Los Angeles FC

Los Angeles FC
Team logo
Full name Los Angeles Football Club
Nickname(s) The Black and Gold [1]
Founded October 30, 2014 (October 30, 2014)
Stadium Banc of California Stadium
Los Angeles, California
Capacity 22,000
Owners
Executive chairman Peter Guber[2]
Head coach Bob Bradley
League Major League Soccer
Website Club website

Los Angeles Football Club is an American professional soccer franchise based in Los Angeles, California, that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference.[3][4] LAFC play their home games at the Banc of California Stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood. The team shares the Los Angeles area market with the LA Galaxy, and the two clubs compete in a rivalry dubbed El Tráfico.

History

On October 30, 2014, Major League Soccer awarded a new expansion team to Los Angeles, filling the vacancy in the market created by the dissolution of Chivas USA three days earlier.[5] On September 15, 2015, the club announced that Los Angeles Football Club, which had previously been used as a placeholder name for the club, would be the official team name.[6] Henry Nguyen, Los Angeles FC's principal owner at the time, hinted at this possibility shortly after the club was announced in describing the name as "timeless".[7]

LAFC announced Bob Bradley as its head coach in July 2017,[8] joining general director John Thorrington in a search for players.[9] Mexican midfielder Carlos Vela was signed as the club's first designated player on August 11, 2017.[10]

On March 4, 2018, LAFC played its first MLS game, a 1–0 win against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. LAFC designated player Diego Rossi scored in the 11th minute, assisted by Carlos Vela.[11]

On March 31, 2018, LAFC suffered its first MLS loss, giving up a 3–0 lead to lose 4–3 to LA Galaxy in the MLS debut of Zlatan Ibrahimović.[12][13] LAFC was the second team ever to lose an MLS game after leading 3–0 during the match.[14] On October 6, 2018, LAFC clinched its first playoff spot after a 3–0 victory against the Colorado Rapids.

Colors and badge

The club's colors and logo were unveiled on January 7, 2016, at Union Station.[15][16] The club's primary colors are black and gold, with red and gray used as accent colors. The Art Deco-inspired logo incorporates a shield outline referencing the city seal, with a winged "LA" monogram and the words "Los Angeles" and "Football Club" in Neutraface. The crest was designed by Matthew Wolff.[17]

Sponsorship

On January 31, 2018, LAFC announced that YouTube TV would be the club's jersey sponsor in addition to broadcasting local matches in English.[18][19]

Stadium

On May 17, 2015, the team chose the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena site to build a 22,000-seat state of the art stadium for the MLS in Exposition Park, costing $250 million. The group estimated the project would create 1,200 temporary construction jobs and 1,800 full-time jobs, generating $2.5 million in annual tax revenue.[20] The environmental impact report, arena demolition, and stadium construction were expected to take three years and delay the team's debut to 2018.

On May 6, 2016, the Los Angeles City Council approved the stadium, clearing a way for the construction of the stadium.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 23, 2016. At the event attended by owners and construction crews, LAFC announced a 15-year, $100 million naming rights deal for the stadium with the Banc of California.[21][22][23] Demolition of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena began shortly after the groundbreaking and was completed by October 2016.[24][25]

The first public event at the stadium was an open practice and dedication ceremony held on April 18, 2018.[26] The club's first home match was played on April 29, 2018, against Seattle Sounders FC, with the home side winning 1–0.[27][28] The lone goal was scored by Laurent Ciman in stoppage time in front of a capacity crowd of 22,000.[28]

Club culture

Much of the marketing focus was to millennials, which led to the decision to play near downtown Los Angeles.[29] LAFC has taken a grassroots approach to building the club by founding the LAFC academy and signing younger prospects including Americans Walker Zimmerman and Los Angeles native Tristan Blackmon, Portuguese draft pick João Moutinho,[30] and Uruguayan prospect Diego Rossi.

