Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) leading scorer Carlos Vela has been named to the MLS Best XI for the 2018 season, the League announced today. The league’s top 11 players at each position were determined by the vote of fellow MLS players, MLS technical staffs, and members of the media
Vela, who is also a finalist for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award and the MLS Newcomer of the Year, is the first player in Club history to be selected to the MLS Best XI.
“Carlos had a phenomenal season with our Club and this award is a reflection of not just his world-class talent, but his dedication and hard work during the course of the year,” said EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager John Thorrington. “We are grateful to have a player like Carlos committed to LAFC and are pleased that he has been rightfully recognized as one of the top players in the league.”
The Mexican National Team star helped LAFC to the most successful regular season by an expansion club, setting the record for most points with 57. Vela led the Black & Gold with 14 goals and 13 assists, ranking as one of just 11 players across the league to reach double digits in both categories.
Vela appeared in 28 regular season contests (26 starts) for LAFC, registering 97 shots in 2,378 minutes. He also tallied an assist in the Club’s first-ever playoff match.
A key member of Mexico’s team at the 2018 World Cup, Vela became just the second active MLS player to score a goal in a World Cup when he scored this summer in Russia. Vela was also named the captain for the MLS All-Stars at the 2018 All-Star Game against Italian club Juventus. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week six times and was named Week 33’s Player of the Week.
2018 MLS Best XI
Goalkeeper: Zach Steffen (Columbus Crew SC)
Defenders: Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders: Luciano Acosta (D.C. United), Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC), Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact), Carlos Vela (Los Angeles Football Club)
Forwards: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy), Josef Martinez (Atlanta United FC), Wayne Rooney (D.C. United)
