CARLOS VELA

Major League Soccer is embarking on its 28th season with a new team in St. Louis City and a new media deal with Apple TV.

Gareth Bale came through in the clutch for LAFC and propelled the team to a win in penalties over the Philadelphia Union for their first MLS Cup.

Carlos Vela scored in the third minute and Raúl Ruidíaz’s converted a penalty kick in the 73rd minute in the Major League Soccer All-Star team’s 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Liga MX on Wednesday night.

Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela scored in the first half, and Los Angeles FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Friday night in the home debuts of European superstars Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale.

Gareth Bale wants the world to know Los Angeles FC is not the 18th hole of his soccer career.

Although Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale weren't quite ready to play in Los Angeles FC's rivalry derby, both stars got an up-close look at the passion and potential in their new club. José Cifuentes scored two goals and Cristian Arango got the eventual winner late in the second half, leading LAFC past the LA Galaxy 3-2 on Friday night in another exciting edition of the clubs' El Tráfico crosstown rivalry. LAFC improved its record atop the Major League Soccer standings to 12-4-3 as it waits for the imminent debuts of its two superstar European signings.

Los Angeles FC has reached a deal with Welsh forward Gareth Bale to move to Major League Soccer after his departure from Real Madrid, a person close to the deal told The Associated Press.

The move is the latest push from Apple to anchor its streaming service with live sports.

Major League Soccer and Liga MX both realize they’re more powerful as partners than rivals.

LOS ANGELES Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela is likely to be sidelined for at least a few weeks by a left knee injury. Bradley gave no timetable for Vela's return, but such injuries typically require a minimum of three weeks of rest and rehabilitation. Vela came up limping on a noncontact play during the second half of LAFC's 2-0 loss to the LA Galaxy on Saturday. The 31-year-old Vela had the most prolific season in MLS history last year with LAFC, setting the league record with 34 goals. Vela then scored in each of LAFC's first two matches this season before the pause because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi (9) scores on a penalty kick against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Kissimmee, Fla., Monday, July 27, 2020. Even without reigning league MVP Carlos Vela, LAFC pressured and flustered the Sounders early and never let up. LAFC outshot Seattle 25-11. At times, the Sounders couldnt play the ball out of their own defensive end due to the pressure of LAFC. Rossi drew Xavier Arreagas foul in the penalty area and beat Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the 14th minute for the early advantage.

Major League Soccer MVP Carlos Vela will not accompany Los Angeles FC to the league's return tournament in Orlando this month. Vela announced his decision Monday, July 6, 2020, citing his concern for the health of his family, including his pregnant wife. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)Major League Soccer is about to resume its season in a state that has seen a huge spike in coronavirus infections, with one team absent because of a COVID-19 outbreak, and with plenty of worry about what will happen next. FC Dallas withdrew from the tournament on Monday after 10 players and a coach tested positive for the virus. We are proud of Major League Soccer, and we want to show our game to the world, Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said.