Where we left off last year
2025 season: 60 points, 3rd in the Western Conference, 6th in MLS
There were a handful of tentpole moments last season for LAFC.
There was manager Steve Cherundolo announcing his planned decision to leave the club and return to Germany. There was a victorious one-game playoff against Club America that sent them to the Club World Cup. There was a wild Western Conference semifinal playoff clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps, which featured one of the greatest goals in MLS postseason history. And then, of course, there was the signing of the man who scored that goal in Vancouver: Son Heung-min.
Signed for a league-record transfer fee of around $26 million, Son supercharged LAFC to finish the season, though they fell two games short of MLS Cup. Now? Son and co. are back for more.
What changed in the offseason
Notable arrivals:
- Marc Dos Santos, manager: The former Vancouver Whitecaps manager was named Steve Cherundolo’s successor over the winter. Dos Santos is one of three managers hired over the offseason to go from assistant to head coach within the same organization, which sure seems like it may start being more of a trend around the league. While the Canadian isn’t a flashy hire for a club that’s no stranger to getting those sorts of deals done, he represents continuity for one of MLS’s most successful clubs. You could sure do a lot worse.
- Stephen Eustaquio, CM: In one of the most eye-catching moves of the MLS offseason at large, LAFC signed Eustaquio on loan from Porto through the end of June with an option to buy. Reportedly, that option to buy sits at a cool $7 million, meaning the Canadian international would be a Designated Player should LAFC decide to pick up said option. While that seems extremely unlikely, Eustaquio is a major talent in central midfield and should improve LAFC’s starting lineup for as long as he’s around. With more than 5,000 minutes at Porto under his belt, the 29-year-old will add top-tier ball progression and impactful defensive work.
