09 December 2023 , 17:49
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LAFC part-owner and actor Will Ferrell partied with fans ahead of a potentially record-breaking night, as the MLS expansion franchise aims to defend its MLS Cup against Columbus Crew.
The 56-year-old, who played Buddy in the hit Christmas film Elf, was seen leading chants with adoring LAFC fans ahead of Saturday's final at Lower.com Field. Defending champions LAFC won the title last season at their home ground but will now play at the home of Columbus Crew having finished with fewer regular season points than their Eastern Conference rivals.
A win on enemy territory would see LAFC make history, becoming the first MLS expansion franchise to win back-to-back MLS Cups. LAFC was established in 2014 and despite its youth, the franchise has enjoyed considerable success, especially in recent seasons.
LAFC's first taste of silverware came in the 2019 season, where they finished top of the Western Conference in the regular season, while also winning the Supporters' Shield. They then had to wait two years to see their team lift more trophies, as the team won the MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield, and the Western Conference playoffs all after finishing top of the Western Conference in the regular season in 2022.
In 2023, they won back-to-back Western Conference playoff games, defeating Houston Dynamo 2-0 in the final. Ryan Hollingshead opened the scoring before half-time and the final blow was dealt with ten minutes to go, as Franco Escobar stuck the ball in the back of his own net.
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Saturday's final could also spell the end for two LAFC greats, Carlos Vela and longtime Italy international Giorgio Chiellini. Both players' contracts will expire after the game against Columbus.
"Everybody knows how happy I am in L.A., how happy I am in this team," Vela said. "But it's a job, it's a business. We know sometimes it [doesn't work out] the way you want. We are two different sides and we have to be on the same page. But I'm not thinking about that, I'm thinking just about the final and the big chance we have to win the trophy.
"After that, we will have time to talk and see if something works. If it doesn't, everybody will be on their way and we'll have good memories and good history together."
Ex-Arsenal winger Vela, 34, was one of LAFC's marquee signings in their rise to the top of MLS. The Mexican joined in 2019 from Real Sociedad and has scored 93 goals while also providing 54 assists in 187 games for LAFC. He is the Club's all-time top scorer, 34 goals above second-place Diego Rossi, who is on Crew's books.