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{{Short description|none}}
'''Soccer''' has enjoyed longstanding popularity in [[Los Angeles]]. As of 2019 there are two professional soccer clubs in [[Los Angeles County]] that play in [[Major League Soccer]]: [[LA Galaxy]] and [[Los Angeles FC]]. The Los Angeles area is also home to two Division 2 professional teams in the [[United Soccer League]]: [[Orange County SC]] and [[LA Galaxy II]], the reserve side of LA Galaxy, and many semi-professional clubs and leagues including the [[United Premier Soccer League]], [[SoCal Premier League]] and [[National Premier Soccer League]], among others. In 2019, two more professional teams, [[Cal FC]] (Thousand Oaks) and [[California United Strikers FC]] (Orange County) will join a new, unsanctioned, professional league called the [[NPSL Founders Cup]].
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2023}}
'''Soccer''' has enjoyed longstanding popularity in [[Los Angeles]]. As of 2023, [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]] has three top-level professional teams. The [[LA Galaxy]] and [[Los Angeles FC]] play in [[Major League Soccer]], and [[Angel City FC]] plays in the [[National Women's Soccer League]]. The Greater Los Angeles area is also home to one 2nd division professional team, [[Orange County SC]], of the [[USL Championship]], and four 3rd division professional teams, [[MLS Next Pro|LAFC2]] and [[LA Galaxy II]], of [[MLS Next Pro]], and [[Los Angeles Force]] and [[California United Strikers FC]] of the [[National Independent Soccer Association]]. There are also many semi-professional clubs and leagues including the [[United Premier Soccer League]], SoCal Premier League and [[National Premier Soccer League]], among others. In 2019, two more professional teams, [[Cal FC]] (Thousand Oaks) and [[California United Strikers FC]] (Orange County) joined a new, unsanctioned, professional league called the [[NPSL Founders Cup]] They both later left, with Cal FC joining the [[United Premier Soccer League]].


==History==
==History==
Soccer in Los Angeles began in the 19th century when the Southern California Football League was founded in 1902.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/losangeles.html|title=History of Soccer in Greater Los Angeles|publisher= American Soccer History Archives|date=August 12, 2011}}</ref>
Soccer in Los Angeles began in the 20th century when the Southern California Football League was founded in 1902.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/losangeles.html|title=History of Soccer in Greater Los Angeles|publisher= American Soccer History Archives|date=August 12, 2011}}</ref>


===Historic clubs===
===Historic clubs===

==== [[Los Angeles Wolves]] ====
{{main|Los Angeles Wolves}}

The first and only champions of the [[United Soccer Association]] (1967), predecessor to the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)]].


====[[Los Angeles Kickers]]====
====[[Los Angeles Kickers]]====
{{main|Los Angeles Kickers}}
{{main|Los Angeles Kickers}}

The LA Kickers were the first LA area team to win the National Challenge Cup, known today as the U.S. Open Cup.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
The LA Kickers were the first LA area team to win the National Challenge Cup, known today as the U.S. Open Cup.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}


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{{main|Maccabi Los Angeles}}
{{main|Maccabi Los Angeles}}


LA Maccabi won the U.S. Open Cup, known in their time as the National Challenge Cup, a record number five times.<ref>{{cite web|title=Los Angeles's Forgotten Jewish Soccer Dynasty|publisher=Vice|accessdate=2018-04-14|url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/vvawzb/los-angeles-forgotten-jewish-soccer-dynasty}}</ref>
LA Maccabi won the U.S. Open Cup, known in their time as the National Challenge Cup, a record number five times.<ref>{{cite web|title=Los Angeles's Forgotten Jewish Soccer Dynasty|date=June 29, 2015 |publisher=Vice|access-date=2018-04-14|url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/vvawzb/los-angeles-forgotten-jewish-soccer-dynasty}}</ref>


====[[Orange County Soccer Club]]====
====[[Orange County Soccer Club]]====
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The Orange County Soccer Club was a two-time consecutive finalist of the National Challenge Cup, in 1966 and '67. OCSC played Bayern Munich at [[Santa Ana Stadium]] in 1966.
The Orange County Soccer Club was a two-time consecutive finalist of the National Challenge Cup, in 1966 and '67. OCSC played Bayern Munich at [[Santa Ana Stadium]] in 1966.
<ref>{{cite web|title=1966 US Open Cup Results|work=TheCup.US|accessdate=2018-04-14|url=http://thecup.us/2009/01/26/1966-us-open-cup-results/}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=1966 US Open Cup Results|work=TheCup.US|date=January 26, 2009 |access-date=2018-04-14|url=http://thecup.us/2009/01/26/1966-us-open-cup-results/}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=1967 US Open Cup Results|work=TheCup.US|accessdate=2018-04-14|url=http://thecup.us/2009/01/26/1967-us-open-cup-results/}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=1967 US Open Cup Results|work=TheCup.US|date=January 26, 2009 |access-date=2018-04-14|url=http://thecup.us/2009/01/26/1967-us-open-cup-results/}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1966, International Tours|author=Holroyd, Steve and David Litterer|accessdate=2018-04-14|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1966.html}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1966, International Tours|author=Holroyd, Steve and David Litterer|access-date=2018-04-14|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1966.html}}</ref>