The club shares the Los Angeles market with the LA Galaxy; the two teams' rivalry is nicknamed El Tráfico.[31]

Supporters

The 3252 section unveil a tifo before the second El Tráfico

LAFC supporters are known collectively as "The 3252", a reference to the number of seats in the safe standing supporters section at Banc of California Stadium. The 3252 is the club's independent supporters union, which encompasses a number of affiliated supporters groups, including the Black Army 1850, District 9 Ultras, Expo Originals, LAFC Cuervos, Lucky Boys, and several others.[32][33]

Falcon program

The club's Falcon program includes four real-life falcons who participate in various gameday and community events. The four falcons are named after famous streets in Los Angeles: "Olly" (Olvera Street), "Fig" (Figueroa Street), "Sunny" (Sunset Boulevard), and "Mel" (Melrose Avenue).[34]

Rivalries

The club's main rival is the LA Galaxy, who play in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.

"El Tráfico" (literally "The Traffic" in Spanish) was a term created by MLS fans and adopted by media outlets following polls by SB Nation blogs LAG Confidential[35] and Angels on Parade.[31][36][37] It refers to the notorious traffic congestion in Los Angeles,[36][38] among the worst in the United States and the world, while serving as a pun on "El Clásico".[39] MLS has no plans to trademark the name.[40] The rivalry has also been called the "Los Angeles Derby",[41] a moniker that was also used for the SuperClasico.[42]

Ownership

Chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group and entrepreneur Peter Guber is executive chairman, former National Basketball Association executive Tom Penn is president, and venture capitalist Henry Nguyen is vice-chairman.[43] The ownership group also includes businessmen Ruben Gnanalingam and Vincent Tan.[7] In addition, the club has a further 22 named investors including Magic Johnson, Nomar Garciaparra and Mia Hamm-Garciaparra, Chad Hurley, Tony Robbins and Will Ferrell.[7][43][44][45]

Broadcasting

LAFC matches are broadcast regionally in English by YouTube TV, with the team's channel carrying live games and supplemental coverage. It marks the first time that a major U.S. professional sports team has sold their regional broadcast rights to an online streaming service as opposed to a traditional television broadcaster or regional sports network. Max Bretos is the teams’s lead play-by-play announcer.[18][19][46] LAFC matches are televised in Spanish on UniMás KFTR 46.[47] Regular local radio coverage of LAFC matches is provided in English by KSPN (ESPNLA 710), with Dave Denholm serving as the radio play-by-play announcer. Spanish radio broadcasts are provided by KFWB (980), with Armando Aguayo as the play-by-play announcer.[48]

Players and staff

Current roster

As of August 28, 2018[49]
No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Tyler Miller  United States
2 Defender Jordan Harvey  United States
3 Defender Steven Beitashour  Iran
5 Defender Dejan Jakovic  Canada
6 Defender Danilo Silva (on loan from Internacional)  Brazil
7 Forward Latif Blessing  Ghana
8 Midfielder André Horta (DP)  Portugal
9 Forward Diego Rossi (DP)  Uruguay
10 Forward Carlos Vela (DP)  Mexico
11 Midfielder Aaron Kovar (HGP; on loan from Seattle Sounders FC)  United States
12 Forward Christian Ramirez  United States
13 Goalkeeper Charlie Lyon  United States
14 Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye  Canada
16 Midfielder Calum Mallace  Scotland
18 Forward Joshua Pérez  United States
18 Goalkeeper Quillan Roberts  Canada
19 Midfielder James Murphy  United States
20 Midfielder Eduard Atuesta  Colombia
21 Forward Marco Ureña  Costa Rica
22 Goalkeeper Luis López  Honduras
24 Midfielder Lee Nguyen  United States
25 Defender Walker Zimmerman  United States
33 Midfielder Benny Feilhaber  United States
44 Defender João Moutinho (GA)  Portugal
99 Forward Adama Diomande  Norway

Out on loan

No. Position Player Nation
27 Defender Tristan Blackmon (on loan to Phoenix Rising)  United States
28 Forward Shaft Brewer Jr. (on loan to Phoenix Rising)  United States
32 Midfielder Nicolás Czornomaz (on loan to Orange County SC)  Argentina
77 Forward Steeve Saint-Duc (on loan to Strømmen IF)  Haiti

