LAFC 2024 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions

LAFC were on the cusp of another silverware-filled year in 2023 but came up short in their pursuit of glory, losing in three finals.

Despite the heartbreak in MLS Cup, Campeones Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup finals, there were still some elements of success in 2023 that provided hope for the 2024 campaign and beyond. The team remained solid at the back, conceding just 39 goals (tied for fourth-least in MLS) and finished in the top three of the Western Conference for a second season running.

MVP candidate Denis Bouanga enjoyed an excellent first full season in the league, scoring 20 goals to take home the Golden Boot over Newcomer of the Year Giorgos Giakoumakis and MVP winner Lucho Acosta. Even though Steve Cherundolo’s side lost a few names in free agency, the front office worked to bring in ample replacements so the 2022 MLS Cup winners will remain competitive in the coming season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Black and Gold ahead of their 2024 MLS season.

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Teams like Atlanta United, Columbus Crew, Inter Miami, LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders look to control games with the ball and suffocate teams by dominating possession with continuous passing.

However, LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo has found success with the Black and Gold doing the exact opposite: Controlling games without the ball, soaking up pressure and allowing the likes of Bouanga, Mateusz Bogusz and Cristian Olivera (and potentially Carlos Vela if he re-signs) to do damage with their pace on counter attacks.

LAFC averaged 49.5% possession during the 34-game regular season — the 14th highest mark in the league — but still managed to score 54 goals, the seventh-highest tally in MLS.

Cherundolo’s preferred setup is a standard 4-3-3, with Sanchez sitting just in front of the defense while Tim Tillman and Mateus Bogusz operate as box-to-box midfielders. Having elite finishers like Bouanga and Vela is what has really helped the Black and Gold succeed, and if Vela doesn’t re-sign, that leaves a lot pressure on the Gabon international to do most of the scoring — which he’s proven he can handle — with Olivera and new signings Tomas Angel and David Martinez chipping in here and there.

All signs point to the Black and Gold’s methods of playing counter-attacking football working again in 2024, especially if they can bring in a few players for depth in the midfield and up front.

LAFC predicted starting XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Hollingshead, Murillo, Long, Campos; Sanchez, Bogusz, Tillman; Olivera, Angel, Bouanga.

Denis Bouanga

Even at a star-studded club like LAFC, Denis Bouanga proved his worth in 2023 and showed why he deserved to be in the MVP conversation. He took home 20 league goals and ended up scoring 38 in the calendar year with the Black and Gold, which tied a club record Vela set back in 2019 when the former Real Sociedad player also took home MVP honors.

At 29 years old Bouanga is in the prime of his career with LAFC and hopes to compete for more titles in 2024. He was upset after MLS Cup as his side came away empty-handed in 2023 despite playing in three finals and even proposed the idea of returning to Europe in the winter transfer window (that recently closed) — which many thought was a ploy to get a new contract as his current deal expires in December 2025.

His electric pace and skillful dribbling combined with his lethal finishing in front of goal sees him as a not only a Golden Boot favorite for the upcoming season, but an MVP candidate as well.

The Black and Gold lost several free agents in the winter window like John McCarty, Maxime Crepeau, Kellyn Acosta and Diego Palacios, but their front office has worked tirelessly to get unwanted players out of the door to bring in fresh faces in time for the upcoming season.

LAFC’s third-place finish meant they’ll miss out on the revamped Concacaf Champions Cup, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While Cherundolo’s side would love to compete in the most prestigious club competition in North & Central America, not taking part allows his players to catch their breath this month and stay healthy. His players will more than likely be more available during the regular season, Leagues Cup and US Open Cup as they’re playing one less competition.

You can expect LAFC to finish inside the top four for a third-straight season while also making deep runs in all three competitions — if they aren’t crowned as winners — in 2024.

Will LAFC qualify for MLS Cup Playoffs? Yes

READ 90MIN’S SEASON PREVIEWS FOR MLS TEAMS AHEAD OF THE 2024 SEASON