====[[Los Angeles Aztecs]]====
====[[Los Angeles Aztecs]]====
{{main|Los Angeles Aztecs}}
{{main|Los Angeles Aztecs}}

The LA Aztecs won the NASL National Championship in their inaugural season, 1974.<ref>{{cite web|title=1974-1981 Los Angeles Aztecs|work=Fun While it Lasted|accessdate=2018-04-14|url=http://funwhileitlasted.net/tag/los-angeles-aztecs/}}</ref> They played in many stadiums, including the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} The Aztecs folded in 1981.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
The LA Aztecs won the NASL National Championship in their inaugural season, 1974.<ref>{{cite web|title=1974-1981 Los Angeles Aztecs|work=Fun While it Lasted|date=June 30, 2012 |access-date=2018-04-14|url=http://funwhileitlasted.net/tag/los-angeles-aztecs/}}</ref> They played in many stadiums, including the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} The Aztecs folded in 1981.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}


====[[California Sunshine]]====
====[[California Sunshine]]====
{{main|California Sunshine}}
{{main|California Sunshine}}

The California Sunshine, an Orange County based pro team, played in the [[American Soccer League (1933-1983)|ASL]].<ref>{{cite web|title=American Soccer League Players - California Sunshine|accessdate=2018-04-14|work=nasljerseys.com|url=http://www.nasljerseys.com/ASL/Rosters/Sunshine_Rosters.htm}}</ref>
The California Sunshine, an Orange County based pro team, played in the [[American Soccer League (1933–1983)|ASL]].<ref>{{cite web|title=American Soccer League Players - California Sunshine|access-date=2018-04-14|work=nasljerseys.com|url=http://www.nasljerseys.com/ASL/Rosters/Sunshine_Rosters.htm}}</ref>


====[[Chivas USA]]====
====[[Chivas USA]]====
{{Main|Chivas USA}}
{{Main|Chivas USA}}
Club Deportivo Chivas USA was a joint venture between [[C.D. Guadalajara|Chivas de Guadalajara]] owner Jorge Vergara, partner Antonio Cué, and Major League Soccer, that operated Chivas trademarks in the United States through the Delaware entity called Chivas de Guadalajara Licensing, LLC.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mystery of Chivas Guadalajara Licensing|author=Avalos, Omar|publisher=Soccer Newsday|accessdate=2018-04-14|work=SoccerNewsday.com|date=2014|url=http://www.soccernewsday.com/usa/a/1715/the-mystery-of-chivas-guadalajara-licensing-llc}}</ref> The team folded in 2014.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
Club Deportivo Chivas USA was a joint venture between [[C.D. Guadalajara|Chivas de Guadalajara]] owner Jorge Vergara, partner Antonio Cué, and Major League Soccer, that operated Chivas trademarks in the United States through the Delaware entity called Chivas de Guadalajara Licensing, LLC.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mystery of Chivas Guadalajara Licensing|author=Avalos, Omar|publisher=Soccer Newsday|access-date=2018-04-14|work=SoccerNewsday.com|date=2014|url=http://www.soccernewsday.com/usa/a/1715/the-mystery-of-chivas-guadalajara-licensing-llc}}</ref> The team folded in 2014.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}


===Historic season records===
===Historic season records===

====Los Angeles Wolves (USA and NASL) (1967–1968)====
====Los Angeles Wolves (USA and NASL) (1967–1968)====
{{main|Los Angeles Wolves}}
{{main|Los Angeles Wolves}}
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!T
!T
!Pts
!Pts
!Reg. Season
!Reg. season
!Playoffs
!Playoffs
!Avg. Attendance
!Avg. attendance
|-
|-
|[[United Soccer Association|1967]]
|[[United Soccer Association|1967]]
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|139
|139
|3rd, Pacific Division
|3rd, Pacific Division
|''Did not qualify''
|''did not qualify''
|2,441
|2,441
|}
|}
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!colspan=7|League Record
!colspan=7|League Record
![[Soccer Bowl|Playoffs]]
![[Soccer Bowl|Playoffs]]
!colspan=2|Top Scorer
!colspan=2|Top scorer
|-
|-
!
!
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|41
|41
|15
|15
|First Round
|First round
|[[George Best]]
|[[George Best]]
|15
|15
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|69
|69
|36
|36
|''Did not qualify''
|''did not qualify''
|[[Jim Rolland]]
|[[Jim Rolland]]
|17
|17
Line 195: Line 207:
|52
|52
|Conference Final
|Conference Final
|[[Luis Fernando]]
|[[Luís Fernando Gaúcho|Luis Fernando]]
|28
|28
|-
|-
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|61
|61
|52
|52
|First Round
|First round
|[[Chris Dangerfield]]
|[[Chris Dangerfield]]
|35
|35
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!L
!L
!Pts
!Pts
!Regular Season
!Regular season
!Playoffs
!Playoffs
!Avg. Attend.
!Avg. Attend.
Line 259: Line 271:
|117
|117
|3rd, Western Division
|3rd, Western Division
|''Did not qualify''
|''did not qualify''
|8,299
|8,299
|}
|}
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![[U.S. Open Cup]]
![[U.S. Open Cup]]
!CONCACAF <br/> Champions League
!CONCACAF <br/> Champions League
!colspan=2|Top Scorer
!colspan=2|Top scorer
|-
|-
!
!
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|}
|}


