Year 4 for the Los Angeles Football Club under head coach Steve Cherundolo begins today on the frozen terrain near Denver. Between the ongoing work of the front office and the technical staff, the club appears set up for success again, though that’s never a guarantee as LAFC supporters remember from Bob Bradley’s fourth season in charge.

There’s no reason to anticipate a 2021-type stumble from this Cherundolo-led group, but even in the best of situations, it’s always a fight for Major League Soccer teams to avoid falling off the pace. Here are the top questions as action gets underway:

Who makes up for all the lost production?

Wingers score at LAFC. That’s been the club’s M.O. since its founding. Last year, the duo of Mateusz Bogusz and Denis Bouanga accounted for the most goal production in MLS behind only Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Bogusz’s breakout season (20 goals and 12 assists in all competitions) was considerably more than projected. No one had him finishing in the neighborhood of what Carlos Vela would have produced during his talisman days in black and gold.

After transferring Bogusz to Cruz Azul, LAFC did the same last Friday when it moved Cristian Olivera (14 goals and four assists in all competitions) to Brazilian club Grêmio. Next-man-up honors obviously go to French striker Olivier Giroud, who underperformed after joining in the summer.

Arriving at preseason camp “fit and bright,” Cherundolo said Giroud’s “adjustment period is over” and he’s been happy with the 38-year-old’s performance.

When the move becomes official, Cherundolo can also call upon Turkish forward Cengiz Ünder, who sources confirm will join LAFC on loan from Fenerbahçe as a third Designated Player through the summer window.

Free agent signing Jeremy Ebobisse is highly capable and young players David Martínez and Nathan Ordaz need to contribute. If he stays fit, Martínez is in line for a significant uptick in minutes from his first season. Cherundolo also noted that midfielders Mark Delgado, Timothy Tillman and Odin Holm should chip in.

What if Giroud doesn’t produce?

There’s no bigger question mark about a single player on the squad than the French World Cup winner. Should he do what everyone around LAFC hopes he will, problem solved. But the alternative — inconsistent goal contributions, showing his age in games, not staying fit — raises all sorts of issues that could become obstacles along the way.

Where is LAFC strong?

1) Depth. Across the roster, LAFC is poised to go at least two-deep at nearly every position as it aims to make a third straight 50-plus-match run. 2) The backline. A variety of playmaking fullbacks and strong center backs constitute options for Cherundolo as he assembles the team’s defensive formations.

What is the biggest on-field area of concern?

When LAFC is operating at full bore, the midfield’s ability to control games (press, counter-press and play with the ball) creates transition opportunities and, ultimately, goals. The middle of the park saw the most upheaval coming into 2025. The new group must mesh and deliver for the Black & Gold to make good on lofty expectations.

Is Antoine Griezmann ever actually signing with LAFC?

The MLS secondary transfer window (July 24-August 21) should yield that answer. Griezmann is currently scoring goals for Atlético Madrid as La Liga and UEFA Champions League games take place. The French star’s long-whispered arrival would complete the “French Connection” that LAFC began piecing together since the arrival of Denis Bouanga in the summer of ’22. Where English and Spanish once dominated the dressing room, French quickly rocketed up the charts.

Bouanga has enjoyed plenty of chances to converse with the likes of Giroud, Ebobisse, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and center back Maxime Chanot. He has repeatedly said he would love for Griezmann to join the group.

Has Carlos Vela’s time with LAFC come to an end?

Vela and the club are quiet about his future for now, but there’s little reason to think that the Mexican forward — the face of the franchise since 2017 — will suit up for LAFC. Does that mean his affiliation with the club is over? Not necessarily. As their eighth season gets underway, odds are far better that LAFC will erect a statue in Vela’s honor than sign him to the roster, like they did late last year.