LAFC loans MLS top goal-scorer Diego Rossi to FenerbahÃ§e

Posted September 01, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles FC has loaned high-scoring forward Diego Rossi to FenerbahÃ§e in Turkey's top division.

The MLS club announced the move Wednesday to part ways with the winner of last season's Golden Boot as the league's top goal-scorer.

The 23-year-old Rossi has been a key part of LAFC since the franchise's inaugural season in 2018. The Uruguayan joined LAFC as its second designated player and promptly scored the first goal in franchise history during a win at Seattle in its inaugural game.

Rossi recorded 44 goals and 21 assists while appearing in 103 matches for LAFC. He leads the team with 8,766 minutes played and 99 career starts, and he led MLS during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with 14 goals in 19 games.

Although he was an MLS All-Star last month at LAFC's Banc of California Stadium, Rossi has just six goals in 19 games this season, and his departure will spur an apparently necessary retooling of LAFC's roster. The 2019 Supporters' Shield winners are 11th in the 13-team Western Conference at 6-9-6, their worst start to an MLS season.

Rossi's departure for Europe has been rumored since his first year at LAFC. FenerbahÃ§e finished second in Turkey last season, and it will participate in the Europa League's group stage this season.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Atlanta United defender Anton Walkes battles Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.