==Professional clubs, Modern era==
==Professional clubs, modern era==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
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|-
|-
|[[Los Angeles FC]]
|[[Los Angeles FC]]
|[[Banc of California Stadium]]
|[[BMO Stadium]]
| align=center | 22,000
| align=center | 22,000
| align=center | 2014
| align=center | 2014
|style="font-size: 80%"|Formerly Chivas USA.
|style="font-size: 80%"|
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
!width=160px | Club !! width=150px | Stadium !! width=80px | Capacity !! width=80px | Founded !! Notes
|-
! colspan=5 | [[National Women's Soccer League]] (1)
|-
| [[Angel City FC]]
| [[BMO Stadium]]
| align=center | 22,000
| align=center | 2020
| style="font-size: 80%"|
|-
|-
|}
|}
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!colspan=5|[[USL Championship]] (2)
!colspan=5|[[USL Championship]] (2)
|-
|-
|[[LA Galaxy II]]
|[[Ventura County FC]]
|[[Dignity Health Sports Park]]
|[[Dignity Health Sports Park]]
| align=center | 5,000
| align=center | 5,000
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|-
|-
|[[California United Strikers FC]]
|[[California United Strikers FC]]
|[[Orange County Great Park|Championship Stadium]]
|[[Championship Soccer Stadium]]
| align=center |5,000
| align=center |5,000
| align=center |2017
| align=center |2017
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{{main|LA Galaxy}}
{{main|LA Galaxy}}


The launch of [[Major League Soccer]] in 1996 included the newly formed [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] as one of the founding teams. LA Soccer Partners were the original owners; [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] is the current owner. The Galaxy won the [[CONCACAF Champions Cup]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League|publisher=CONCACAF|work=concacafchampionsleague.com|accessdate=2018-04-14|url=https://www.concacafchampionsleague.com/en/about-the-scotiabank-concacaf-champions-league}}</ref>
The launch of [[Major League Soccer]] in 1996 included the newly formed [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] as one of the founding teams. LA Soccer Partners were the original owners; [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] is the current owner. The Galaxy won the [[CONCACAF Champions Cup]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League|publisher=CONCACAF|work=concacafchampionsleague.com|access-date=2018-04-14|url=https://www.concacafchampionsleague.com/en/about-the-scotiabank-concacaf-champions-league}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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![[U.S. Open Cup]]
![[U.S. Open Cup]]
!CONCACAF <br/> Champions League
!CONCACAF <br/> Champions League
!colspan=2|Top Scorer
!colspan=2|Top scorer
|-
|-
!
!
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|bgcolor="B3B7FF"|Champions
|bgcolor="B3B7FF"|Champions
|Not Held
|Not Held
|[[Luis Hernández (footballer)|Luis Hernández]]
|[[Luis Hernández (footballer, born 1968)|Luis Hernández]]
|8
|8
|-
|-
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|43
|43
|Conference Semifinal
|Conference Semifinal
|Fourth Round
|Fourth round
|Did not qualify
|Did not qualify
|[[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]]
|[[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]]
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|54
|54
|bgcolor="#B3B7FF"|Champions
|bgcolor="#B3B7FF"|Champions
|Third Round
|Third round
|Semifinal
|Semifinal
|[[Robbie Keane]]
|[[Robbie Keane]]
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|53
|53
|Conference Semifinal
|Conference Semifinal
|Third Round
|Third round
|Quarterfinal
|Quarterfinal
|[[Robbie Keane]]
|[[Robbie Keane]]
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|[[Zlatan Ibrahimović]]
|[[Zlatan Ibrahimović]]
|30
|30
|-
|[[2020 Major League Soccer season|2020]]
|West
|10th
|22
|6
|12
|4
|27
|46
|22
|Did not qualify
|Cancaled
|Did not qualify
|[[Cristian Pavón]]
|10
|-
|[[2021 Major League Soccer season|2021]]
|West
|8th
|34
|13
|12
|9
|50
|54
|48
|Did not qualify
|Cancaled
|Did not qualify
|[[Javier Hernández|Chicharito]]
|17
|-
|[[2022 Major League Soccer season|2022]]
|West
|4th
|34
|14
|12
|8
|58
|51
|50
|Conference Semifinals
|Quarter-final
|Did not qualify
|[[Javier Hernández|Chicharito]]
|17
|-
|[[2023 Major League Soccer season|2023]]
|West
|13th
|34
|8
|14
|12
|51
|67
|36
|Did not qualify
|Did not qualify
|Did not qualify
|[[Tyler Boyd (soccer)|Tyler Boyd]]<br>[[Ricard Puig]]
|7
|}
|}


