Carlos Vela scores twice in LAFC preseason win over Vissel Kobe

Carlos Vela played only 45 minutes but scored twice as Los Angeles Football Club beat J1 League side Vissel Kobe 4-1 in a preseason match played at the Banc of California Stadium. This was only LAFC’s second preseason match of the year and their first in their home stadium after defeating Toronto FC 3-1 during a closed-door scrimmage.

LAFC was taking on a star-studded Vissel Kobe team that arrived with the likes of Lukas Podolski, Andres Iniesta and David Villa all in their roster.

For LAFC’s own star, Carlos Vela, it has been a tumultuous offseason, with speculation that the former Mexico National Team forward could have joined Barcelona on loan.

It didn’t take long for Vela to open his 2019 account with the Los Angeles side when in the 32nd minute he cut inside from the right wing and sent a curling shot into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, Vela grabbed his second. This time, Vela performed a superb dribble past his defender before slipping a left-footed strike behind the goalkeeper for the 2-0.

LAFC kicks off a new MLS Season on March 3 in a home game against Sporting Kansas City.