Here is our LAFC schedule 2024 review ahead of a much-anticipated new campaign for the Black & Gold. Last season was promising but ultimately painful, as LAFC finished as runners-up in the MLS Cup to Columbus Crew, and in the CONCACAF Champions League to Club Leon.
Still, they also managed to finish third in the MLS Western Conference, only behind St. Louis City and Seattle Sounders, and eighth in the overall MLS standings. With experienced FIFA World Cup winner Hugo Lloris, who left Premier League Tottenham Hotspur, added to their ranks, alongside potential room for other marquee signings, LAFC will be hoping to push further this season, and add some silverware to their cabinet.
LAFC schedule 2024 review
Opening game
LAFC open their MLS campaign with a home game for a fifth consecutive season, hosting one of their biggest rivals Seattle Sounders on 24th February. The fixture is a repeat of two of the most important games in LAFC's history: the 2023 Western Conference semi-final, which LAFC won in Seattle 1-0, and their first-ever regular season match in March 2018, which was also won by the same scoreline.
LAFC also have a 100% record in season openers, winning each of their last six, and are currently tied with FC Dallas (2012-17) for the longest season-opener winning streak in league history. They will be looking to maintain their remarkable record and become outright frontrunners when Seattle come to visit.
Key fixtures
Aside from LAFC's opener against Seattle, their key fixtures are undoubtedly the ones against major city rivals LA Galaxy, known as the El Trafico derby. Their first meeting with fellow 2023 MLS Cup finalists Columbus Crew comes on 13th July, while they face MLS Western Conference reigning champions St. Louis City on 15th May.
LAFC finish their campaign at home to San Jose Earthquakes on 19th October with potentially lots at stake, against a team they have beaten nine times in 16 meetings, drawing once and losing six.
When is the next El Trafico?
The first El Trafico derby is on 6th April, when LAFC host LA Galaxy. Then, the fixture is reversed on 4th July, a special day for Americans as it is also Independence Day. LA Galaxy also host LAFC in another fixture on 14th September.
Of the 21 previous H2Hs, it is LA Galaxy that have mostly come out on top with nine wins to seven, while there have also been five draws.
LAFC betting odds 2024
LAFC to win the MLS Cup – 8/1
LAFC are currently second-favourites with betting markets to win the MLS Cup, behind Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
LAFC to win the Western Conference – 3/1
LAFC are currently favourites with betting markets to win the Western Conference.
Top scorer
LAFC's top scorer is likely to be Denis Bouanga, who was their top scorer last season with 20 MLS goals, and also finished as the league's highest scorer. His next challenger was Carlos Vela with nine, although he left the club at the end of the campaign.
However, there are reports that LAFC are in talks to try and re-sign the free agent, and if they do, he could be one to challenge Bouanga should he get consistent minutes.
