In December of 2017, Diego Rossi signed with LAFC as a Young DP. The Uruguayan winger was set to join the club prior to their inaugural MLS season. He arrived for a reported fee of just under $3m from Penarol. The signing paid off eleven minutes into their existence. Diego Rossi is forever etched into club history as the first ever goal scorer, smashing one in from deep against Seattle. In match two against Real Salt Lake, Rossi slid one in within the opening 30 minutes. He later beat Nick Rimando again to make it a brace, and 3 goals in the first 2 games.
In April, Rossi megged the keeper to score the match-winner in Vancouver. LAFC was set to open their brand new Banc of California Stadium later in the month. He did not score during the initial four-game home stand, but his first goal there did come in May. He pounced on a chance, placing it into the right side of DC United's net. In July, Rossi scored a tap in against Orlando City. LAFC was off to a flying start in their first season. He scored a hat trick against the Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup Semis, though they lost in penalties. Near the end of the regular season, Rossi scored his first multi-goal game against Vancouver, scoring a nice link up play with Carlos Vela, then forcing one in at the back post. LAFC finished in third place in the West. They were upset at home in the first round, losing 3-2 to Real Salt Lake. Rossi scored 12 times, assisting his MLS career-high of 9.
In 2019, Diego Rossi only improved upon his magical 2018 campaign. In the very first match, he cut inside and curled a shot to the back post. He scored 3 goals in the first 5 matches, prior to his first MLS hat trick against DC United. Rossi crashed the box for the first of the three, curled the second one beautifully on the first time, then finished it off by slipping a shot under Bill Hamid. After the hat trick, Rossi went on a long stretch without scoring, but picked it back up again in the summer. He scored during a chaotic 4-3 victory against Atlanta United. He was then named a 2019 MLS All-Star, playing 29 minutes in the 3-0 loss to Atletico Madrid. In the following match, Rossi lobbed Matt Turner at Gillette Stadium. LAFC won the Supporters' Shield with 72 points, at the time a record number of points. In the first game of the postseason, it was an El Trafico matchup with LA Galaxy. In an absolute instant classic, Rossi scored during the 5-3 victory. They lost to Seattle in the Western Conference Finals, the eventual champions.
After the disappointing playoff exit of the previous season, Diego Rossi came out firing again. In 2019, he scored a career-high of 16 goals, adding 7 assists. In 2020, he had one of the best seasons out of anyone in the league, battling for the MVP trophy. Rossi scored once in the CCL against Leon, then notched one MLS goal prior to the pandemic shutdown. Upon the return of the league, he had no remorse. In the very first match back, he helped mount a comeback from 3-1 down versus Houston with a wonderful strike into the upper 90. In the following match, against LA Galaxy, Rossi scored a whopping four times at the MLS is Back Tournament. The first goal was a penalty, the second a rebound on a Bradley Wright-Phillips shot. It was 2-2 at halftime, LAFC was down both 1-0 and 2-1. In the second half, Rossi made it a hat trick, then he tapped one more in during the dying moments, 6-2.
In the Round of 16 of the tournament, Rossi scored a penalty and powerful low shot for a brace to beat Seattle. He could not be stopped, as he scored another brace against San Jose after returning to regular season play. In the final nine matches of the campaign, Rossi added an additional 5 goals to his total. He ended up with 14 goals during the shortened season. This won him the 2020 MLS Golden Boot. Additionally, he won the Boot at the MLS is Back Tournament, while also being named the Young Player of the Tournament, as well as a member of the tourney's Best XI. He was forced to miss the playoff game against Seattle after contracting Covid, and his team lost 3-1. He was named the 2020 MLS Young Player of the Year, and to the 2020 Best XI. The third Best XI he made in 2020 was for the CONCACAF Champions League. For his performances in that season, he also won the 2021 ESPY Award for Best MLS Player.
After a blazing three seasons for LAFC in MLS, Rossi played his final half season for the black and gold in 2021. In the second match of the season, he scored another El Trafico goal. He then proceeded to score a brace against the Colorado Rapids. After providing 6 goals and 1 assist, Rossi was named an MLS All-Star for the second time. He played one half in the penalty kick victory against Liga MX. His final ever match for LAFC was a 3-3 draw against LA Galaxy on August 28, 2021. Rossi was 24 years of age when he left MLS for Turkish side Fenerbahce, initially on a loan, then a permanent transfer that saw a fee of around $10m for the full package. Rossi made 33 appearances In Turkey, scoring 4 goals. He decided it was time to return to the league in which he had so much success.
On August 2, 2023, just after the shock sale of Lucas Zelarayan, the Columbus Crew signed Diego Rossi. The fee was around $5.5m. He debuted later in August, a 23 substitute appearance against FC Cincinnati. He made his first start for the club on August 26th, the date in which he also scored against Toronto FC for his first Crew goal. Just over 20 minutes in, Columbus' new No. 10 put a rebound home. Rossi scored his second in Orlando with a calm finish, adding an assist as well. His most recent goal took place at Gillette Stadium, where he opened his hips and curled one past Earl Edwards Jr. during the Crew's 2-1 win. This was the first loss New England suffered at home all season long. Rossi has registered 3 goals and 3 assists so far in his very limited 771 minutes.
Diego Rossi will forever be one of LAFC's most iconic players, as he and Carlos Vela kickstarted the club in a big way. Unfortunately for him, LAFC won MLS Cup once he decided to leave. He returned to MLS, and is now searching for the trophy with his new team. Columbus is undoubtedly a contender with the incredible pieces they have. The Cucho and Rossi linkup has playoff run potential. For Rossi's incredible opening seasons in Major League Soccer, and his pure goal scoring consistency, he comes in at #57, and will only keep showcasing his talents now with the Crew.
CLUB | YEAR | MINUTES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
CLB | 2023 | 771* | 3* | 3* |
LAFC | 2021 | 1,655 | 6 | 1 |
LAFC | 2020 | 1,698 | 14 | 4 |
LAFC | 2019 | 2,899 | 16 | 7 |
LAFC | 2018 | 2,604 | 12 | 9 |
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