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Carlos Vela wins second MLS Player of Month Award

By Jahir M. Martinez

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 17: Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) jumps for the ball during their match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on April 17, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver won the match 1-0. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 17: Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) jumps for the ball during their match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on April 17, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver won the match 1-0. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After a dominant April, Carlos Vela was voted MLS Player of the Month for the second straight time to open the 2019 season.

Since joining the MLS last year, LAFC captain Carlos Vela has been singularly outstanding, demonstrating that he is one of the top players in the league. At 30, Vela continues to show that his skills have not diminished and after this 11-game stretch of brilliance they do not appear likely to decline any time soon.

Vela’s performances in April helped Los Angeles FC climb to the top of the Western Conference standings. The upstart club also boasts the best overall best record with 24 points from 11 games, trailed closely however by their cross town rivals, the LA Galaxy (22 points from 11 games).

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Vela was the difference maker in his team’s three April wins (LAFC was 3-1-1 on the month), scoring one goal in the 4-0 win against DC United, another goal in the 2-0 victory over FC Cincinnati, and getting a brace in a 4-1 win over Seattle Sounders.  He also scored a goal in the club’s draw against the Sounders.

The Mexican forward tallied 5 goals and 2 assists in 5 games, pushing his two-month haul to 11 goals in 11 games. Vela leads the league in goals, just ahead of LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 9 goals.

A month away from the Gold Cup, the question will have to be asked anew. Will Vela be selected for the El Tri roster? New Team Mexico coach Gerardo Martino had suggested earlier this year that Vela would not be invited to camp, but after the left-footer’s great start to the MLS season, he appeared to waver a bit.

Certainly Vela would be a great asset, especially as star forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is a doubt after picking up a knee injury two weeks ago. With Jose Manuel Corona also fighting injuries, Mexico might need a playmaker to help the team in the continental tournament.

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