LAFC Gets Some Deals Done - Los Angeles Sports Nation

While the MLS season is officially over and there is a new champion, New York City FC.

LAFC has done a couple of deals to relieve some of their players.

LAFC Trades Pieces

Where LAFC acquired 50,000 dollars, in General Allocation Money from new expansion team Charlotte FC, for goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega, the 26-year-old joined in LAFC’s second season, in 2019, from Real Sociedad B. Sisniega started in 28 matches for the black and gold and had five clean sheets and generated 2,520 minutes.

Another player that LAFC lost was Tristian Blackmon to the expansion draft. Losing Tristian was a huge blow to the defense. He has been with the club since day one and was a crucial component in the 2019 season. However, his 2021 was injury-plagued, thus not making much sense to have LAFC protect him in the draft. Tristian’s time with Charlotte FC was very brief, as after being selected, he was traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps for allocation money.

A deal that made no sense for LAFC was the transfer of Eduardo Atuesta to the back-to-back Copa Libertadores Champions, Palmeiras. Atuesta has been with LAFC since its arrival to MLS and was a key contributor to the team’s offense. He leaves LAFC as one of the all-time statistical leaders. Second in assists with 23, third in games played with 96, third in games started 84, third in minutes, 7,593, and third in shots with 137. Why they chose to sell him is yet to be understood, but he will be missed in the midfield. He quickly captured the fans’ hearts, and his time with the black and gold will always be remembered in a positive light.

LAFC Brings in Two Former Champions

While the transfer window has officially opened up, LAFC has done some shopping and picked up two former MLS Champions. Defender Franco Escobar from Atlanta United and forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi of the defending MLS Champions New York City. LAFC acquired Escobar in exchange for up to $600,000 allocation money, including 250,000 to be paid out in 2022 and 350,000 in 2023. Escobar brings solidarity to a backline that needs some work.

Making a great combination with Fall, where Fall can learn from his partner. Escobar has also been a clutch player coming up big in big-time games; he has a goal in the MLS Cup final and had a game-winning goal in the playoffs.

The offense is also in need of an overhaul and is in need of creative-minded players. Fresh off the MLS Cup, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi will bring his explosiveness to this LAFC team. Tajouri was the fifth pick for Charlotte FC, but he was then transferred to LAFC for $400,000 in general allocation money. This is a common practice for many expansion teams. Tajouri played the final 10 regular time minutes against Portland and the full extra time. However, he did not take a penalty. Tajouri’s explosiveness is something that LAFC will benefit from; they especially missed an explosive attacker after Rossi left.