Coaching staff

As of May 3, 2018[50]
Technical staff
Head coach Bob Bradley
Assistant coach Ante Razov
Assistant coach Marc Dos Santos
Assistant coach Kenny Arena
Goalkeeping coach Zak Abdel
Director of soccer operations Mike Sorber

Team management

As of May 3, 2018[51]
Front office
Lead managing owner Larry Berg
Co-managing owner Brandon Beck
Co-managing owner Bennett Rosenthal
Executive chairman and owner Peter Guber
President and owner Tom Penn
Vice-chairman and owner Henry Nguyen
Director and owner Ruben Gnanalingam
Director and owner Vincent Tan
Executive vice president and general manager, soccer operations John Thorrington
Vice president and assistant general manager, soccer operations Will Kuntz

Development system

Orange County SC

Orange County SC, competing in the United Soccer League, is affiliated with Los Angeles FC. LAFC entered into a multi-year affiliation agreement with the team on December 7, 2016.[52] Orange County SC is independently owned by James Keston.

Academy

On February 1, 2016, the club announced the founding of the LAFC Academy.[53] The academy is launching with a fully funded U12 USSDA academy team with a roster of 26 players. Todd Saldana currently serves as academy director.[54]

On August 21, 2018, the U-13 squad won the CONCACAF Champions League, as champions of North America.

