Carlos Vela makes MLS goalscoring history

Mexican front man Carlos Velas has become the highest-scoring player in a single MLS regular season, after a hat-trick on “Decision Day” against Colorado Rapids ensured he would finish the campaign with 34 MLS goals to his name in 2019

Carlos Vela

Mexican front man Carlos Velas has become the highest-scoring player in a single MLS regular season, after a hat-trick on “Decision Day” against Colorado Rapids ensured he would finish the campaign with 34 MLS goals to his name in 2019. That figure eclipses the previous record held by Atlanta United’s striker Josef Martinez, which was only set 12 months ago. The former Arsenal ace lit up the Banc of California Stadium with a dazzling array of finishes to end the regular season in style and cement Los Angeles FC as 2019’s most exciting team to watch.


Los Angeles FC have already won their first piece of silverware this season in the Supporters’ Shield, and look like being the clear favorites to claim the MLS Cup in November too. In fact, most sportsbooks have Los Angeles as almost odds-on contenders, so it’s a good idea to avail yourself of the raft of free bet promotions that you can find on Oddschecker to increase your potential winnings should you wish to have a flutter on them.

The form of Carlos Vela is one of the main factors in Los Angeles FC’s rise to the top of the MLS. He showcased all of his technical ability against Colorado, scoring a long-range left foot effort, converting an acrobatic scissor kick and a cute first-time finish from a cross-field pass. The Mexican has really taken to life on America’s west coast like a duck to water, averaging almost a goal a game since joining from Real Sociedad in 2018, becoming the team’s first designated player in club history, according to Sportstownfc.

Leaving European football certainly appears to have rejuvenated Vela’s career and mindset. The Cancun-born ace admits that he feels more at home in Los Angeles, which is unsurprising given that he’s much closer to his roots. When quizzed earlier in the 2019 MLS season whether a move back to Europe was on the cards if his good form continued, Vela admitted it would “have to be something very specific” for him to consider leaving Los Angeles.

Even Los Angeles FC coach Bob Bradley said that LA has enabled Vela and his family to “enjoy themselves” and still maintain “privacy”. It’s a balance that Bradley certainly believes is “working well for him” and the rest of the roster. Vela’s cheeky persona and undoubted ability has elevated the performances of those around him, helping Los Angeles FC to set a single-season record points total of 72. Nevertheless, Vela won’t be happy with his year’s work until the team has its first MLS Cup in the trophy cabinet before the year is out.

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