From Ambition to Reflection: LAFC’s 2024 Journey and the Road Ahead

When the final whistle blew at BMO Stadium, the rain falling on LAFC’s title hopes felt heavier than the Seattle Sounders’ narrow 2-1 victory. As Maxime Chanot’s inadvertent own goal sealed the fate of LAFC’s season, it wasn’t just the sound of defeat that echoed through the stands—it was the lingering question of what now?

This was a year of paradoxes for the Black and Gold. They began with ambition, chasing every trophy they were eligible for, much like in their exhausting 2023 campaign. While they captured the U.S. Open Cup and showed signs of progression, the rest slipped through their fingers. A Leagues Cup Final loss to Columbus Crew that sent shivers down their spine much like their defeat to them in the 2023 MLS Cup and a semifinal MLS Cup Playoff exit to Seattle in the semifinal round, despite having home advantage, left them with one trophy—a respectable achievement but insufficient for a team built to contend on every front. 

With the sting of the playoffs still fresh, LAFC faces an offseason of reckoning. Decisions on key players, tactical approaches, and long-term strategy loom large. Can they recalibrate to sustain dominance in Major League Soccer? Or does this season signal the beginning of a decline? Here’s what lies ahead for LAFC.

1. Navigating Departures: Who Stays, Who Goes?

The offseason is poised to be one of significant roster turnover. Defenders Aaron Long and Jesús Murillo, along with midfielders Ilie Sánchez and Erik Dueñas, are out of contract. Long, Murillo, and Sánchez are eligible for MLS Free Agency, as is midfielder Gastón Brugman. LAFC is reportedly in talks to retain Long, Murillo, Marlon Vargas, and Dueñas. 

The loan for midfielder Eduard Atuesta from Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras expires on December 31, 2024, and negotiations are ongoing for a permanent deal. Similarly, Lewis O’Brien’s loan from Nottingham Forest is set to expire, and LAFC aims to extend his stay.

Meanwhile, players like Nathan Ordóñez and José Cifuentes, who attracted interest from Europe, are potential candidates for departure. Others, such as defenders Maxime Chanot and Jesús Murillo, may face scrutiny over their performances this year. Chanot’s own goal in the playoffs serves as a painful reminder of how one moment can define a season.

The challenge for LAFC’s front office is to balance retaining key contributors with integrating new talent. With the club’s core in flux, every decision will ripple into their 2025 campaign.

2. Picking the Right Battles: Learning from Exhaustion

LAFC’s 2024 campaign was defined by ambition—but also by exhaustion. The club competed on three fronts with a depleted roster after a massive turnover at the end of their 2023 season, playing a grueling schedule that included the MLS season, U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup. While they claimed the Open Cup, the strain showed in their league form and playoff exit.

Is it time for LAFC to prioritize? Winning one trophy is commendable, but the cost of spreading themselves thin is evident. The players often appeared fatigued, and injuries mounted as the season wore on. Could focusing on fewer competitions allow them to maintain the consistency needed to dominate the league?

This year’s lesson may be one of humility: success doesn’t always come from trying to do everything. If LAFC wants to add another MLS Cup to their cabinet, they’ll need to strike a better balance between ambition and sustainability.

3. Olivier Giroud: A Striker Who Never Struck

Speaking of striking... When Olivier Giroud joined LAFC, expectations soared. The World Cup-winning striker was meant to be the centerpiece of their attack, a talisman who could elevate their frontline. Instead, he delivered a perplexing season of missed opportunities and underwhelming performances.

Giroud failed to score a single league goal—a shocking statistic for a player of his caliber. Often appearing fatigued and out of sync with LAFC’s high-intensity style, the French forward rarely posed a true threat in front of goal. His decision-making, once lauded at the highest levels of football, seemed hesitant and misguided in MLS.

What went wrong? Was it tactical incompatibility, physical decline, or simply a failure to adjust to the league? Whatever the cause, Giroud’s time in Los Angeles feels like a cautionary tale about marquee signings. For a club that values results over reputation, his future with the team is now in serious doubt. Head coach Steve Cherundolo remains hopeful that with a full preseason, Giroud will present as a more formidable champion of a team that has been desperately seeking a number nine striker to fill in the long gone Chicho Arango's MLS-Cup winning boots. 

4. Carlos Vela: A Legend at a Crossroads

Like a refrain, Carlos Vela’s story at LAFC is one of meteoric highs and poignant lows. Once the face of the franchise and its record-setting talisman, Vela’s contributions trickled down to four minutes in 2024, casting a shadow over his legacy. After re-signing with the club midseason, the 35-year-old’s impact was negligible, and reduced influence in crucial matches. LAFC declined Vela’s contract option for 2025, signaling the end of an era for a player who once seemed inseparable from the club’s identity. Vela’s role this season was emblematic of his struggle to maintain the consistency that made him a league MVP in 2019. 

The decision to part ways with Vela is as much about the club’s future as it is about his past. LAFC must now determine how to fill the void left by their first true superstar. While the memories of his audacious goals and dynamic play will endure, the question remains: How will LAFC write its next chapter without the player who defined its early success and why did he not receive a farewell worthy of his contributions?

5. Building Beyond 2024: A New Era Dawns

LAFC’s 2024 season wasn’t a failure—it was a crossroads. From the heartbreak of Chanot’s own goal to the triumph of the U.S. Open Cup, the year showcased both the strengths and vulnerabilities of a team still striving for greatness worthy of their high standards. The offseason brings an opportunity to redefine their identity, recalibrate their priorities, and reinforce their roster.

As they prepare for the road ahead, LAFC’s mission is clear: to sustain the ethos of ambition and excellence that has propelled them to prominence in MLS. While the rain washed away their title hopes this year, it also nourished the seeds of future success. What grows in 2025 will depend on how wisely they cultivate their aspirations—and how boldly they confront the challenges of renewal.