Carlos Vela returns this Sunday Los Angeles FC (LAFC) and the California team celebrated the Mexican’s comeback with a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first round of the MLS playoffs.
In this best-of-three series, LAFC had the advantage in this round thanks to a penalty goal by Denis Bounga and another goal by Uruguay’s Cristian Oliveira after a brilliant collective performance by Steve Cerundolo’s coached team.
Carlos Vela returns with LAFC
The Whitecaps got their goal in the 94th minute with Ryan Gould’s header and there was no time to seal the tie.
Aside from the win, the most celebrated moment tonight at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles was Vela’s 86th-minute entry in LAFC’s first MLS Cup final loss to the Columbus Crew on December 9, 2023. .
On September 16, LAFC announced that Vela, who had been the heart and soul of the Los Angeles team since its inception in 2018, had been away from the stadiums and had some uncertainty about his future as a footballer at the end of last year.
At 35, Vela has won one MLS Cup (2022) and two MLS Supporters’ Shield (2019 and 2022) with LAFC. Also, he had a sensational campaign in 2019 in which he won the league MVP and was the tournament’s top scorer.
In Sunday’s other game, Orlando City beat Charlotte 2-0 thanks to goals from Uruguay’s Facundo Torres and Argentina’s Martin Ojeda.
In addition to the loss, Charlotte suffered a more significant loss in the next game due to Spain’s Pep Pile being sent off for a straight red card in the 91st minute.
They still have four qualifiers to play their first games: Cincinnati-New York City and Seattle Sounders-Houston Dynamo this Monday, Columbus Crew-New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake-Minnesota United on Tuesday. will take place.
1-0 in addition In the series for LAFC And Orlando City are also dominating their playoffs after a match between Inter Miami against Atlanta United and LA Galaxy against the Colorado Rapids.
