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LAFC making case to be MLS’ top attacking unit

ByDaniel Garza|
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 9: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Minnesota United at the Banc of California Stadium on May 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-0 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 9: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Minnesota United at the Banc of California Stadium on May 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-0 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)

The recent performance by striker Adama Diomande has added yet another dimension to LAFC’s attack. Are they now the best in MLS?

In just sixteen matches, Los Angeles FC have established themselves as a contender for the 2018 Major League Soccer title. One more win will take them to 10 on the season and the top of the table in the Western Conference. This has been a dream start for LAFC and their offense has played a big part of the early season success.

Carlos Vela wasted no time in establishing himself as the club’s goalscoring machine with seven goals in 12 matches, and was complimented nicely by Diego Rossi who started off well with three goals and four assists in his first three matches. Since then, Rossi has fallen off the pace he set in the opening weeks, but he’s still a player who is capable of getting back into form before the end of the summer.

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Vela’s absence due to the World Cup left a void that would be hard to replace on the roster. Additionally, Marco Urena was bid farewell to represent Costa Rica. Both of these players had been instrumental in the offensive production for LAFC and it would be difficult to see how the team would deal with their absence.

Diomande answers the call

When Adama Diomande arrived on May 2nd, no one saw what was coming for the Norwegian striker’s first five matches in MLS, including a hattrick against Philadelphia Union at the weekend. The former Hull City striker has gone on to score seven goals, is undoubtedly one of the hottest strikers in the league right now in terms of goalscoring form, and he is showing no signs of slowing down.

All of a sudden LAFC have two dangerous strikers to utilize. Vela and Diomande have the potential to be the best goalscoring duo in the league and could both reach 20 goals on the year if they continue their form.

Diomande has entered the MLS Golden Boot race out of nowhere and is going to get even more opportunities when you factor the return of Urena and the addition of Andre Horta.

Horta the difference maker?

The arrival of Horta has been much-anticipated for months. His presence in the midfield will add another dimension to the attack and has the ability to create plays and give Vela and Diomande the service they need to enjoy even more scoring opportunities.

One can’t forget Latif Blessing either, the midfielder had a fine match against the Philadelphia Union and his speed is proving to be hard to deal with for opposing clubs. Lee Nguyen is also coming to form which can only help the side, as will the deep-lying, creative distribution of Benny Feilhaber.

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As one can tell, LAFC are beginning to have one of the most loaded offensive rosters in the league. Atlanta United better watch out, because the expansion club is on the rise and could rival the goalscoring machine’s ability. By the end of the year, this could well be the best attacking unit in the league.

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