In LAFC’s 2-0 win over FC Dallas, the version of Carlos Vela everyone has come to expect began to reappear, the 2019 one that broke the MLS record with 34 goals and won the Most Valuable Player award.
The Mexican forward scored his first goal of 2021 and also assisted for the other in the Los Angeles team’s triumph.
“(I am) happy to win the home game against our fans. Many feelings from the past returned, I also felt much better from the injury and as I said last week, I began to feel that I am back and this is the Carlos that the team expects and I want to do the things I have to do, “Vela said after the match.
Sailing’s last regular-season touchdown even before scoring against Dallas was on November 8, 2020.
“I’m already in an eight shooting to nine and it is starting to show,” said the Mexican about his performance. “Because of the need to want to return quickly, I was not at 100, I was not sufficiently recovered to show my level and I had not been able to do it.
“Against Houston I had good feelings and (against Dallas) I reaffirm it: I feel better and hopefully now it will be all up and contribute what the team expects from me,” he added.
LAFC manager Bob Bradley decided to dose Vela’s minutes into this three-game week as he recovers from a quadriceps injury suffered in the first game of the season. Last Saturday, against the Houston Dynamo, Vela played 64 minutes and 76 against Dallas. On Saturday, the Los Angeles team will visit Sporting Kansas City.
“It’s the most dynamic (Vela) has been in for a long time. He took the ball, he tried to evade opponents, he was a threat and those things separate him from the rest when he is at his best, “said Bradley.
LAFC hopes to get back to its best level and find a positive streak that will see them climb up the standings. It currently ranks eighth with 12 units
“We can still improve. We won, but we need to gain pace, win three or four (games) in a row and until then, we can say that we are back to our level. We have a lot to improve. This victory gives us confidence to play better on Saturday and I hope to get another three points ”, concluded Vela.