The Los Angeles FC history reflects the rise of a modern powerhouse in Major League Soccer. From talented Los Angeles FC players to the stunning Los Angeles FC stadium, the club has quickly become a fan favorite. Founded in 2014, LAFC continues to make its mark through strong performances, passionate supporters, and championship ambitions.
Established
2014
City
Los Angeles
League History
2018 – Present / Major League Soccer
Team History
2018 – Present / Los Angeles FC
Nickname
Los Angeles FC – Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a professional soccer team based in Los Angeles, California, competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). Founded in 2014, LAFC has quickly become one of the most popular teams on the West Coast. But what does their nickname mean?
Los Angeles FC Origin
The origins of LAFC’s nickname can be traced back to its roots as an expansion franchise. The “LA” stands for Los Angeles, while “FC” stands for Football Club - a common name many international football clubs worldwide use. This choice was intentional and meant to reflect LA's global appeal and rich history with professional soccer dating back over 50 years.
In addition to being symbolic of its home city, the club wanted something unique that would stand out from other MLS teams, such as Real Salt Lake or Sporting Kansas City, with more traditional names like Royals or Claret-and-Cobalt, respectively. Using FC instead of SC (Soccer Club), they could differentiate themselves from other MLS franchises while still paying homage to their sport's long tradition abroad.
Furthermore, it should be noted that when pronounced correctly, "LAFC" sounds similar to phonetically speaking with "laugh." It is no coincidence, then, why some fans refer affectionately call them 'the laughs,' which is yet another reminder about how much fun it can be watching this exciting team play each week!
So there you have it: now you know where LAFc came from and why they chose this name! Whether you are a new fan just discovering them or a longtime supporter who has been following since day one – we hope knowing these details will help deepen your appreciation for all things related to LAFC!
Championship
MLS Cups 0
Stadium
2018 - Present / Banc of California Stadium
Owner
2014 - Present / Peter Guber (Executive Chairman), Henry Nguyen, Tom Penn, Ruben Gnanalingam, Vincent Tan, Brandon Beck, Larry Berg, Will Ferrell, Nomar Garciaparra, Mia Hamm, Chad Hurley, Magic Johnson, Tucker Kain, Kirk Lacob, Mark Leschly, Mike Mahan, Irwin Raij, Tony Robbins, Lon Rosen, Bennett Rosenthal, Paul Schaeffer, Brandon Schneider, Mark Shapiro, Allen Shapiro, Jason Sugarman, Harry Tsao
- 2018
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
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Los Angeles FC Team Formation
LAFC announced Bob Bradley as its head coach in July 2017, joining general director John Thorrington in a search for players. Mexican midfielder Carlos Vela was signed as the club’s first designated player on August 11, 2017. On March 4, 2018, LAFC played its first MLS game, a 1–0 win against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. LAFC ... -
Carlos Vela – club’s captain and star player
Carlos Vela: The 34-year-old winger is the club’s captain and star player, having joined from Real Sociedad in 2018. He has scored 64 goals and provided 38 assists in 92 games for the club, breaking the MLS record for most goals in a single season with 34 in 2019. He also won the MLS MVP award that year and has ... -
Los Angeles FC wins Supporters’ Shield
In 2019: Los Angeles FC has its best season in club history, finishing first in the Western Conference and winning its first Supporters’ Shield, finishing with the best regular season record in MLS with 72 points. -
Los Angeles FC in CONCACAF Final
In 2020: The Los Angeles club participated in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time, reaching the final before losing to Tigres UANL of Mexico 2–12. -
Los Angeles FC reached Western conference semifinals
In 2021: Los Angeles FC finishes fifth in the Western Conference and qualifies for the playoffs, where they beat Portland Timbers 2–1 in the first round before losing to Colorado Rapids 3–2 in the conference semifinals.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Los Angeles FC History
The Los Angeles FC history began in 2014 when the club was founded in Los Angeles, California, with a vision to redefine professional soccer in the United States. As one of the most ambitious franchises in Major League Soccer, LAFC quickly gained recognition for its success, world-class Los Angeles FC players, and passionate fan culture centered around the Los Angeles FC stadium, BMO Stadium (formerly Banc of California Stadium).
The club was founded by a high-profile group of investors led by Henry Nguyen, Peter Guber, and Tom Penn, aiming to establish a team that represented the city’s diversity and energy. With Bob Bradley appointed as the first head coach, Los Angeles FC players like Carlos Vela brought immediate star power and attacking brilliance to the squad, shaping the early years of Los Angeles FC history.
LAFC’s first MLS season kicked off in 2018, and they wasted no time making an impact. The club finished third in the Western Conference and secured a playoff berth in their debut year. Their home ground, the state-of-the-art Los Angeles FC stadium, became an iconic venue known for its electric atmosphere and vibrant supporter section, “The 3252.”
Los Angeles Football Achievements
In 2019, the team achieved one of its biggest milestones by winning the Supporters’ Shield, awarded for the best regular-season record in MLS. Led by captain Carlos Vela, who set a new league record for most goals in a single season, Los Angeles FC history marked this period as a golden era of dominance. The team later reached the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League Final, narrowly losing to Tigres UANL but demonstrating their growing international strength.
In recent years, Los Angeles FC players have continued to showcase exceptional talent, contributing to another Supporters’ Shield win in 2022 and capturing their first-ever MLS Cup title that same year. The Los Angeles FC stadium once again served as the stage for an unforgettable final where LAFC triumphed dramatically over the Philadelphia Union.
Today, Los Angeles FC history stands as a story of rapid success, resilience, and global recognition. With talented Los Angeles FC players, passionate fans, and a world-class Los Angeles FC stadium, the club continues to push boundaries, shaping the future of soccer in Los Angeles and Major League Soccer.
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history