The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has never been a stranger to the spotlight, but the first week of October 2025 has delivered a double dose of drama and excitement for the Black and Gold faithful. Not only did the club thrill fans with an innovative halftime spectacle starring Carlos Vela, but the rumor mill has also kicked into overdrive with news that Gerardo "Tata" Martino, the revered former Inter Miami and Atlanta United coach, is set to take the helm at LAFC next season. These back-to-back developments have the entire Major League Soccer (MLS) community buzzing, and for good reason.
Let’s start with the action on the field—and in the stands. On October 5th, LAFC fans at BMO Stadium were treated to more than just the usual matchday tension. DoorDash, in partnership with LAFC and creative agency GUT Los Angeles, debuted the 'Celebrity Dashcam'—an in-stadium activation that transformed halftime into a live, comedic showcase. The star of the show? None other than Carlos Vela, LAFC’s iconic former player and fan favorite.
During the break, Vela was seen sitting fieldside, phone in hand, placing a series of increasingly outrageous orders via DoorDash. From groceries and local restaurant fare to beauty products, fitness gear, and even office supplies, each item arrived on cue in DoorDash’s signature red bag. The deliveries, projected on the stadium’s Jumbotron, had the crowd roaring with laughter and disbelief. It was advertising, but not as anyone had seen it before—entertainment woven seamlessly into the matchday experience.
"With Celebrity Dashcam, we wanted to show LAFC fans that you can get almost anything delivered on-demand with DoorDash on match day and beyond," said Ariel Gambardella, head of brand partnerships at DoorDash. The playful, unscripted energy was a hit. Bruno Acanfora, chief creative officer at GUT Los Angeles, added, "This was advertising that didn’t feel like advertising. It was entertainment, built right into the matchday experience. With Celebrity Dashcam, DoorDash broke the mold of traditional sponsorships and turned an LAFC game into a stage for humour, storytelling, and brand love."
But DoorDash didn’t stop there. To keep the good vibes rolling, they offered fans a 30% discount on orders of $15 or more (up to $12 off) with the code LAFC30—a deal available for 48 hours following the match. The activation’s fun didn’t stay confined to the stadium either; clips and highlights from the event began rolling out across DoorDash’s social and digital channels, bringing the energy of the match to fans everywhere.
While fans were still chuckling over Vela’s antics, another headline began to dominate the conversation: the imminent arrival of Tata Martino as LAFC’s next head coach. According to respected journalist German Garcia Grova, Martino reached a verbal agreement to join LAFC for the 2026 season, a move that’s set to reshape the club’s future. The Argentine tactician is no stranger to MLS glory, having previously guided Atlanta United to a championship and leading Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.
Martino’s departure from Inter Miami at the end of the 2024 season was a surprise to many. Citing personal reasons, he stepped aside, paving the way for Javier Mascherano to take over the Herons for 2025. Under Mascherano, Inter Miami has experienced both highs and lows, including a recent dramatic comeback victory over the New England Revolution that propelled them to third in the Eastern Conference. With the Supporters’ Shield now out of reach, Miami is focused on their next big test against Atlanta United on October 11th.
Meanwhile, Martino’s name was linked to several clubs during his sabbatical. The New England Revolution, St. Louis City, Sporting Kansas, and even Chilean powerhouse Colo-Colo reportedly expressed interest. Yet, it was LAFC’s ambitious project—headlined by superstar signings Heung-Ming Son and Denis Bouanga—that ultimately lured Martino back to MLS. The prospect of guiding one of the league’s most dynamic attacking duos was simply too enticing to pass up.
Steve Cherundolo, LAFC’s current manager, had already announced he would step down at the end of the 2025 campaign. His tenure has been marked by consistency and competitiveness, with LAFC currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference and still very much in the hunt for the conference title. The timing of Martino’s arrival couldn’t be better, as the club looks to build on its solid foundation and push for even greater heights.
For LAFC supporters, the potential for Martino to square off against his old club, Inter Miami, is tantalizing. While the two teams play in separate conferences, the structure of MLS means they could cross paths in the regular season or, even more dramatically, in the playoffs. Imagine the storylines: Martino returning to Chase Stadium, this time in black and gold, facing the team he helped turn into a contender. The anticipation is already building, and the league’s calendar makers may have a blockbuster on their hands.
As for Inter Miami, the focus remains on the present. With the playoffs looming and a crucial matchup against Atlanta United on the horizon, Mascherano’s squad is determined to maintain their momentum. The team’s comeback win over the Revolution showcased their resilience, but consistency will be key if they hope to make a deep postseason run. The shadow of Martino’s legacy still lingers, but Miami’s new era is taking shape under Mascherano’s guidance.
Back in Los Angeles, the blend of on-field ambition and off-field innovation is setting a new standard. The Celebrity Dashcam activation was a reminder that LAFC is as much about entertainment and community as it is about results. By bringing Carlos Vela back into the spotlight, even if just for a halftime skit, the club tapped into its history and its future—a future that now looks even brighter with Martino’s impending arrival.
As the regular season races toward its conclusion, all eyes are on LAFC. Can they capitalize on their fourth-place standing and make a run for the Western Conference crown? Will the arrival of Tata Martino next year usher in a new era of dominance? And just how many more surprises do the Black and Gold have in store for their fans?
For now, one thing is certain: LAFC is a club that thrives on big moments, bold moves, and a flair for the unexpected. Whether it’s halftime hijinks or headline-grabbing hires, they know how to keep the soccer world watching—and waiting for what’s next.
