LAFC forward Carlos Vela waves to fans as he walks alongside his wife, Saiwa Kanebano, after the team's win over the Houston Dynamo on Dec. 2 at BMO Stadium. Whether Vela, a free agent, will return to Los Angeles FC this season remains unclear. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES – All is quiet on the Western Conference front.
Since the conclusion of the longest season in Major League Soccer history in Columbus on Dec. 9, Los Angeles FC, with the exception of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, has quietly maneuvered itself into preparing for a season that begins in 31 days.
LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington addressed reporters for the first time ahead of the club's seventh season, saying Thursday that although fans have been frustrated by the relative silence, big additions are on the way, Dennis Bwanga is here to stay, and some players had to go somewhere. Another to play, and regarding Carlos Vela, he is optimistic but it is too early to say that.
“I understand their frustration,” Thorrington said of fans fumbling with their fingers for news. “I share their frustration. I wish it could happen too. But there are reasons for that. Not because we're not working. Not because we don't want them now. But I think the verdict shouldn't come today. It should come at the end of February when they see the exciting team they'll have.” On the field to cheer (against) Seattle.
Before Thorrington spoke at the LAFC Performance Center on the Cal State L.A. campus, the club revealed its preseason roster, which no longer includes talented 21-year-old striker Stipe Buick, who hours earlier was officially transferred to Real Valladolid from the Spanish second division. . .
The loan, another departure from a 2023 squad that was built for depth and versatility ahead of a record 53-game schedule, leaves Los Angeles with just 16 senior players on the roster.
Last week, Spanish striker Mario Gonzalez was loaned to Sporting Gijon, who also play in Spain's second division.
Midfielder Filip Krastev will reportedly not return after arriving last summer on a 12-month loan.
The first to leave was Giorgio Chiellini, as he retired three days after the MLS Cup. (In January, he was appointed as player development coach and will continue to have an important presence at the club.)
Goalkeeper John McCarthy, the 2022 MLS Cup Player of the Year, has headed to the Galaxy as a free agent.
Center back Denil Maldonado has signed for Romanian club Universitatea Craiova.
Los Angeles FC realized they couldn't offer beloved goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau what he wanted and deserved as a free agent, leading to a major upset with Lloris, who is expected to arrive in Los Angeles from the UK this weekend. Canadian Crepo in Portland.
Starting full back Diego Palacios has moved to Brazilian team Corinthians.
Thorrington confirmed on Thursday that midfielder Kellen Acosta would not return after two productive years with the club.
The departures sum up the core group that LAFC believes it is ready to live up to.
“If we were playing tomorrow, the 11 players that would take the field would be a really good group,” Thorrington said. “I think now we need to complement that and bring in players who add to the quality we have, which is not easy because of the players we already have. But we have some options that will soon be finalized and announced which we are really excited about.
LAFC have identified left-back as a key hole to fill and have been linked with Mexican youngster Omar Campos from Santos Laguna. Thorrington expects to add two additional pieces in the midfield, joining Eli Sanchez, Timothy Tillman and youngster Eric Duenas.
He promised to announce young and experienced strikers, adding to the quality surrounding the dominant Wanga, rookie Cristian Oliveira, the hungry Mateus Bogusz and academy striker Nathan Ordaz.
In the middle of the defence, LAFC likes the quartet of Aaron Long, Jesus Murillo and Eddie Segura, back from injury, and 19-year-old Italian Lorenzo Delavalle from LAFC2, whose acquisition Thorrington described last summer as an “amazing feat” of a coup. “
As quiet as it looked from the outside, “this wasn't even close, but it's by far the busiest holiday season ever, including the scouts and everyone,” Thorington said. “It's been absolutely non-stop, and I think the work is paying off.” “His fruits.”
