It only took a few minutes for the Black & Gold community to first view the greatness of Diego Rossi, when early in the opening moments of the first match in club history on March 3, 2018, the Club’s phenom received a pass from Carlos Vela and scored the first-ever LAFC goal to defeat the Seattle Sounders 1-0.
The historical significance of that goal, was obvious, and it set an early standard of excellence that led Rossi to the final seconds running off the game clock on Nov. 8, 2020, when Vela officially passed on to him the 2020 MLS Golden Boot, the award for leading MLS in scoring.
The 2020 MLS season seemed to pick up in March almost exactly where LAFC had left off after a record-breaking 2019. Reigning Golden Boot winner Carlos Vela scored goals in the Club’s first two matches against Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union, and the Club’s other Designated Player, Rossi came into the season invigorated, scoring against the Union and recording the historic game-winning goal in the first-round comeback in the Concacaf Champions League vs. Mexico’s Club León, arguably one of the Club’s biggest wins.
But then, the league and Rossi’s 2020 campaign came to a halt when the global COVID-19 pandemic hit.
It was during this time, however, that Rossi began to lay the groundwork for what would be a historic remainder of the year. Locked out of LAFC’s Practice Facility and forced to work out on his own, Rossi up linked-up with fellow Uruguayans, LAFC midfielder Francisco Ginella and UFC standout Gaston Reyno, to continue to push himself and stay in game form.
“Since the start of the pandemic, I made it a point to be mentally strong,” Rossi said. “I also made sure to be in shape and ready to play, especially since we didn’t know when we would begin playing again. It was always that positive mentality to continue working hard throughout the year.”
Once LAFC players began to gather again in preparation for the MLS Is Back Tournament in July in Orlando, Rossi’s fitness grabbed everyone’s attention.
“During the lay-off, it was a real challenge to keep guys going. Our performance staff, they did an excellent job,” Bradley said. “Most guys came back in good shape, but I think Diego is the one who set the bar the highest. He looks like he didn’t miss a beat and has been really good in training.”
With 2019 MLS MVP and leading scorer Vela forced to miss the tournament due to his wife’s pregnancy, the Black & Gold needed someone to step up and replace all of that offense. It was Rossi who always answered the call.
“I’ve said over these last few months, Diego has really been in good form,” Bradley said. “He is really working hard with a very good mentality.”
Good form, check. Good mentality, indeed. Rossi burst out of the gates in the MIB tournament, adding a goal in the first match against Houston. Then came some more history. The second match of the tournament, a crosstown rivalry matchup against the Galaxy, saw Diego tally a staggering four goals, becoming just the 13th player in MLS history to score four or more goals in a game, and the first to do so since May 18, 2019 when Chris Wondolowski did it. Diego managed to notch a brace in the Knockout Stage win against the Seattle Sounders en-route to his first trophies of the year, MLS is Back Tournament Golden Boot, Best XI, and Young Player of the Tournament.
When LAFC returned to Banc of California to play matches in August, Rossi was forced to quickly continue his new-found leadership role, as Vela was sidelined with a knee injury on Aug. 22 that would keep him out for the majority of the season.
He added another goal at Seattle to finish out the month of August, then bagged another brace at San Jose, giving him goals in back-to-back games and his second multi-goal game of the 2020 regular season.
“Diego is a stud and he’s been an absolute baller for us,” LAFC defender Dejan Jaković said. “He’s starting to show everyone what he is capable of doing.”
As the season progressed, it wasn’t only goals that Diego was responsible for. The Black & Gold went through the toughest stretch in its young history with both Vela and 2019 Best XI midfielder Eduard Atuesta missing time due to injury, and by mid-September, had already surpassed its loss total (4) from the year before. But through the ups and downs of one of the most unique seasons ever, it was Rossi who was the constant – leading the team on the field and off and providing a lift in any way that he could.
“We love the way Diego has taken more responsibility,” Bradley said. “He’s become more of a leader. You could see it in Orlando and it continues. He’s growing as a player. I’m really proud to see the way Diego just keeps focused on the right things. He’s a really good team guy and I think he’s getting better and better.”
Donning the captain’s armband, he added a goal at home against Portland on September 13 to help the Club to a much needed three points, and another against Vancouver as part of a 6-0 route at the Banc a week later.
While most fans and soccer pundits focused on Vela for the first two seasons of LAFC’s existence, Rossi made sure that the second Designated Player signed in team history was now thought of as a first option. On Oct. 4, Rossi scored against Real Salt Lake, nothing his 50th career goal in all competitions, an incredible showing for the 22-year-old.
“Diego has improved every year,” Bob Bradley said. “He’s been a good player from the start, but he has grown, and he’s worked hard on his finishing. You see the improvement there.”
The world noticed Rossi’s scoring spree, and it earned him his first-ever inclusion on the Uruguay Senior National Team’s roster for the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers after Cristhian Stuani, a striker for Spanish club Girona, went down with an injury. It was an invaluable experience, positioning him alongside the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suárez and Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani.
“He is a special kind of player,” LAFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega said. “He’s stepping up right now.”
Ultimately, Rossi missed three MLS games on international duty, but picked up right where he left off in his return, adding an assist in his first game back on Oct. 25 in the 2-0 victory over Club rival Galaxy. He then went off, scoring in back-to-back matches against Houston and San Jose, bringing his season goal tally to 14 and securing him the Golden Boot – the first time in MLS history that teammates have won the scoring title in consecutive seasons.
“It’s obviously a great feeling to win the trophy,” Rossi said. “It’s an accolade for the entire group because without them it would be impossible. With Carlos out, I think that showed how strong of a team we have and the options that are on the roster.”
All said and done, at 22-years-old, with a career-high .737 goals per-game average, Rossi became the youngest Golden Boot winner in MLS history. In a fitting last display, Vela waited in the LAFC locker room for the dust to clear after the season’s last game to present Diego with the trophy.
“I’m very happy for Diego to win the Golden Boot,” Bradley said. “We talked about his maturity this year, so that’s something he has earned.”
