LAFC hasn’t quite had the year many expected at the beginning of the season. They have been nowhere near the same time they were last season as they held the best record in not only the Western Conference but all of MLS. The defense as well as major injuries have tormented the club all year. While they haven’t been solid as a team, there have been some bright spots within the roster that have been honored with awards.
We first have to mention the inspiring efforts of Mark- Anthony Kaye who is a finalist for Humanitarian of the Year. The midfielder has been active in creating change all around the Los Angeles area.
Friday morning, Bradley Wright-Phillips was announced to be the 2020 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. The award, which is voted upon by current MLS Players, club staff, and the media; was awarded to Wright-Philips after rediscovering his offensive talent. It couldn’t come at a more needed time as star player Carlos Vela has been out most of the year with a knee injury. The Englishman scored eight goals and had six assists in 18 matches to help lead the offense alongside Diego Rossi.
Inspiring on and off the field. 🙌@MLSWORKS Humanitarian of the Year Finalists. pic.twitter.com/kTcuWYWWQS
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 11, 2020
Speaking of Rossi, the Uruguayan forward was honored with the Golden Boot Award after leading the league with 14 goals in only 19 games. His achievement marks the second year in a row that an LAFC player has taken home the award (Carlos Vela in 2019). The 22-year old became the top-scoring option this season with the absence of Vela and has led the club back to the playoffs despite its struggles.
🇲🇽 🤝 🇺🇾 @11carlosV and Diego Rossi are the first teammates in @MLS history to win back-to-back Golden Boots. #LAFC pic.twitter.com/95xAxGH7dm
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 9, 2020
In fact, Rossi has been such a huge part of why the team was able to remain in contention to the point where he has been named a finalist for the 2020 MLS MVP Award as well as the Young Player of the Year Award. Unfortunately for the club, they without their potential MVP alongside Brian Rodriguez, Jose Cifuentes, and Diego Palacios during their first playoff game against Seattle. They will all be away playing for their respective countries in World Cup qualifying matches but will be back in time. However, they will still not be allowed to play due to the nine-day quarantine period.
