The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today that Colombian legend and former MLS All-Star Juan Pablo Angel will assist the Club in a technical consultant role. Based in Medellin, Angel’s primary job is to help ensure that LAFC is establishing the most efficient infrastructure in South America.
“This is a massive and important addition to our Soccer Operations staff,” LAFC General Manager and Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations John Thorrington said. “Juan Pablo brings the perfect combination of expertise, knowledge and background in the region to our club, and he will make sure we are laying the right foundation to place us in pole position for top talent in South America whom are the right fit for LAFC.”
Angel most recently served as a member of the technical staff at Atletico Nacional in Colombia, helping the club to one of the most successful eras in its history and a Copa Libertadores title in 2016.
“I am excited to be a part of the process of building LAFC,” Angel said. “The vision and investment of this club to find players in South America is impressive and shows that LAFC is committed to doing things differently in order to be successful.”
An electrifying and dangerous goal scorer, Angel enjoyed a sparkling 21-year career that saw him set scoring records in all four of the leagues he played in. Angel played for Atletico Nacional (1993-97, 2013-2014) in his native Colombia, River Plate (1997-2001) in Argentina, Aston Villa (2001-2007) in the English Premier League and the New York Red Bulls (2007-2010), L.A. Galaxy (2011) and Chivas USA (2011-2012) in MLS. He also played 33 times for the Colombian National Team.
“Juan Pablo will play an important role for us as we look to build and grow our talent network in South America,” LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley said. “He brings a deep understanding of the game and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Angel came to MLS in 2007 and joined the New York Red Bulls, scoring 58 goals in 102 total games. Angel remains the second leading goal-scorer in Red Bulls history and finished his MLS career with 72 goals. He returned to Atletico Nacional in 2013 and helped the club to four Colombian Championships, a berth in the Copa Libertadores Semi-finals and a trip to the Copa Sudamericana Finals before retiring in 2014.
