LAFC earns return trip to MLS Cup with 2-0 win over Houston Dynamo

Two seasons in charge of LAFC for Steve Cherundolo; two Western Conference titles.

Black and Gold confetti rained from the sky at BMO Stadium once again on Saturday night as LAFC captain Carlos Vela hoisted a trophy high in the air for the fifth time in the club's six-year history. Of course, the Western Conference Championship trophy isn’t the ultimate prize but it is a prerequisite. For the second consecutive season, LAFC has earned the right to compete for that ultimate prize in MLS Cup - this time with a chance to defend their title and become the first back-to-back MLS Champions since rivals LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012.

“We’ve got a day off tomorrow. We’ll enjoy it with our families. We’ll enjoy it with the guys.” prefaced Ryan Hollingshead, “and then on Monday we get back to work and it’s all eyes focused on winning a cup and that’s what we’re going to do.”

LAFC celebrates its second consecutive Western Conference championship (LAFC)

That same confident intention felt palpable throughout the LAFC performance on Saturday night with Carlos Vela setting the early tone by smacking a shot off the crossbar just two minutes into the match. He wouldn’t stop there, putting the ball in the back of the net two minutes later but being ruled narrowly offside. It was a tight call, to say the least. Vela wouldn’t end up scoring on the night but in potentially his final game at BMO Stadium, he once again spurred his team to victory without needing to be the best player on the pitch - though he was close to it.