MLS
Carlos Vela scores his third hat-trick in LAFC’s home opener
The Mexico international was on point right from the start of the match and scored a hat-trick to give LAFC the 3-0 win against Colorado Rapids.
Carlos Vela and Los Angeles FC are in ongoing negotiations regarding his future, with his contract due to end in the summer. The Mexico international has been the most important player since LAFC made their debut in 2018, but in the past two years he has been struggling with injuries.
Vela has made it clear that if the offer from LAFC is good, he will extend his stay, but at the end of the day it is not up to him. The people in charge are not sure if the 32-year-old can stay healthy due to the amount of games he has missed in the last two seasons - the reason why they haven’t offered him a contract extension just yet.
Vela made a statement in home opener
With his future up in the air, Carlos Vela had quite a night with LAFC in the beginning of the 2022 Major League Soccer regular season. The Mexican international scored a hat-trick to give Los Angeles FC a 3-0 win against Colorado Rapids. Also, this was Vela’s third hat-trick in Major League Soccer and the seventh to score one in franchise history.
The 32-year-old scored the two goals with his left foot and the other with his right to show that he can still be the league's top player. Vela excited the match in the 86th minute and he received a standing ovation from the home crowd at the Banc of California. Also, the former Arsenal player scored his 60th goal in regular season for LAFC and the next match will be at home against Portland Timbers on 6 March.