Our player postmortem series rolls on as we wrap up the defense for LAFC, with the mustached maestro himself, defender Ryan Hollingshead. It was another productive season for the veteran defender who wrapped up season four in black & gold in 2025. Not only was this another solid season statistically for Hollingshead, but with fellow defender Aaron Long out with injury, he showed he could step up as a leader within the squad when they needed him most.
Back for more 🏆
👨🏻 Ryan Hollingshead re-signs with the club. pic.twitter.com/HBhxnJiwb5
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 24, 2025
You don’t need much more proof of the season going well for Hollingshead than the fact that the team didn’t hesitate, nor did they wait until the offseason, to sign him to an extension. The veteran outside back signed on for another two seasons in Los Angeles, keeping him here through 2027, a deal he penned shortly before MLS Playoffs began. One big milestone for the defender happened in June, when he joined the 300 club, making his 300th MLS Regular Season appearance. Hollingshead made 34 MLS regular season appearances with 25 starts, as well as starting every match of the team’s FIFA Club World Cup appearance, every match of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and featured in two Leagues Cup matches for LAFC.
As an outside back, Hollingshead was tasked with playing a role in the attack, and he did pretty well in that regard with 1,832 touches he managed 1,124 successful passes (86% success rate), had 95 touches in the opposition’s box, created 34 chances, had 15 successful dribbles, earned 23 fouls, drew one penalty, served up four assists and even found the back of the net on two occasions.
HollingsheadER 👨🏻
Ryan Hollingshead rises and scores off the corner kick to draw us level.#CHIvLAFC 1-1 https://t.co/9SyiZB5L7G pic.twitter.com/0kXr6o2AKo
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 10, 2025
Defensively, Hollingshead had another solid season for the career book. He made 47 tackles, won 142 duels (57% win rate), won 57 aerial duels (58% win rate), accumulated nine blocked shots, had 33 interceptions, made 96 recoveries, won possession in the final third seven times, was dribbled past just 18 times and only conceded two penalties in 2025. Not bad for one of the elder statesmen on the team, who continued this season to show why everyone seems to lean on him when it matters most.
Tonight’s match marks 300 Regular Season @MLS Appearances for Ryan Hollingshead 👨🏻 pic.twitter.com/hgRDWXkVj1
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 9, 2025
Ryan Hollingshead has become a cult-hero type player in his time with LAFC. While he might not be the biggest superstar on the squad, or have all the attention that players like Bouanga or Son have, he is still someone that has won the adoration of the fans. He is the type of player that, when you least expect it, and when you need it most, he shows up. His ability to score goals as a defender has made him almost prolific, and his sweet mustache has made him one of the more fun personalities in MLS. For LAFC, it’s not just his ability or personality, but his leadership they covet the most. His ability to gain the attention of those superstars and show them the way. He is the type of player LAFC is going to need going forward if they hope to finally get over that hump and win their second MLS Cup anytime soon.
Thoughts on the 2025 season for Ryan Hollingshead? Leave a comment below!