Los Angeles FC | History, Kit, Sponsors, Trophies, Rivals and Club Value

History of Los Angeles FC

The Los Angeles FC history is interesting and can be elaborated. Chivas USA has been representing Los Angeles in Major League Soccer since their inception in 2004. As the club was dissolved in 2014, there was a sizable hole in the city to be filled. The league awarded a new expansion team in 2014 to Los Angeles to make sure that Hollywood never goes out of the spotlight. An auxiliary franchise name of the Los Angeles FC was registered on October 30. In time, it became the official name of the team as Henry Nguyen, the principal owner at that time, announced it was a “timeless” name.
Bob Bradley was hired as the first head coach in 2017. Mexican hero Carlos Vela joined the club as the first designated player. Vela lived up to his billing by assisting Diego Rossi’s winner in their first-ever game in the MLS in 2018 against Seattle Sounders FC.
They suffered a first league defeat to cross-town rivals LA Galaxy in the first “El Trafico”. Their debut season saw them register the best regular season for an expansion team. It was a hint of things to come as the club walked the league in their second season and won their first silverware.
Vela was playing in a different stratosphere as he won the Golden Boot with a record-breaking 34 goals. He was named the MVP as he led his team to a Supporters’ Shield in 2019 with a record 72 points. However, they couldn’t go far in the MLS Cup as they lost to the Seattle Sounders.
Sounders were the thorn in their side again as they were knocked out in a pandemic-affected 2020 season. They finished as runners-up in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time after losing to Tigres UANL. A disappointing 2021 season with plenty of changes at the club as they shuffled the roster, and Bob Bradley was fired. Steve Cherundolo was brought in as the head coach.
They signed Gareth Bale as a marquee signing, and the Welshman aided Vela by leading his side to glory. After dominating the initial stages of the league, they were on course to break their own points record. But a late slump in the season meant they could only win the shield with 67 points.
Gareth Bale had the biggest say in the MLS Cup as he scored the latest goal in the MLS Cup game to force penalties as his side was losing 3-2. John McCarthy, the substitute keeper, stepped up and saved two crucial penalties to help his side win their first MLS Cup.
The 2023 season was one of the most hectic in the club’s history. They travelled over 63,000 miles for games in the MLS, MLS Cup, and the CONCACAF Champions League. However, it was heartbreaking for them as they lost the MLS Cup in the finals and even the Champions League in the finals.

Another roster reshuffle took place in 2024 as French legends Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris joined the club. Despite winning the Western Conference, they fell short of record-breaking Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. There was solace as they lifted their first U.S. Open Cup of the season.
The club are struggling this season as they languish 5th in the Western Conference. They won the play-off clash to qualify for their first-ever Club World Cup in 2025.

Los Angeles FC Sponsors, Net Worth & Value

Here's a detailed look at the Los Angeles FC sponsors. Los Angeles FC are owned by a consortium that is valued at $4.5 billion, according to Medium. This made finances a non-existent issue for the club. Besides, success in the second season on the pitch made sure that the club grew organically. They have one of the highest revenue systems in the league. Their matchday revenue, broadcasting revenue, merchandising rights, and earnings from the stadium helped them amass a billion-dollar revenue. Let's look at the Los Angeles FC net worth.
The stadium, especially, was a jackpot for them as they signed a deal worth $100 million with BMO for naming rights. The stadium is also used for concerts and other events, yielding more revenue.

Los Angeles FC Derbies

LAFC are involved in an intense crosstown rivalry with the LA Galaxy. The city’s famous traffic problem gave this clash a funny El-Trafico nickname. LA Galaxy handed Los Angeles FC their first-ever defeat in their history. The club had its moments going forward, but still lags behind the Galaxy in overall record. The El Trafico games were a matter of pride as they were so intense. The rivalry took a new shape when Vela of LAFC went head-to-head with the Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s LA Galaxy. The club also shares an intense on-field rivalry with fellow Western Conference rivals Seattle Sounders FC.

Los Angeles FC Trophies & Achievements

There weren't any expectations for the club to hit the ground running like they did. But a Supporters’ Shield triumph in the second season raised expectations. Titles became a necessity for the club. They did well to win another Shield a couple of years ago to prove they weren't one-time wonders. The Black and Gold Falcons became strong contenders in Cup competitions by winning them as well.

Future Goals

LAFC is already the richest club in the league. They have an appeal, unlike other clubs, to elite foreign talents. With eyes on the future, they are running a high-profile academy, knowing that youth would help them propagate the club more to the masses.
On the pitch, Carlos Vela, who was synonymous with the club, left them. They are in a transition phase as they look to rebuild and go after major trophies once again.