1. Season Opener For History
Since entering MLS, LAFC is UNBEATEN in a season opener. With a win against Portland, the Black & Gold would match the longest season-opener winning streak in league history. (6, FC Dallas / 2012-17)
2. Three-Headed Monster
LAFC finished third in MLS last season with 3,365 successful passes into in the opponents final 1/3. The Black & Gold were the only team to have three players appear in the MLS Top 20 in successful passing into the final 1/3, with Kellyn Acosta, Jose Cifuentes and Carlos Vela all ranking amongst league leaders.
That trio alone accounted for 1,171 of LAFC’s successful passes - with Vela ranked No. 9 in MLS for most-passes played into the box in 2022 (239). You guessed it – all that passing into the box saw LAFC lead the league in 2022 for most shots and most shots on target inside the box.
3. Quite Substantial
Of the 15 goals LAFC scored off the bench in 2022, each sub was able to find the back of the net within 13 MINUTES of taking the field.
4. Chancemaker Cifuentes
Jose Cifuentes was LAFC’s second-most involved player in open play attacking sequences (150) in 2022, ranking behind only Carlos Vela (159).
5. Enter At Your Own Risk
Palacios ranked No. 4 among all MLS defenders in 2022 with 170 duels won. With 87 tackles in 2022, Palacios also ranked in the TOP 4 in MLS.