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![[U.S. Open Cup]]
![[U.S. Open Cup]]
!CONCACAF <br/> Champions League
!CONCACAF <br/> Champions League
!colspan=2|Top Scorer
!colspan=2|Top scorer
|-
|-
!
!
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|[[Carlos Vela]]
|[[Carlos Vela]]
|34
|34
|-
|[[2020 Los Angeles FC season|2020]]
|West
|7th
|22
|9
|8
|5
|47
|39
|32
|First Round
|Canceled<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/08/14/report-lamar-hunt-us-open-cup-canceled-due-covid-19-pandemic |title=Report:Lamar Hunt US Open Cup canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=August 14, 2020}}</ref>
|Runner-up
|[[Diego Rossi]]
|14
|-
|[[2021 Los Angeles FC season|2021]]
|West
|9th
|34
|12
|13
|9
|53
|51
|45
|Did Not Qualify
|Canceled
|N/A
|[[Cristian Arango]]
|14
|-
|[[2022 Los Angeles FC season|2022]]
|West
|bgcolor="#B3B7FF"|'''1st'''
|34
|21
|9
|4
|66
|38
|67
|bgcolor="#B3B7FF"|'''Champions'''
|Round of 16
|N/A
|[[Cristian Arango]]
|16
|-
|[[2023 Los Angeles FC season|2023]]
|West
|3rd
|34
|14
|10
|10
|54
|39
|52
|Runners-up
|Round of 16
|Runners-up
|[[Denis Bouanga]]
|20
|}

===Angel City FC (NWSL, 2022–present)===
{{main|Angel City FC}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Season
!Pos
! colspan=7 | League Record
! [[NWSL Playoffs|Playoffs]]
! [[NWSL Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
! colspan=2|Top scorer
|-
!
|
|'''Plyd'''
|'''Won'''
|'''Lost'''
|'''Drew'''
|'''F'''
|'''A'''
|'''Pts'''
|
|
|'''Name'''
|'''Goals'''
|-
| [[2022 Angel City FC season|2022]]
| 8th
| 22
| 8
| 9
| 5
| 23
| 27
| 29
| Did not qualify
| 4th, West Division
| [[Savannah McCaskill]]
| 6
|-
| [[2023 Angel City FC season|2023]]
| 5th
| 22
| 8
| 7
| 7
| 31
| 30
| 31
| First Round
| 2nd, West Division
| [[Savannah McCaskill]]
| 6
|}
|}


==Los Angeles derbies==
==Los Angeles derbies==

=== LA Galaxy vs Chivas USA (2008–2014)===
=== LA Galaxy vs Chivas USA (2008–2014)===
{{main|SuperClasico}}
{{main|SuperClasico}}

The rivalry ended in 2014 when Chivas ceased operations.
The rivalry ended in 2014 when Chivas ceased operations.


Line 1,001: Line 1,210:


==Amateur and Semi-professional==
==Amateur and Semi-professional==

===Amateur and Semi-professional leagues===
===Amateur and Semi-professional leagues===
* [[National Premier Soccer League]]
* [[National Premier Soccer League]]
* [[SoCal Premier League]]
* [[United Premier Soccer League]]
* [[United Premier Soccer League]]
* [[USL League Two]]
* [[USL League Two]]
Line 1,010: Line 1,219:
* [[California United FC|California United FC II (UPSL)]]
* [[California United FC|California United FC II (UPSL)]]
* [[Cal FC|Cal FC (UPSL)]]
* [[Cal FC|Cal FC (UPSL)]]
* [[Deportivo Coras USA|Deportivo Coras USA (NPSL)]]
* [[Club Xolos USA U-23|Club Xolos USA U-23 (NPSL)]]
* [[FC Golden State Force|FC Golden State Force (NPSL/USL2)]]
* [[FC Golden State Force|FC Golden State Force (NPSL/USL2)]]
* [[FC Santa Clarita|FC Santa Clarita (UPSL)]]
* [[FC Santa Clarita|FC Santa Clarita (UPSL)]]
Line 1,028: Line 1,237:
|-
|-
! style="width:16%;" class="sortable"| Team
! style="width:16%;" class="sortable"| Team
! style="width:7%;" class="sortable"|[[List of American and Canadian soccer champions|D1 Regular Season]]
! style="width:7%;" class="sortable"|[[List of American and Canadian soccer champions|D1 Regular season]]
! style="width:7%;" class="sortable"|[[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]]
! style="width:7%;" class="sortable"|[[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]]
! style="width:7%;" class="sortable"|[[List of American and Canadian soccer champions|D1 <br> Playoffs]]
! style="width:7%;" class="sortable"|[[List of American and Canadian soccer champions|D1 <br> Playoffs]]
Line 1,049: Line 1,258:
|}
|}


== Stadia ==
== Stadiums ==
[[File:LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo- Western Conference Finals panorama.jpg|right|thumb|[[Dignity Health Sports Park]] during the [[2009 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference Finals|2009 MLS Western Conference Final]]]]
[[File:LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo- Western Conference Finals panorama.jpg|right|thumb|[[Dignity Health Sports Park]] during the [[2009 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference Finals|2009 MLS Western Conference Final]]]]
* [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]: Hosted the [[1994 FIFA World Cup Final]]{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
* [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]: Hosted the [[1994 FIFA World Cup Final]]{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
* [[Dignity Health Sports Park]]: Second American sports arena [[soccer-specific stadium|designed specifically]] for soccer in the MLS era. Used historically by the [[LA Galaxy]] and [[Chivas USA]].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
* [[Dignity Health Sports Park]]: Second American sports arena [[soccer-specific stadium|designed specifically]] for soccer in the MLS era. Used historically by the [[LA Galaxy]] and [[Chivas USA]].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
* [[Banc of California Stadium]]: Stadium for [[Los Angeles FC]], plans to open April 29, 2018.<ref name="Dec17">{{cite news |title=LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule|first=Kevin|last=Baxter|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html|newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=December 18, 2017|date=December 18, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Banc of California Stadium]]: Stadium for [[Los Angeles FC]], opened April 29, 2018.<ref name="Dec17">{{cite news |title=LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule|first=Kevin|last=Baxter|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html|newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=December 18, 2017|date=December 18, 2017}}</ref> Also to be the home ground for [[Angel City FC]] once that team starts play in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angel City Football Club To Play At Banc Of California Stadium In Downtown L.A. |url=https://angelcity.com/blogs/press/angel-city-football-club-banc-of-california-stadium |access-date=November 19, 2020 |date=November 19, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Santa Ana Stadium]]: A site for historic soccer exhibition games. The historic [[Orange County Soccer Club]] played [[Bayern Munich]] at this stadium in 1966. Other games included the following:
* [[Santa Ana Stadium]]: A site for historic soccer exhibition games. The historic [[Orange County Soccer Club]] played [[Bayern Munich]] at this stadium in 1966. Other games included the following:


