Los Angeles FC

Los Angeles FC arrived in MLS in 2018 and immediately established itself as a model expansion franchise, blending star power, a fiercely loyal supporters' section, and one of the league's most modern stadiums in BMO Stadium. The black-and-gold club has drawn some of the sport's biggest names, including Carlos Vela and Gareth Bale, while cultivating deep ties to the local Los Angeles community. LAFC's rapid rise from newcomer to champion has made it one of the most talked-about success stories in modern MLS. The club's energy, ambition, and star wattage give it a genuine claim to being the league's model franchise.

Los Angeles FC was established in 2014 and began MLS play in 2018. The club broke through in 2019 with a Supporters' Shield-winning regular season, then completed a historic league double in 2022, winning both the Supporters' Shield and its first MLS Cup — a dramatic penalty-shootout win over the Philadelphia Union after Gareth Bale's stoppage-time equalizer forced extra time. LAFC's rapid ascent from expansion side to champion in just its fifth season stands as one of the fastest title runs in MLS history. The club continues to be one of the league's most consistently competitive teams.