From hiring Bob Bradley to announcing Carlos Vela as the club’s first DP, Los Angeles FC has translated all its organizational momentum on to the field, where the club currently sits in second place in the Western Conference standings.
But the best thing LAFC did in its growth before expansion was build it’s own stadium.
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That’s according to Forbes Mexico, who’s poll on the most valuable soccer clubs in North and South America ranked LAFC at No. 3 in our hemisphere, ahead of Gremio of Brazil, Chivas and Monterrey in Mexico and both Boca Juniors and River Plate in Argentina. Forbes Mexico believes, mainly thanks to LAFC’s shiny new Banc of California Stadium, the club is worth more than $400 million. Joining LAFC in the top ten from MLS in the rankings is the New England Revolution (No. 4) and the New York Red Bulls (No. 8).
Forbes looked at three criteria for its rankings. The value of the current squad players (not including players on-loan), value of the club’s brand and the cost of the stadium. The Revolution are valued at $351.2 million and the Red Bulls are valued at $264 million. All three clubs can mainly thank the fact that they own their own stadiums.
Since last year’s rankings, the LA Galaxy and Orlando City have dropped out of the top 10.