Line 1,060: Line 1,269:
|date=June 10, 1966
|date=June 10, 1966
|time=
|time=
|team1=[[Bayern Munich]] ([[Bundesliga]])
|team1=[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] ([[Bundesliga]])
|score=3–3
|score=3–3
|aet=
|aet=
Line 1,076: Line 1,285:
|date=April 24, 1988
|date=April 24, 1988
|time=
|time=
|team1=[[Club Deportivo Guadalajara]]<br> ([[Liga MX|Primera División de México]])
|team1=[[C.D. Guadalajara]]<br> ([[Liga MX|Primera División de México]])
|score=5–4
|score=5–4
|aet=
|aet=
Line 1,112: Line 1,321:
|aet=
|aet=
|report=
|report=
|team2=[[Bayern Munich]] ([[Bundesliga]])
|team2=[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] ([[Bundesliga]])
|goals1=
|goals1=
|goals2=
|goals2=
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In 2009, Los Angeles became home to a third top-level professional team, the [[Los Angeles Sol]], a charter member of [[Women's Professional Soccer]]. WPS was the second attempt to establish a fully professional women's league in the U.S., after the demise of the [[Women's United Soccer Association]] (which did not have an L.A. representative). The Sol shared The Home Depot Center, now known as [[Dignity Health Sports Park]], with the Galaxy and Chivas USA, before ceasing operations in January 2010.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
In 2009, Los Angeles became home to a third top-level professional team, the [[Los Angeles Sol]], a charter member of [[Women's Professional Soccer]]. WPS was the second attempt to establish a fully professional women's league in the U.S., after the demise of the [[Women's United Soccer Association]] (which did not have an L.A. representative). The Sol shared The Home Depot Center, now known as [[Dignity Health Sports Park]], with the Galaxy and Chivas USA, before ceasing operations in January 2010.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}


WPS folded after the 2011 season; its effective successor, the [[National Women's Soccer League]], does not have a franchise in Los Angeles, nor in California.
WPS folded after the 2011 season; its effective successor, the [[National Women's Soccer League]], does not currently have a fully operational franchise in Los Angeles, nor in California. In July 2020, a then-unnamed team backed by an almost all-female ownership group was announced as a new NWSL member. The team, later unveiled as [[Angel City FC]], plans to start play in 2022 at [[Banc of California Stadium]], home to Los Angeles FC of MLS.

==Indoor soccer==
Although the area does not have any current professional [[indoor soccer]] teams, Los Angeles has hosted three. The [[Los Angeles Aztecs]] played one tournament and two seasons in the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL Indoor]] leagues in 1975 and from 1979 to 1981. The [[Los Angeles Lazers]] played in the [[Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992)|original Major Indoor Soccer League]] from 1982 to 1989. Finally, the [[Anaheim Splash|Los Angeles United]] played a single season in the [[Continental Indoor Soccer League]] in 1994 before being relocated to [[Anaheim Splash|Anaheim]].


== See also ==
== See also ==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Association football by city}}
{{Soccer in Los Angeles}}
{{Soccer in the United States}}
{{Soccer in the United States}}


Latest revision as of 15:43, 1 August 2024

Soccer has enjoyed longstanding popularity in Los Angeles. As of 2023, Los Angeles County has three top-level professional teams. The LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC play in Major League Soccer, and Angel City FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League. The Greater Los Angeles area is also home to one 2nd division professional team, Orange County SC, of the USL Championship, and four 3rd division professional teams, LAFC2 and LA Galaxy II, of MLS Next Pro, and Los Angeles Force and California United Strikers FC of the National Independent Soccer Association. There are also many semi-professional clubs and leagues including the United Premier Soccer League, SoCal Premier League and National Premier Soccer League, among others. In 2019, two more professional teams, Cal FC (Thousand Oaks) and California United Strikers FC (Orange County) joined a new, unsanctioned, professional league called the NPSL Founders Cup They both later left, with Cal FC joining the United Premier Soccer League.

History

[edit]

Soccer in Los Angeles began in the 20th century when the Southern California Football League was founded in 1902.[1]

Historic clubs

[edit]

Los Angeles Wolves

[edit]
Main article: Los Angeles Wolves

The first and only champions of the United Soccer Association (1967), predecessor to the North American Soccer League (1968–1984).

