Following a historic and ambitious early season in which LAFC played more games (33) than any MLS club in history has played by mid-July, the Black & Gold enjoy a welcome break this week.
Two LAFC players, forward Denis Bouanga and defender Ryan Hollingshead, will spend their time off in Washington, DC, representing LAFC as MLS All-Stars. Bouanga, Hollingshead, and their All-Star teammates will take on English Premier League giants Arsenal in the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on Wednesday, July 19 at 5:30 pm PT. That game can be seen live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
On Tuesday, July 18 (the day before the All-Star game), Bouanga will participate in the 2023 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G. That competition will air live at 4:30 pm PT on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and will provide a chance for Black & Gold supporters to watch their midseason MVP candidate show off the talents that have made him LAFC’s top goal scorer so far this season. (Bouanga’s 12 MLS goals rank second in MLS.)
LAFC, which drew 1-1 on the road against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, stands at 10-6-7 (W-L-T) (37 points) in MLS play— good for second place in the Western Conference standings. That position is especially well-earned given that the team had nearly played the equivalent of an entire 34-game MLS season by this point in the calendar. The 33 games LAFC has played so far in 2023 include its MLS schedule, US Open Cup, and the CONCACAF Champions League (in which LAFC finished second).
As reigning MLS Cup Champions, LAFC has earned a longer break than every other MLS team will enjoy prior to Leagues Cup, the expansive new tournament that includes all 29 MLS clubs and 18 Liga MX clubs (Mexico’s top division) in a World Cup style format. Leagues Cup matches begin on Friday, July 21 for every team except LAFC, who by virtue of its MLS Cup title will play its first Leagues Cup game the week of July 31.
All Leagues Cup matches can be seen live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, including the final, on Saturday, August 19. LAFC will begin its quest to play in that match following its current respite, as the club continues forward during a season of unprecedented ambition.
