LAFC's young guns are making an impact

New head coach Marc Dos Santos has favored more experienced options, but players like David Martínez, 20, Nathan Ordaz, 22, and Swedish midfielder Amin Boudri, 21, are playing with confidence and contributing to the team's early success.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:18am

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Six games into the season, the Los Angeles Football Club has already called on 22 players to provide minutes. While head coach Marc Dos Santos has favored more experienced options to start the season, younger talents like David Martínez, Nathan Ordaz, and Amin Boudri are making an impact off the bench and earning more playing time.

Why it matters

LAFC's ability to integrate young, talented players into the lineup alongside veteran stars like Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min will be crucial to the team's success this season as they compete in both MLS and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The details

Martínez, 20, has scored three goals, including game-winners against Inter Miami and FC Dallas. Ordaz, 22, has scored one goal as a substitute and is pushing the veteran starters for more playing time. Boudri, 21, has impressed with his physical, ambitious style of play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.

  • LAFC has played six games so far this season.
  • Martínez, Ordaz, and Boudri have all seen significant minutes in the early part of the season.

The players

David Martínez

A 20-year-old Venezuelan attacker who has scored three goals, including game-winners, for LAFC this season.

Nathan Ordaz

A 22-year-old homegrown attacker from Van Nuys who has scored one goal as a substitute this season.

Amin Boudri

A 21-year-old Swedish midfielder who has impressed with his physical, ambitious style of play in LAFC's CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.

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What they’re saying

“David's been killing it lately, so that's amazing for us and for him as well. It just shows you can put trust in us younger guys.”

— Nathan Ordaz, LAFC player (presstelegram.com)

“The depth just shows the quality of the team and pushes you to be better. If you're not awake, if you're not ready then maybe the coach considers somebody else to go in at a certain time.”

— Nathan Ordaz, LAFC player (presstelegram.com)

“It's a lot easier for everybody to get into the final third with our playing style now, I think. The whole team pushes up. The whole team is one attacking. There's a lot more opportunity for everybody to play their role to score.”

— Nathan Ordaz, LAFC player (presstelegram.com)

What’s next

LAFC will face St. Louis City on Saturday, March 18 at 7:30 PM. Midfielder Stephen Eustáquio is ruled out due to a leg injury, so Amin Boudri could make his first regular-season start for LAFC.

The takeaway

LAFC's ability to integrate talented young players like David Martínez, Nathan Ordaz, and Amin Boudri into the lineup alongside veteran stars will be crucial to the team's success this season as they compete in both MLS and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.