Every single thing Carlos Vela does or says this MLS season will be picked apart. (As if that wasn’t already the case.) LAFC’s star and first-ever signing is at a crossroads as his contract is set to expire in June. He’s publicly said he has a desire to return to Europe, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s ready to end his run in Los Angeles.
One thing is for sure: Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.
Vela kicked off the 2022 Major League Soccer season with a hat trick in 50 minutes as part of 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. It was the perfect start for new head coach Steve Cherundolo and LAFC 2.0 at Banc of California Stadium. “M-V-P” chants filled the air and it rekindled feelings from Vela and LAFC’s record-setting 2019 campaign.
But for every good moment he has throughout these next few months, the value only rises more. The dilemma for LAFC is they don’t know what Vela they will get, if he’s able to remain healthy and be at the top of his game. General manager John Thorrington said there are active contract conversations and they’re “picking up speed.” Vela’s hat trick is going to fast track those even more.
Vela isn’t much of a talker when it comes to media, but he’s clearly putting the pressure on LAFC and letting actions drive his intentions. It’s a complex situation to be in with a player of that caliber, considering the tumultuous past two seasons for him and the club.
New teammates Maxime Crepeau and Ilie Sanchez raved about playing with him instead of against, how he can take over games in an instance and his qualities as a leader. Those are positive signs for the Black and Gold right now, but what happens when that first bit of adversity hits? How do things change for Vela and this contract situation? LAFC can’t run the risk of waiting too long to make its decision, because he’s either going to keep scoring and boosting his stock, or things can get messy at the other end of the spectrum. As invested as he may…