Our Player Postmortem series rolls on as we continue to take a look at the middle of the pitch. We also keep the theme going with players who were in Los Angeles, but will be starting 2025 elsewhere. Today, we take a look at a player that was brought in during the MLS veteran renaissance, and quickly rose to the ranks of team leader and even flirted with being a fan favorite during his time in Los Angeles. Midfielder Ilie Sánchez joined LAFC with the hopes of helping them get over the hump, not only doing that, but doing so much more in his time with the club.
MATCH WINNER 🚀
Ilie Sanchez with a strike from distance in the final moments.#VANvLAFC 1-2 pic.twitter.com/XCRw4TOxhV
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 14, 2024
Sánchez may not have had the biggest leap in improvement from 2023, or had an eye-watering 2024, however he did do exactly what the club wanted. He put in amazing shifts for the club and more importantly, was a true leader amongst the roster. Not just one that vocally held others accountable, not just a leader that led by example, but a leader that was a true extension of the coach on the pitch. A player that may not have had the flash and excitement as some of his teammates, but one that always seemed to come up big when the team needed it the most.
In 2024 Ilie started 24 of his 31 appearances for the club, tallying 2162 minutes. He finished with 87% successful pass percentage with just under 1200 pass attempts. He also came away with 12 key passes in attack and served up three assists this past season. He was able to get on the scoresheet this season as well, coming away with just one goal for the side, but it was a big win. A match-winning goal as the season was nearing its close, giving his side not just the win, but securing home field advantage for the opening round, something they absolutely ended up needing to help propel them past the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Part of our History.
📝 Ilie Sánchez joins @AustinFC pic.twitter.com/rs4kngXRSm
— LAFC (@LAFC) December 31, 2024
Before the new year began, it was announced by the club that they would not be giving a new contract to the Spanish midfielder. While it may have “only” been three seasons in Los Angeles, he was able to make them count as he was a critical piece of the puzzle in getting the club’s first-ever MLS Cup in 2022, and from then on all he’s done is continue to grow not just as a player, but as a leader. He was often times wearing the Captains armband for matches, and while it was not a huge shock to see him go, it was not a move fans took lightly, and one that left a massive hole to fill not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
Thoughts on Ilie? Leave a comment below!