By Braden Chalker
LAFC's brilliant star to life in Major League Soccer has been made possible by the contributions of several club legends.
Not many clubs can hit the ground running like LAFC did back in 2019 -- their second season in the league -- when they recorded 72 points during the 34-game regular season. Although New England Revolution would go on to break that record with 73 points in 2021, it was still an impressive feat by a team in its infancy in MLS.
Since the Black and Gold's inaugural 2018 campaign, the Western Conference club have gone on to lift one MLS Cup in 2022 and two Supporters' Shield titles in 2022 and 2019. However, those pieces of silverware wouldn't have been lifted without help from iconic players.
Here are the top seven players in LAFC's history.
7 best LAFC players of all-time
7. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale's time in Los Angeles was short, but he definitely had a major impact on the history of the club.
Yes, he may have scored just three goals in 13 appearances for LAFC, but one of those goals just happened to be in the 128th minute of extra time in stoppage time to send 2022 MLS Cup to penalty kicks -- which the Black and Gold would go on to win.
6. Giorgio Chiellini
Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini's time at BMO Stadium was also short like Bale's but he formed a terrific partnership at the back alongside Jesus Murillo during the 2023 season.
Although Chiellini is now retired from soccer, he'll always be able to recall his temporary stay in Los Angeles that was rather successful as he lifted 2022 MLS Cup.
5. Jesus Murillo
Where would LAFC be without the experienced Jesus Murillo?
The 30-year-old center-back has more than played his part in the club's recent success, suiting up 124 times for the Black and Gold that includes a goal in 2022 MLS Cup. Even though LAFC failed to go back-to-back in 2023, Murillo was part of the defense that got the Black and Gold back in the final.
4. Diego Rossi
Before Diego Rossi led Columbus Crew to MLS Cup glory in December of last year, the Uruguayan was banging in the goals for LAFC a few years prior.
The versatile attacker quickly become of the most feared forwards in all of MLS after bagging 17 goals in the club's first-ever campaign in 2018. Rossi went on to manage 59 goals -- the second-most in team history -- to help LAFC lift the 2019 Supporters' Shield before departing for Turkish side Fenerbahce in September 2021.
3. Denis Bouanga
Ever since Denis Bouanga stepped foot in MLS, all he's done is score goals on top of goals.
In turn, he's cemented himself as one of the team's greatest-ever players after his breathtaking 2023 season. Although he got off to a rather slow start in 2022 after joining near the end of the season, his 51 goals in 76 appearances speak for themselves as the Gabon international picked up last season's Golden Boot award.
2. Ilie Sanchez
Ilie Sanchez might not have the high-profile name of a Denis Bouanga, Gareth Bale or Giorgio Chiellini.
But he's still been one of the team's best-ever players since his arrival in January 2022 from Sporting Kansas City. Sanchez has been vital to the team's success, keeping things intact in the middle of the park while also scoring the winning penalty kick in 2022 MLS Cup.
1. Carlos Vela
There was simply no way Carlos Vela wasn't going to take home the number one spot on this list.
The former Mexico national team may still be a free agent at the moment, but that doesn't take away from his contributions to help put LAFC on the map. Vela's 93 goals, 54 assists and 188 appearances are all the most in team history as he led the way in lifting all three of the trophies they've won thus far.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as 7 best LAFC players of all time - ranked.