Los Angeles Kickers

[edit]
Main article: Los Angeles Kickers

The LA Kickers were the first LA area team to win the National Challenge Cup, known today as the U.S. Open Cup.[citation needed]

Maccabi Los Angeles

[edit]
Main article: Maccabi Los Angeles

LA Maccabi won the U.S. Open Cup, known in their time as the National Challenge Cup, a record number five times.[2]

Orange County Soccer Club

[edit]
Main article: Orange County Soccer Club

The Orange County Soccer Club was a two-time consecutive finalist of the National Challenge Cup, in 1966 and '67. OCSC played Bayern Munich at Santa Ana Stadium in 1966. [3] [4] [5]

Los Angeles Aztecs

[edit]
Main article: Los Angeles Aztecs

The LA Aztecs won the NASL National Championship in their inaugural season, 1974.[6] They played in many stadiums, including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.[citation needed] The Aztecs folded in 1981.[citation needed]

California Sunshine

[edit]
Main article: California Sunshine

The California Sunshine, an Orange County based pro team, played in the ASL.[7]

Chivas USA

[edit]
Main article: Chivas USA

Club Deportivo Chivas USA was a joint venture between Chivas de Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara, partner Antonio Cué, and Major League Soccer, that operated Chivas trademarks in the United States through the Delaware entity called Chivas de Guadalajara Licensing, LLC.[8] The team folded in 2014.[citation needed]

Historic season records

[edit]

Los Angeles Wolves (USA and NASL) (1967–1968)

[edit]
Main article: Los Angeles Wolves
Year League W L T Pts Reg. season Playoffs Avg. attendance
1967 USA 5 5 2 15 1st, Western Division Champions 7,777
1968 NASL 11 8 13 139 3rd, Pacific Division did not qualify 2,441

Los Angeles Aztecs (NASL) (1974–81)

[edit]
Main article: Los Angeles Aztecs

Several years after the formation of the North American Soccer League in 1968, the Los Angeles Aztecs joined NASL as an expansion team in 1974, and played from 1974 until 1981, folding after the 1981 season. The team featured international superstars such as George Best and Johan Cruyff. The team was at its most popular in 1979 and 1980, averaging over 12,000 fans both seasons.[citation needed]

Season Division Position League Record Playoffs Top scorer
P W L D F A Pts Name Goals
1974 Western 1st 20 11 2 7 41 36 110 Champions Doug McMillan 10
1975 Western 3rd 20 11 2 7 40 41 36 Conference Quarterfinals Uri Banhoffer 14
1976 Southern 3rd 44 25 6 14 89 41 15 First round George Best 15
1977 Southern 2nd 26 14 12 0 37 44 37 Conference Final George Best 14
1978 Western 4th 30 21 9 0 63 69 36 did not qualify Jim Rolland 17
1979 Western 2nd 30 18 12 0 54 62 47 Conference Semifinal Johan Cruyff 13
1980 Western 2nd 32 20 12 0 60 61 52 Conference Final Luis Fernando 28
1981 Western 2nd 32 20 12 0 60 61 52 First round Chris Dangerfield 35

California Surf (NASL) (1978–1981)

[edit]
Main article: California Surf
Year League W L Pts Regular season Playoffs Avg. Attend.
1978 NASL 13 17 115 2nd, American Conference, Western Division Lost 1st Round (San Diego) 11,171
1979 NASL 15 15 140 1st(t), American Conference, Western Division Lost 1st Round (San Diego) 10,330
1980 NASL 15 17 144 2nd, American Conference, Western Division Lost 1st Round (Ft. Lauderdale) 7,593
1981 NASL 11 21 117 3rd, Western Division did not qualify 8,299

Chivas USA (MLS) (2005–2014)

[edit]
Main article: Chivas USA
See also: SuperClasico
Season Conf Pos League Record Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions League 		Top scorer
Plyd Won Lost Drew F A Pts Name Goals
2005 West 6th 32 4 22 6 31 67 18 Did not qualify Fourth round Did not qualify Héctor Cuadros 4
2006 West 3rd 32 10 9 13 45 42 43 Conference Semifinal Third round Did not qualify Ante Razov 14
2007 West 1st 30 15 7 8 46 28 53 Conference Semifinal Third round Did not qualify Maykel Galindo 12
2008 West 2nd 30 12 11 7 40 41 43 Conference Semifinal Third round Preliminary round Alecko Eskandarian
Ante Razov
Sacha Kljestan 		5
2009 West 4th 30 13 11 6 34 31 45 Conference Semifinal Third round Did not qualify Eduardo Lillingston 8
2010 West 8th 30 8 18 4 31 45 28 Did not qualify Semifinal Did not qualify Justin Braun 9
2011 West 8th 34 8 14 12 41 43 36 Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify Justin Braun
Nick LaBrocca 		9
2012 West 9th 34 7 18 9 24 58 30 Did not qualify Semifinal Did not qualify Juan Pablo Ángel 4
2013 West 9th 34 6 20 8 30 67 26 Did not qualify Fourth round Did not qualify Erick Torres 7
2014 West 7th 34 9 16 6 29 61 33 Did not qualify Fourth round Did not qualify Erick Torres 15

