Carlos Vela finally landed in Major League Soccer in 2018 joining expansion side LAFC for their inaugural season. Here are the top five goals from Vela’s 2018 season.
One of the highly anticipated players to arrive in Major League Soccer in 2018 was Carlos Vela. The Mexican international had been rumored before to be possibly moving to the league but nothing had surfaced until this year. As a Designated Player, Vela did not disappoint and lived up as the star player for Los Angeles FC.
Vela showed the elite goal-scoring ability that he displayed in La Liga for Real Sociedad. In 28 appearances, he scored 14 goals and contributed 13 assists. Despite missing a small stretch of the season due to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the numbers he put up were incredible.
To summarize his involvement, he was involved in 27 of LAFC’s 68 goals during the course of their MLS campaign. Vela finished eighth in the Golden Boot race but was only bettered by three players in front of him for goals and assists combined.
The goals Vela scored were simply beautiful at times and precision top corner finishes were his staple moment. Here are the top five goals from Vela’s first season in MLS.
5. vs. LA Galaxy
The first match between LAFC and LA Galaxy did not disappoint. Vela scored two goals in the match and this one put on display his patience and creativeness in the box. Although LAFC would go on to lose the match, Vela cemented his status as one of the top strikers in the league in light of his performance.
Have a day, @11carlosV!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 31, 2018
Another quality finish makes it 2-0. #LAvLAFC https://t.co/WLsFLA3pxt
4. vs. Portland Timbers
Our first signature left foot curler from Vela came against the Timbers as he places this one perfectly into the corner of the net. There are more goals like this strike to come.
CARLOS. VELA. 😮
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 19, 2018
We've seen that before! #PORvLAFC https://t.co/ruIa5dtFQI
3. vs. Toronto FC
Vela blasts this shot home from an impossible angle to close out a 4-2 win against the defending MLS champions Toronto FC. During this match, he recorded two goals and an assist. It was arguably one of his best single-match performances of 2018.
Why not, @11carlosV?
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 2, 2018
He ended this one in style. #TORvLAFC https://t.co/h7oKku5te5
2. vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
When you give Vela time and space to set up his signature left foot shot, this is what usually ends up happening.
😳 @11carlosV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 14, 2018
What a goal. #VANvLAFC https://t.co/EcnMqrQOuj
1. vs. LA Galaxy
The precision and placement on this perfectly driven shot certainly makes it one of the top goals of the year in the league.
The FIRST GOAL in #LAvLAFC history!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 31, 2018
Take a bow, @11carlosV! https://t.co/ZkyAOqCtz4
Expect more exciting goals from Vela as he and the high powered LAFC offense look to make another run in 2019.