LAFC 2023 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions
By Chris Smith
Los Angeles FC return in 2023 looking to retain their crown.
The Black and Gold enjoyed an incredible campaign last year, lifting both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup, becoming the first team to win the double since Toronto FC in 2017.
Since then, there's been a lot of change, not least with LAFC's home venue being renamed 'BMO Stadium'. On the pitch, a number of key players - including Gareth Bale, Cristian Arango, and Cristian Tello - have departed as part of a roster overhaul.
So, here's everything you need to know about LAFC ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.
How did LAFC perform in 2022?
- Regular season: 1st in Western Conference
- MLS Cup Playoffs: MLS Cup champions
- US Open Cup: Round-of-16
LAFC transfer activity
Player | Former Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Stipe Biuk | Hadjuk Split | $6m |
Timothy Tillman | Greuther Furth | $500k |
Aaron Long | New York Red Bulls | Free transfer |
Sergi Palencia | Saint-Etienne | Free transfer |
Danny Crisostomo | Las Vegas Lights | Free transfer |
Abraham Romero | Las Vegas Lights | Free transfer |
Eldin Jakupovic | Everton | Free transfer |
Jassem Koleilat | UNH WIldcats | SuperDraft |
Denil Maldonado | FC Motagua | Loan |
Transfers out
Player | Club Joined | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Cristian Arango | Pachuca | $6m |
Latif Blessing | New England Revolution | $400k |
Cristian Tello | Al-Fateh | Free transfer |
Jhegson Mendez | Sao Paulo | Free transfer |
Sebastien Ibeagha | FC Dallas | Free transfer |
Franco Escobar | Houston Dynamo | Free transfer |
Cal Jennings | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Free transfer |
Danny Trejo | Phoenix Rising | Free transfer |
Tomas Romero | Toronto FC | Draft |
Eddie Segura | - | Released |
Gareth Bale | - | Retired |
Steve Cherundolo: Tactics and style of play
It's LAFC, so that means 4-3-3 and possession dominance, with a fast and hard press as soon as they lose the ball. In that regard, nothing much changed last year between Steve Cherundolo and the Bob Bradley era.
Where Cherundolo did make a difference was in defensive solidity. Across the regular season, LAFC conceded just 38 goals - Austin FC were the only team in the West with a better record (37) - thanks to an ability to sit deeper and soak up pressure, becoming far quicker and more incisive on the counter when required.
This duality meant LAFC didn't have to compromise their attacking flair when seeing games out, ultimately allowing them to seal the Shield and go all the way in the Playoffs.
Some of the personel may have changed, but expect more of the same principles in 2023.
LAFC predicted XI (4-3-3): Crepeau*; Palencia, Long, Murillo, Palacios; Ilie, Acosta, Cifuentes; Bounga, Vela, Biuk.
*When fit.
Who is LAFC's key player?
Carlos Vela
With so much change in terms of Arango, Bale and Co leaving and big-money replacements coming in, LAFC need some stability. As captain and the long-time face of the franchise, Carlos Vela should be the man to provide it.
Yes, at 33 and with a history of injuries, Vela isn't going to be the player he was three or four years ago. However, he still has magic in his boots and proved so many times he can be counted upon when the Black and Gold needed him last year.
And more than just his on-field contributions, it'll be up to Vela to set the standard and teach the new arrivals what it means to play for this LAFC team.
LAFC 2023 season prediction
It doesn't get much better than a double-winning season, so you could say the only way is down from here for LAFC - though banishing the ghost of 2020 and adding the Concacaf Champions League to their collection might be a reasonable next target.
Whether they now have the depth or enough MLS-proven quality to sustain another Shield run or go all the way through the Playoffs again is a tough question to answer.
However, there's too much quality there to say LAFC won't at least be in the mix.
Will LAFC qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? Yes