References

  1. ↑ https://lafc.exposure.co/the-first-captain-in-club-history
  2. 1 2 "Our Ownership". Los Angeles FC. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  3. ↑ Bartlett, Blair (September 15, 2015). "Los Angeles' newest Major League Soccer team announces official club name and launches collaborative effort with supporters to identity club colors with social media campaign" (PDF) (Press release). Los Angeles Football Club. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (May 17, 2015). "Expansion L.A. soccer team plans new stadium on Sports Arena site". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Major League Soccer awards new team to Los Angeles". October 30, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  6. ↑ "LA's MLS expansion team announces official club name: Los Angeles Football Club". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 Grant Wahl. "How did LAFC come to be? These businessmen are behind MLS' newest team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  8. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (July 27, 2017). "Bob Bradley is back in the MLS to become Los Angeles Football Club's first coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  9. ↑ Dwyer, Alex (September 12, 2017). "Spanning the globe: LAFC casting wide net in search of players". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  10. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (August 11, 2017). "Carlos Vela happy — but lonely — as LAFC's first designated player". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  11. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (March 4, 2018). "LAFC thrill new fans by winning their inaugural game against Seattle Sounders". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  12. ↑ Ian Quillen (March 31, 2018). "LA Galaxy 4, Los Angeles Football Club 3 | 2018 MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  13. ↑ Lutz, Tom (March 31, 2018). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic's low-key MLS debut: a wondergoal then the winner for LA Galaxy". the Guardian. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  14. ↑ Quillen, Ian (March 31, 2018). "LA Galaxy 4, Los Angeles Football Club 3 2018 MLS Match Recap". mlssoccer. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Our Crest". Los Angeles Football Club - LAFC. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  16. ↑ Couch, Ben. "LAFC unveil crest, logo, colors ahead of MLS launch in 2018". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  17. ↑ "LOS ANGELES FC". Matthew Wolff Design. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  18. 1 2 "LAFC And YouTube TV Form Historic Broadcast And Jersey Partnership". Los Angeles FC. January 31, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  19. 1 2 Baxter, Kevin (January 31, 2018). "LAFC reaches jersey, streaming deal with YouTube TV". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  20. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (May 17, 2015). "Expansion L.A. Soccer Team Plans New Stadium on Sports Arena Site". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  21. ↑ "LAFC owners join with Los Angeles business and community leaders to break ground on Bank of California Stadium" (Press release). Los Angeles FC. August 23, 2016. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  22. ↑ Koren, James Rufus (August 23, 2016). "Banc of California snags naming rights for L.A. Football Club soccer stadium". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  23. ↑ Novy-Williams, Eben (August 23, 2016). "Bank Run by 41-Year-Old Signs $100 Million Stadium-Name Deal". Bloomberg News. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  24. ↑ "LAFC Job Fair Flyer" (PDF). Los Angeles Football Club. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  25. ↑ "RIP Sports Arena: Aerial Shots Capture Demolished Former Home Of Lakers, Clippers, DNC". CBS Los Angeles. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  26. ↑ Brewer, Ashley (April 18, 2018). "Los Angeles Football Club's Banc of California Stadium officially unveiled in Exposition Park". ABC 7. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  27. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (December 18, 2017). "LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  28. 1 2 "Boxscore: Los Angeles Football Club vs. Seattle Sounders FC 04/30/2018 | Matchcenter". Matchcenter.mlssoccer.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  29. ↑ Baxter, Kevin. "Marketing to millennials, Los Angeles Football Club looking to stand apart". latimes.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  30. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (January 29, 2018). "LAFC make Joao Moutinho its first-ever draft pick". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  31. 1 2 Wiebe, Andrew (March 28, 2018). "Wiebe: First-ever "El Trafico" will lay stakes for LA Galaxy-LAFC rivalry". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Supporters | Los Angeles Football Club". Lafc.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  33. ↑ Radio, Southern California Public (April 18, 2018). "LA Football Club diehards wanted a stadium that was loud, intimidating and never let you sit down". Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Falcon | Los Angeles Football Club". LAFC.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  35. ↑ "What are we calling the LA Galaxy LAFC rivalry?". LAG Confidential. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  36. 1 2 Baxter, Kevin (March 28, 2018). "Galaxy and LAFC fans are taking new rivalry very seriously". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Poll: What should we call the LAFC-LA Galaxy rivalry?". Angels on Parade. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  38. ↑ Davis, Matt (March 29, 2018). "Will Ferrell v Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Los Angeles FC prepare to face Galaxy on derby day". BBC Sport. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  39. ↑ "L.A.'s traffic congestion is world's worst for sixth straight year, study says". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  40. ↑ Lalas, Alexi [@AlexiLalas] (March 28, 2018). "The first-ever @LAGalaxy vs. @LAFC game is Saturday 3 pm ET on @FOXTV. This LA derby is being called "El Tráfico." @MLS says the fans came up with the name and the League has no plans to trademark it. #ElTrafico #LAvLAFC" (Tweet). Retrieved March 29, 2018 – via Twitter.
  41. ↑ Lutz, Tom (March 31, 2018). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic's low-key MLS debut: a wondergoal then the winner for LA Galaxy". The Guardian. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  42. ↑ Lalas, Greg (October 26, 2009). "L.A. derby finally means something". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  43. 1 2 "LAFC Ownership". Los Angeles FC. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  44. ↑ Mendola, Nicholas (October 30, 2014). "Los Angeles officially given new MLS team; Magic Johnson, Vincent Tan among investors". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Will Ferrell announced as LAFC part owner". Sports Illustrated. January 7, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  46. ↑ Wallenstein, Andrew; Spangler, Todd (January 31, 2018). "YouTube TV Strikes Unprecedented Deal for Pro Sports TV Rights". Variety. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  47. ↑ April 2, 201811:12AM PDT (April 2, 2018). "LAFC Announces Broadcast Partnership With Univision Los Angeles | Los Angeles Football Club". Lafc.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  48. ↑ "LAFC Announces ESPNLA 710AM & KFWB 980 AM As Official Radio Broadcast Partners". Lafc.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Los Angeles FC Roster". Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Los Angeles FC Technical Staff".
  51. ↑ "Los Angeles FC Team Management".
  52. ↑ "LAFC, Orange County Blues FC Announce Multi-Year Partnership". United Soccer League. December 7, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  53. ↑ "U.S. Soccer Development Academy Adds 56 Clubs at Under-12 Division for 2016-17 Season". United States Soccer Federation. February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  54. ↑ "LAFC Academy - Staff". lafc.academy. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
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