded in 2014 as an MLS expansion team, with Bob Bradley appointed as the first head coach in 2017. The club played its inaugural season in 2018 at the newly built Banc of California Stadium (now BMO Stadium). In just their second season, LAFC set an MLS record for most points in a single season (72) and won the Supporters' Shield. Carlos Vela broke the league's single-season goals record with 34.

After Bradley's departure, Steve Cherundolo took over in 2022 and led the team to an MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield double. The 2022 MLS Cup final against Philadelphia Union went to penalties after a 3-3 draw, with LAFC winning 3-0 in the shootout. Gareth Bale scored a dramatic equalizer in the 128th minute to force extra time. In 2023, LAFC reached the MLS Cup final again but lost 2-1 to Columbus Crew, and also finished as runners-up in the CONCACAF Champions League for the second time.

In 2024, LAFC captured their first U.S. Open Cup by defeating Atlanta United 3-1 in the final. The club continues to attract global stars, signing Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris in 2024, and Son Heung-min on loan in 2025. LAFC's rivalry with the LA Galaxy, known as El Tráfico, has become one of MLS's most intense derbies. The club's supporters' group, the 3252, is named after the number of seats in the north end of the stadium and is known for its vibrant matchday atmosphere.[edit]