The 2019 Landon Donovan MLS MVP grabbed a first-half brace from the penalty-kick spot and via a breakaway. Then he provided a trademark second-half tally, curling to the far post for a 3-0 lead. All goals were scored across a 21-minute span, and before the 50th minute.
It was Vela’s first hat trick for the Black & Gold since an Oct. 6, 2019 match, also against the Rapids. The Designated Player star now has three career hat tricks for LAFC.
