Carlos Vela Scores the MVP Award

It is said that to be cemented as one of the greatest an individual must achieve what others have not and Carlos Vela has certainly done that. Despite the devastating culmination to LAFC’s phenomenal season, Vela was able to unequivocally collect the Golden Boot and, most importantly, the 2019 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The Mexican superstar rolled up his sleeves this season and broke the all-time, single-season scoring record with 34 goals in 31 regular-season appearances (previously held by Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez in the 2018 season). Looking more in-depth into this incredible feat, Vela produced a 1.10 goals-per-game average, which is just ridiculous. He went on to tally 36 total goals for this season with a pair of goals in the Western Conference semi-final victory over the LA Galaxy. This accomplishment earned the LAFC forward the Golden Boot.

The Black and Gold had a record-breaking season, captained by Vela, with a sum of 72 points that won them the Supporters‘ Shield. Unfortunately, LAFC endured a disastrous loss to the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Final. Despite not attaining the fairty-tale ending he desired, Carlos Vela earned the 2019 Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. Vela was a clear winner over LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez; who also felt short in the running for the Golden Boot. Voting results positioned Vela on top with 69 percent of the weighted vote.

In this season alone, Carlos Vela proved the high caliber of player he is and the awards he received today simply solidified that. He may not have finished the season as a Champion, but he surely ended it in the history books as one of the greatest in MLS.