FBL-MEX-TRAINING — Mexico's national team forward Carlos Vela leaves the field after a training session at the High Performance Center in the outskirts of Mexico City on October 6, 2015. Mexico will face the US next October 10 in a Confederations Cup football match. AFP PHOTO/ Yuri CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Most goals, second-most assists, most shots: Carlos Vela leads MLS with impressive form

Aug 18, 2019

Carlos Vela is dominating MLS football this season, leading the league in a number of stats as his team LAFC also top the division.

Arsenal's Mexican striker Carlos Vela (L) celebrates scoring the second goal with teammate Sanchez Watt (R) during their Carling Cup 3rd round match against West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates, London, on September 22, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK — Arsenal’s Mexican striker Carlos Vela (L) celebrates scoring the second goal with teammate Sanchez Watt (R) during their Carling Cup 3rd round match against West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates, London, on September 22, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK

In August 2017, Vela signed for the newly-formed Los Angeles FC, becoming their first designated player. He was named in the MLS Best XI of 2018 in a positive first year for the team, but his second campaign has been nothing short of dominant.

Vela currently leads the league for goals (24), shots (123) and shots on goal (54), as well as being just one assist behind the league’s top assister Maximiliano Moralez, who has 16.

According to the MLS’ Player Index Ratings, Vela is the top-performing player this season by some distance.

Audi Player Index Ratings (via MLSSoccer.com)

Even if it is in the MLS, where the standard of football clearly isn’t as high as in Europe, it’s great to see the former Gunner thriving.

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LAFC currently have 13 points more than any other team in the MLS, with nine games left to play in the regular season.

Due to America’s obsession with playoffs, finishing top won’t actually win them the MLS Cup, as they’ll have to play a knockout bracket first. You do receive the Supporters’ Shield for having the best regular-season record though, so that’s something at least.

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