Los Angeles FC defeat Colorado Rapids on Vela's return to starting XI

Los Angeles FC were having a tough start to the 2021 Major League Soccer regular season. Prior to facing Colorado Rapids, they were at the bottom of the Western Conference with five points and a record of 1-2-2. Also the 2019 MVP, Carlos Vela, only played 21 minutes in the season opener and then missed the next three games due to an injury.

Carlos Vela picks up first assist of the season

In week five against Seattle Sounders, the Mexican international came on as a sub in the 70th minute, but little could he do to prevent LAFC from losing 2-0 at CenturyLink Field. After having a full week of practice, he returned to the starting XI in week six against Colorado Rapids at Banc of California stadium.

In the 14th minute Diego Rossi would score the first goal of the match to give the home team the early lead. Then in the 33rd minute, Vela received the ball on the right side and started cutting in from the left, leaving defenders behind. Then the 32-year-old gave a through ball to Rossi, who rifled the ball in to make it 2-0.

“I think when you watch us play, our ability to play from inside to outside and then outside to inside, whether it’s with passes or dribbling from outside to inside, is a big way that we find spaces and openings and Carlos [Vela’s] ability to do that from the right is so important in the way we attack. Definitely that started the goals in the way that we were able to get into the middle third and then spread them out and then come from the outside in and find some of the right passes,” said LAFC coach Bob Bradley regarding Vela’s form.

Vela came off in the 60th minute for Danny Musovski. Colorado Rapids answered back in the second half and Michael Barrios scored in the 50th minute. But LAFC started to control possession and were able to take the victory and the points at the end of the 90 minutes.