The 2025 MLS season is underway, and for LAFC, that means balancing league play with the demands of multiple tournaments. Now in their eighth season, the Black & Gold remain a perennial powerhouse with championship aspirations and this season is no exception. But those expectations extend beyond coaching and on-field performance. The expectations also involve managing a constantly revolving roster, player development, and maintaining consistency in a highly competitive league.
Each MLS season also brings its own roster challenges. The league’s salary cap structure makes long-term squad continuity difficult, and standout players like Mateusz Bogusz continue to attract European interest, leading to inevitable departures. Despite this turnover, LAFC remains a contender, consistently adapting under head coach Steve Cherundolo’s leadership.
On the field, LAFC continued their tradition of starting strong, securing their eighth consecutive season-opening win with a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC at BMO Stadium last Saturday afternoon. The club dominated possession with 64% and outshot Minnesota 6-1 in terms of shots on goal. The breakthrough came in the 78th minute, when newly acquired striker Jeremy Ebobisse, formerly of the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes, curled a left-footed shot into the top corner of the goal to seal the win.
Head coach Steve Cherundolo made key lineup changes, introducing Ebobisse and David Martínez into the attack while rotating Marlon into the backline in place of Eddie Segura. Substitutes Nathan Ordaz, Olivier Giroud, and Segura all made an impact off the bench, with Ordaz providing the assist for the game-winner. “Every player on our roster is going to see meaningful minutes this year,” Cherundolo emphasized postgame. “That’s just the way it is here. We have a lot of games and a lot of good players.”
Before their MLS opener, LAFC stumbled in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against the Colorado Rapids, losing 2-1 in frigid conditions in Denver. This put them in a must-win situation at home in the second leg to avoid early elimination. The response? A 1-0 victory at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night, with Mark Delgado netting the decisive goal in the 49th minute. Despite losing the possession battle, LAFC didn’t allow a single shot on goal. The win tied the series 2-2 on aggregate, but LAFC advanced on the away-goals tiebreaker. They now move on to face reigning Leagues Cup champions and CONCACAF Champions Cup runners-up Columbus Crew in the Round of 16.
LAFC will now shift their focus back to MLS action. Next up: a home match against New York City FC on Saturday, March 1, at BMO Stadium (7:30 PM PT). With a perfect start to league play and momentum in international competition, LAFC looks primed for another exciting campaign this year.