Professional clubs, modern era

[edit]
Club Stadium Capacity Founded Notes
Major League Soccer (2)
LA Galaxy Dignity Health Sports Park 27,000 1994 Los Angeles' first MLS franchise.
Los Angeles FC BMO Stadium 22,000 2014
Club Stadium Capacity Founded Notes
National Women's Soccer League (1)
Angel City FC BMO Stadium 22,000 2020
Club Stadium Capacity Founded Notes
USL Championship (2)
Ventura County FC Dignity Health Sports Park 5,000 2015 USL affiliate of LA Galaxy.
Orange County SC Championship Stadium 5,000 2016 Former USL affiliate of LAFC.
Club Stadium Capacity Founded Notes
National Independent Soccer Association
California United Strikers FC Championship Soccer Stadium 5,000 2017
Los Angeles Force Rio Hondo Stadium 1,000 2019

LA Galaxy (MLS) (1996–present)

[edit]
Main article: LA Galaxy

The launch of Major League Soccer in 1996 included the newly formed Los Angeles Galaxy as one of the founding teams. LA Soccer Partners were the original owners; Anschutz Entertainment Group is the current owner. The Galaxy won the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2000.[9]

Season Conf Pos League Record Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions League 		Top scorer
Plyd Won Lost Drew F A Pts Name Goals
1996 West 1st 32 19 13 0 59 49 49 Final Did not enter Did not qualify Eduardo Hurtado 21
1997 West 2nd 32 16 16 0 55 44 44 Conference Semifinal Did not enter Final Welton 11
1998 West 1st 32 24 8 0 85 44 68 Conference Semifinal Did not enter Did not enter Cobi Jones 19
1999 West 1st 32 20 12 0 49 29 54 Final Quarterfinal Did not qualify Cobi Jones
Carlos Hermosillo 		8
2000 West 2nd 32 14 10 8 47 37 50 Semifinal Semifinal Champions Cobi Jones 7
2001 West 1st 26 14 7 5 52 36 47 Final Champions Not Held Luis Hernández 8
2002 West 1st 28 16 9 3 44 33 51 Champions Final Did not qualify Carlos Ruiz 24
2003 West 4th 30 9 12 9 35 35 36 Conference Semifinal Semifinal Quarterfinal Carlos Ruiz 15
2004 West 2nd 30 11 9 10 42 40 43 Conference Semifinal Fourth round Did not qualify Carlos Ruiz 11
2005 West 4th 32 13 13 6 44 45 45 Champions Champions Did not qualify Landon Donovan 12
2006 West 5th 32 11 15 6 37 37 39 Did not qualify Final Quarterfinal Landon Donovan 12
2007 West 5th 30 9 14 7 38 48 34 Did not qualify Third round Did not qualify Landon Donovan 8
2008 West 6th 30 8 13 9 55 62 33 Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify Landon Donovan 20
2009 West 1st 30 12 6 12 36 31 48 Final Did not qualify Did not qualify Landon Donovan 12
2010 West 1st 30 18 7 5 44 26 59 Conference Final Quarterfinal Preliminary round Edson Buddle 19
2011 West 1st 34 19 5 10 48 28 67 Champions Quarterfinal Quarterfinal Landon Donovan 12
2012 West 4th 34 16 12 6 59 47 54 Champions Third round Semifinal Robbie Keane 16
2013 West 3rd 34 15 11 8 53 38 53 Conference Semifinal Third round Quarterfinal Robbie Keane 16
2014 West 2nd 34 17 7 10 69 37 61 Champions Fifth round Did not qualify Robbie Keane 19
2015 West 5th 34 14 11 9 56 46 51 Knockout round Quarterfinal Quarterfinal Robbie Keane 20
2016 West 3rd 34 12 6 16 54 39 52 Conference Semifinal Semifinal Did not qualify Giovani dos Santos 14
2017 West 11th 34 8 18 8 45 67 32 Did not qualify Quarterfinal Did not qualify Romain Alessandrini 13
2018 West 7th 34 13 12 9 66 64 48 Did not qualify Round of 16 Did not qualify Zlatan Ibrahimović 22
2019 West 5th 34 16 15 3 56 55 51 Conference Semifinal Round of 16 Did not qualify Zlatan Ibrahimović 30
2020 West 10th 22 6 12 4 27 46 22 Did not qualify Cancaled Did not qualify Cristian Pavón 10
2021 West 8th 34 13 12 9 50 54 48 Did not qualify Cancaled Did not qualify Chicharito 17
2022 West 4th 34 14 12 8 58 51 50 Conference Semifinals Quarter-final Did not qualify Chicharito 17
2023 West 13th 34 8 14 12 51 67 36 Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify Tyler Boyd
Ricard Puig 		7

Los Angeles FC (MLS) (2018–present)

[edit]
Main article: Los Angeles FC
Season Conf Pos League Record Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions League 		Top scorer
Plyd Won Lost Drew F A Pts Name Goals
2018 West 3rd 34 16 9 9 68 52 57 Knockout round Semifinal Did not qualify Carlos Vela 14
2019 West 1st 34 21 4 9 85 37 72 Conference Final Quarterfinal Did not qualify Carlos Vela 34
2020 West 7th 22 9 8 5 47 39 32 First Round Canceled[10] Runner-up Diego Rossi 14
2021 West 9th 34 12 13 9 53 51 45 Did Not Qualify Canceled N/A Cristian Arango 14
2022 West 1st 34 21 9 4 66 38 67 Champions Round of 16 N/A Cristian Arango 16
2023 West 3rd 34 14 10 10 54 39 52 Runners-up Round of 16 Runners-up Denis Bouanga 20

