Although the title may strike some as a crazy clickbait title, facts are facts. Carlos Vela is having the best single MLS season ever. There are many different MLS legends who have had sustained success in the league, but 2019 Vela has been an unstoppable force on multiple fronts, whether it be dribbling around defenders, creating scoring chances, or just outright scoring. Vela has done it all.
Team Success
As important as Vela’s individual statistics have been, the success of the team has gone hand-in-hand with his personal success. This hasn’t always been the case with successful players, in the regular season at least. In 2014, Bradley Wright-Phillips finished with 27 goals. At the time, that was tied for first place with Roy Lassiter and Chris Wondolowski for most goals in a single season.
Despite Wright-Phillips’ personal success, the Red Bulls finished fourth in the east with only 50 points. They did play well in the playoffs, but for the sake of the argument, the focus is on the regular season. Carlos Vela has been the catalyst for the Los Angeles Football Club this season in quite a few ways.
Goals
Looking at all-time single-season goal leaders, there have been quite a few incredible performances. Last year, Josef Martinez scored at an astonishing clip. Martinez finished with 31 goals and eventually was named MVP of the MLS. Vela sits tied for third-most goals all-time with Stern John and Mamadou Diallo, with 26. There are still eight games left in the season, but even if he doesn’t score another goal, there are other ways he can improve on his already spectacular season.
Assists
Outside of scoring, Vela has also created opportunities for his teammates. Vela has 15 assists this season, three short of fourth all-time in a single season (several people are tied for first, second and third). The most assists ever in a single season is Carlos Valderrama, who finished the 2000 season with 26 assists. Again though, individual player success does not always correlate to team success.
In 1999, Steve Ralston tallied 18 assists which put him tied for fourth all-time, but the New England Revolution did not make the MLS playoffs. Carlos Vela, on the other hand, has the Black and Gold in first place in the league with a 19-point gap between them and the nearest challenger.
It’s Already Set in Stone
In my opinion, it’s already done. This is already the best single-season by an MLS player ever. With eight games left, Vela’s combination of goals and assists is incredible. If Vela continues on the same track, averaging one goal and .57 assists per match, he will finish the season with 34 goals and 19 assists. 34 goals and 19 assists place him in first place for most goals all time and tied for third place with most assists in a single year.
In addition, if LAFC wins one game and ties the other seven games, they will tie the all time record for most points in a single season by an MLS team. Vela’s desire to play soccer has always been a question, dating back to his time in Europe. What’s unquestionable now? He is having the time of his life and his play on the field is reflecting exactly that.
The Championship is What Matters
Although Vela’s success is worthy of attention in its own right, LAFC has higher aspirations. Records, MVP’s, and a national spotlight are great, but the underlying goal is and always will be championships. LAFC will have time after the season to look back at the season Vela had, for now, fans have the unique opportunity to appreciate it. It’s been quite a ride already, but there is still plenty season left to play. Next up, the monkey on LAFC’s back, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
