When the young 21-year-old defender signed on with LAFC at the start of 2024, it was thought of as another depth signing with an eye towards the future. Few expected the Liga MX product to come in and breakthrough the starting XI right away, but many felt this was a player that could provide solid minutes while getting developed and learned the system, with the hopes of making an impact in 2025. Unfortunately, the 2024 season didn’t go how anyone had hoped for the black & gold, with the team now going through changes, along with some roster turnover.
WHAT A FINISH BY OMAR CAMPOS đź’Ą#LAFCvSKC 2-1 pic.twitter.com/ktUqvH1I4m
— LAFC (@LAFC) September 26, 2024
“Omar is an incredibly talented left back with incredible potential and vast experience in Liga MX despite his young age,” LAFC co-president & general manager John Thorrington said in a release at the time of the signing. “Omar is a fantastic addition to our strong group of defenders, and we are confident this move to LAFC will be a positive one for Omar and our club in our pursuit of more trophies. I would also like to thank Santos and the Orlegi group for their cooperation throughout the process.”
While the season didn’t end with as many trophies as the team would have liked, they did secure their first-ever US Open Cup trophy, a tournament where Campos really shined, even scoring the go-ahead goal in extra time of the USOC Final against what was then a tough Sporting KC side. The team added a third to seal the trophy, but it was Campos who effectively drove the knife through the heart of SKC, helping secure that first-ever US Open Cup for the black & gold. As for the regular season, Campos made 27 appearances with 17 starts for LAFC. He tallied just over 1600 minutes, served up three assists and finished with an impressive 83% passing success rate. He won 60% of his aerial duels (30) and had a respectable 18 clearances but was unable to record a single interception. Though to be fair, as a left back in the system, he was more used for pace and attack, pushing the ball forward more than staying back in defense.
Part of our History.
đź“ť #LAFC transfers defender Omar Campos to @CruzAzul of Liga MX. pic.twitter.com/09MChAVRnp
— LAFC (@LAFC) January 5, 2025
While Campos had a really strong start to life in the MLS, it was obvious given the finish the team had, and with current backline veterans around, the young Mexican became an odd-man-out of sorts. Not quite at the level LAFC need at the moment, and with the club in a constant state of win-now, it came as no surprise to see him sold almost a year after his arrival, despite originally signing a deal through 2027. The youngster was transferred to Cruz Azul, making his Liga MX return after just a year in MLS.
Thoughts on Omar Campos in 2024? Leave a comment below!