Angel City FC (NWSL, 2022–present)

[edit]
Main article: Angel City FC
Season Pos League Record Playoffs Challenge Cup Top scorer
Plyd Won Lost Drew F A Pts Name Goals
2022 8th 22 8 9 5 23 27 29 Did not qualify 4th, West Division Savannah McCaskill 6
2023 5th 22 8 7 7 31 30 31 First Round 2nd, West Division Savannah McCaskill 6

Los Angeles derbies

[edit]

LA Galaxy vs Chivas USA (2008–2014)

[edit]
Main article: SuperClasico

The rivalry ended in 2014 when Chivas ceased operations.

LA Galaxy vs Los Angeles FC (2018–present)

[edit]
Main article: El Tráfico

Los Angeles FC joined the league in 2018 and a crosstown rivalry, El Tráfico, was created.[11]

Amateur and Semi-professional

[edit]

Amateur and Semi-professional leagues

[edit]

Amateur and Semi-professional clubs

[edit]

Most successful clubs overall

[edit]

Teams in bold are still active.

Team D1 Regular season U.S. Open Cup D1
Playoffs 		CONCACAF Champions League Total
LA Galaxy 4 2 5 1 12
Los Angeles Aztecs 1 0 1 0 2
Los Angeles FC 1 0 0 0 1
Los Angeles Wolves 0 0 1 0 1
California Surf 0 0 0 0 0
Chivas USA 0 0 0 0 0

Stadiums

[edit]
Dignity Health Sports Park during the 2009 MLS Western Conference Final
June 10, 1966 Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) 3–3 Orange County Soccer Club (Continental League) Santa Ana, CA
Stadium: Santa Ana Stadium
April 24, 1988 C.D. Guadalajara
(Primera División de México) 		5–4 United States
(United States Soccer Federation) 		Santa Ana, CA
Stadium: Santa Ana Stadium
August 28, 1988 Club Sport Herediano
(Primera División de Costa Rica) 		1–0 Club Deportivo Olimpia
(Liga Nacional de Honduras) 		Santa Ana, CA
Stadium: Santa Ana Stadium
January 13, 1989 Club América (Liga MX) 2–1 Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) Santa Ana, CA
Stadium: Santa Ana Stadium
Attendance: 11,500
November 16, 2015 Atlético Marte
(Salvadoran Primera División) 		2–4 Orange County Blues FC (USL) Santa Ana, CA
Stadium: Santa Ana Stadium
Attendance: 1,684

Women's soccer

[edit]

In 2009, Los Angeles became home to a third top-level professional team, the Los Angeles Sol, a charter member of Women's Professional Soccer. WPS was the second attempt to establish a fully professional women's league in the U.S., after the demise of the Women's United Soccer Association (which did not have an L.A. representative). The Sol shared The Home Depot Center, now known as Dignity Health Sports Park, with the Galaxy and Chivas USA, before ceasing operations in January 2010.[citation needed]

WPS folded after the 2011 season; its effective successor, the National Women's Soccer League, does not currently have a fully operational franchise in Los Angeles, nor in California. In July 2020, a then-unnamed team backed by an almost all-female ownership group was announced as a new NWSL member. The team, later unveiled as Angel City FC, plans to start play in 2022 at Banc of California Stadium, home to Los Angeles FC of MLS.

Indoor soccer

[edit]

Although the area does not have any current professional indoor soccer teams, Los Angeles has hosted three. The Los Angeles Aztecs played one tournament and two seasons in the NASL Indoor leagues in 1975 and from 1979 to 1981. The Los Angeles Lazers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989. Finally, the Los Angeles United played a single season in the Continental Indoor Soccer League in 1994 before being relocated to Anaheim.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "History of Soccer in Greater Los Angeles". American Soccer History Archives. August 12, 2011.
  2. ^ "Los Angeles's Forgotten Jewish Soccer Dynasty". Vice. June 29, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  3. ^ "1966 US Open Cup Results". TheCup.US. January 26, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "1967 US Open Cup Results". TheCup.US. January 26, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  5. ^ Holroyd, Steve and David Litterer. "The Year in American Soccer - 1966, International Tours". Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  6. ^ "1974-1981 Los Angeles Aztecs". Fun While it Lasted. June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  7. ^ "American Soccer League Players - California Sunshine". nasljerseys.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  8. ^ Avalos, Omar (2014). "The Mystery of Chivas Guadalajara Licensing". SoccerNewsday.com. Soccer Newsday. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  9. ^ "About the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League". concacafchampionsleague.com. CONCACAF. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  10. ^ "Report:Lamar Hunt US Open Cup canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "Wiebe: First-ever "El Trafico" will lay stakes for LA Galaxy-LAFC rivalry". MLSsoccer.com. March 30, 2018.
  12. ^ Baxter, Kevin (December 18, 2017). "LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  13. ^ "Angel City Football Club To Play At Banc Of California Stadium In Downtown L.A." November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
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