LAFC and Vela set single records
The Los Angeles FC dominated the 2019 MLS regular season from top to bottom and are the heavy favorites to win the MLS Cup.
Vela broke and extended the single-season scoring mark, ending the season on 34 goals, breaking the record set by Atlanta United‘s Josef Martinez last year. LAFC broke the single-season points with 72, as well as tying the single-season goals record by a team. This LAFC 2019 version might be the best MLS team of all-time based on the amazing milestones it achieved this season.
Coach Bradley praises his player Carlos Vela:
“We’re all proud to see Carlos finish off that way. It’s special for everyone. I said to everyone inside the locker room that everybody in the club — the players, the staff — is so happy for him, because as a guy, he’s so positive. He’s a great teammate, he’s good to the people around him everyday, and he’s had just a special, special year. That is first, that we’re all incredibly proud of what he’s accomplished.
“He’d be the first to say it comes from the work as a team and all his teammates and the football and the way things get done everyday.”
On the other side of the spectrum is LA Galaxy. The other team in Los Angeles limped into the playoffs with two bad losses to conclude the season [4 goals conceded in each game]. The team led by Ibrahimovic could have finished 2nd in the Western Conference but actually dropped to 5th place and will have to find their ways through on the road. First up is Minnesota before dreaming of the stellar matchup against their city rivals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic comments on the situation:
“After last month’s win over Salt Lake we were in the playoffs and I think these two games haven’t been what we are able to do. Conceding these goals in two games against two teams that are not in the playoffs is not good, obviously.
But actually, we are in the playoffs and now I think it’s at Minnesota away. So hopefully it will be a good game,”
NYCFC set record season
In the Eastern Conference, New York FC and Atlanta United seem to be the two team ahead to reach the MLS Cup. The New Yorkers produced the best season in club history setting new highs for points. Champions Atlanta are looking another long post-season run for another title. They can count on their star player Josef Martinez who despite injury still finished the season with 27 golas in 29 games played.
