Questions for the defending MLS champs

SEASON OPENER

One MLS franchise, Seattle in 2022, has captured the CONCACAF Champions League.

The simplest road to lifting a trophy is the Campeones Cup, a one-off in Los Angeles later this year against Liga MX champion Pachuca.

The most challenging will be the Supporters’ Shield, considering the realities of an unbalanced schedule and a demanding week-to-week schedule over multiple competitions.

Collecting one trophy might seem disappointing, though it shouldn’t be. Two would be impressive. Any more and 2023 will go down as an astounding success.

DOES LAFC GET AWAY WITH LOSING ‘CHICHO’ ARANGO? » Goals will come. They always have. Through five seasons, LAFC has easily outscored any other team in MLS.

Arango, the prime-form and entertaining Colombian, led the way the past 18 months, totaling 30 goals in league competition. Chicho’s transfer to Pachuca was a move LAFC had to make even though no one with the club wanted him to go, and it will undoubtedly be a lot to account for.

French forward Denis Bouanga will be the first option to terrorize MLS defenders in ‘23. He was a force in the preseason and is physically fit enough to play every four days.

Youngsters Mahala Opoku and Stipe Biuk should produce inside a system that has always created quality chances. Opoku, a 21-year-old forward, has shown a knack for making the most of his time on the field. The early reviews on Biuk, a 20-yearold newcomer, have been glowing from the wing.

And, of course, whenever Vela suits up, LAFC won’t be shy around their opponents’ goal.

MUST VELA APPROACH HIS 2019 NUMBERS? » LAFC’s soon-to-be 34-year-old captain set absurd records and earned the league’s Most Valuable Player honor four seasons ago by running roughshod over MLS. He still has plenty of help in the attack, but how much falls to him to ensure LAFC maintains its prolific goal totals will tell an important tale.

Vela is on the record saying he needs to score more this year after adopting the role of facilitator last season. Getting his numbers while helping an assortment of players find their way on the scoresheet will again be the mission for the left-footed Mexican, but with more emphasis on finishing.

He flirted with becoming the first 20-goal, 20-assist player in MLS history in 2019. Repeating those lofty stats seems like unreasonable, but that doesn’t mean Vela won’t try so long as he can stay on the field.