Carlos Vela emphatically sealed the MLS single-season goal-scoring record on Sunday afternoon against the Colorado Rapids.
Wrapping up a season that saw a lot accomplished, especially for a second-year team, believe it or not, there was still more for LAFC to accomplish on Decision Day.
There was an individual goal that was up for grabs, as well as a team honor to claim, and both were claimed in emphatic fashion. Carlos Vela’s hat trick set a new record for goals in a season, and LAFC set the record for most points accumulated in a season, all of which became official following LAFC’s 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids.
“In the end every [goal]is special,” Vela said. “I’m happy and enjoying every minute that passes on the field. For me, every moment I spend here with the club and my teammates, I’m really happy to be here and every moment is special so I can’t choose one.”
Vela didn’t just set the single-season goal record, he obliterated it, as his 34 goals are three better that Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez’s 31 goals just a season ago. The record for Vela had actually been on a bit of a shaky ground, as the LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic was just two goals behind him and had scored earlier in the day against the Houston Dynamo, but Vela’s performance against Colorado put any of that to rest. LAFC’s 72 points (21-4-9) also makes them three points better than the 2017 Toronto FC squad.
“The most points in the history is really important because we showed how good we are,” Vela said. “It shows how good our chemistry is but we want more. If we don’t win the MLS cup then the record is nothing so we have to keep working.”
The moment came for Vela in the 28th minute. Blessing passed a ball to Vela, who took a few touches while gathering himself into a shooting position. Vela didn’t waste anymore time after that, as he fired a left-footed volley that sailed past keeper Tim Howard at the upper right corner.
Vela wasn’t done filling the highlight reel, let alone scoring goals. Eduard Atuesta played Tristan Blackmon into the penalty area, Blackmon saved the ball from sailing over the end line with a header, which fell to Vela just outside the six-yard box. Vela let the ball bounce in front of him and with Rapids defender Tommy Smith behind, him, the bounce was good enough for him to launch a bicycle kick that lasered past Howard into the back net to send Banc of California Stadium into pandemonium. Vela completed the hat trick in the 51st minute, as Blackmon sprinted with the ball from the right, crossed into the penalty area and Vela touched a ball at the six past Howard into the back net.
“Like every game, we tried to make the football good and I think we had really good periods. The first 35 or 40 minutes, for me, a lot of really good ball movement. A lot of moments where our reactions to win balls back was quick.”
Not comes a long but deserved break for LAFC. First for the international break this coming weekend, then a first-round bye that will see LAFC take a total of 18 days off before playing in its first ever playoff game on October 24.
LAFC
MLS
