MLS
Carlos Vela opens up on future and contract with LAFC
The Mexican forward admitted that there has been no movement on a new deal, but his desire is still to continue with the Black & Gold.
Los Angeles Football Club will travel to play Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Saturday in the Western Conference semifinal of the MLS Cup 2023 playoffs. The game will be the second time the two teams have met in a season decider and Carlos Vela is the lone survivor of the loss his side went through in the 2019 season.
Back then, LAFC arrived as the big favourite after winning the Supporters’ Shield and with the Mexican breaking individual records for goals and assists. But the Sounders pulled off a surprise at the then Banc of California Stadium and overcame Vela to advance to the MLS Cup final with a 3-1 win.
Vela talks about Seattle clash
The Mexican striker, despite the obvious comparisons, said he does not see this game as a rematch as every season brings fresh challenges, but he assured that LAFC’s aim is to win MLS Cup for the second consecutive year: the last team to achieve this was LA Galaxy when they won the league in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
“It’s not revenge. Every year is different”, he said, “but both I and the whole team know that Seattle are very tough to beat, and even more so when they are playing on their home pitch on the artificial grass surface; it’s tough with how physical they are, they are such a dynamic and direct side that have always made things complicated for us. I have always said it that from my point of view, Seattle make things difficult for us, but we are going to try to win and always look to achieve our goal, which is the silverware”.
Will Vela sign a new contract at LAFC?
If Vela can’t guide his team to a win then LAFC, who have been linked with a move for Mexican forward Hirving Lozano, would be eliminated, something which could also spell the end of Carlos Vela, whose contract expires on December 31. The 34-year-old made it clear that his intention is to stay in Los Angeles for one more season, but if an agreement is not reached, he will look to sign with another team to carry on his career.
“Obviously my contract is up this season and at the moment there have been no talks so I can’t say anything about that. Of course, I’m willing to talk about staying. We are going to talk. In the end I’m not opposed to anything. I’m going to listen to what they think, what idea they have because in the end it’s not just my decision,” he admitted.
“It has to be something that works for both parties and if it works out I would be happy to continue and finish my career here at this team, but if it doesn’t, and if they see it differently, then it’s part of the game and I’ll look for another team,” added the captain.
What happens if Vela does not reach a deal with LAFC?
Carlos Vela was the first player in LAFC’s history and has created a legacy that will be difficult to match. The forward arrived at Major League Soccer in 2018, LAFC’s debut season in the league, and a year later he had broken every individual record: Vela won the Golden Boot and was named the 2019 Most Valuable Player after scoring 34 goals and 15 assists in 31 games, a number no one has managed to beat to date.
Should he fail to reach an agreement with the board to return next season, Carlos Vela will have fond memories in his six seasons with Los Angeles Football Club, a team with which he won two Supporters’ Shields and an MLS Cup. “I have many moments. The truth is complicated to choose. The easy thing would be the championship, but it has been a very nice path that LAFC and I have had with all the support and connection we have had with the people,” said the Mexican.
“The truth is that I am very happy to be here and until the last moment that I defend this team I will give my maximum effort and try to win as much as possible,” he concluded. According to AS sources, it is very likely that the board will renew the Mexican’s contract for one more season given what he has done for the club over the last six seasons.