Los Angeles FC saw Carlos Vela, Laurent Ciman and Marco Urena all go to the World Cup this summer. It was anticipated that their absence would stent the progression of LAFC’s season as they looked to peak during the middle months of the year, just as the playoff push begins.
But that has not quite happened. Ciman returned quickly as he was only on standby, scoring an excellent freekick in a win over the Columbus Crew, and Latif Blessing and Adama Diomande have stepped up in the absence of Vela and Urena in attacking areas.
And the results have not tailed off either.