LAFC vs Colorado Rapids Highlights
The MLS is back with the 2022 season and the LAFC vs Colorado Rapids matchup was all about the former Golden Boot winner Carlos Vela, who scored a hat trick to give the LAFC a 3-0 victory. With a new updated LAFC roster and new head coach Steve Cherundolo, this was an exciting fresh start for the Black & Gold.
The perfect Saturday sunny afternoon shined upon Banc of California Stadium, with Vela scoring in the 29th minute of the match, juking out Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Williams Yarbrough on a penalty kick. Just six minutes later, the Mexican forward secured his brace following a perfect long-ball pass from José Cifuentes where he shook off Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar for the finish.
El Capitan wasn’t done yet, as his cleanest goal of the day occurred in the second half of the LAFC vs Colorado Rapids match. With a finessed left-footed strike from just inside the box to the far left post past Yarbrough, Vela was granted his hat-trick at the 50’. This was vintage Vela in action, and we hope it stays with us as he has been limited to only 9 goals the past two seasons. In comparison Vela had 34 back in the MLS 2019 season.
We couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off the 2022 MLS season as LAFC had a clean sheet with three goals and points, writing up a statement win for the league against a team that defeated them 5-2 toward the end of last season. Also, what a performance by Carlos Vela—let’s keep him in the conversation of best forward in the MLS.
For their second game of the young 2022 season, LAFC will play against the Portland Timbers on Sunday, March 6 at 7:00PM PT.
