How table-toppers LAFC are redesigning the modern MLS blueprint – scout report

Often wrongly labelled as a league equivalent to world football’s retirement home, the MLS has been through a massive glow-up in recent years.

Previously, clubs in America’s top-flight division focused largely on branding their franchise, bringing massive names from Europe such as the former Liverpool great Steven Gerrard and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry towards the end of their careers.

However, now, there is a much greater emphasis on signing young talents from parts of South America, Mexico and Africa than ever before while also maintaining the attraction for big European players.

The club that epitomises this the most are LAFC. Coached by the ex-Hannover captain Steve Cherundolo, the Los Angeles-based club have managed to perfectly blend youth with experience, stirring the concoction around with mega European quality.

Cherundolo has already guided LAFC to the top of the Western Conference as well as to the summit of the overall MLS table, and in the summer window, the Black and Gold have already added Gareth Bale and Juventus luminary Giorgio Chiellini to the squad.

This tactical analysis article will be a scout report of LAFC under the former USA international. The piece will be an analysis of the tactics employed by Cherundolo, looking at why LAFC have been the best side in the MLS in 2022.

A passing of the torch

At the end of last season, after missing out on a playoff spot by finishing ninth in the Western Conference, LAFC parted ways with the reliable Bob Bradley who had been in charge since 2017.

The former Swansea City boss was very rigid with his formation choices during his tenure in LA. The 4-3-3 was always Bradley’s go-to structure. In 2019, LAFC used this conventional shape in 88 percent of their games. This increased slightly to 91 percent in 2020. However, it was clear that things turned sour in 2021 when Bradley began sifting through formations, with the 4-3-3’s usage dropping drastically to 33 percent:

After parting ways with Bradley, the newish club took a massive risk by appointing Cherundolo. The American legend had a plethora of coaching experience, working as the assistant manager of VfB Stuttgart under the guidance of Tayfun Korkut as well as on Dave Sarachan’s coaching staff with the US national team.

However, the 43-year-old had no experience of managing in the professional game apart from one year with the Las Vegas Lights in 2021 where he left with a harrowing 18.8 percent win record.