A Big Question:Who is Andre Horta?
Horta had a pretty good rep in Portugal, and was that league's Midfielder of the Month in the run-up to his LAFC transfer. He's just 22, and he's played for the Portuguese national team at the youth levels, and he was expected to be a big part of the Black-and-Gold's playoff push.
It didn't work out that way. LAFC spent a lot of money (around $7 million) for a guy who couldn't break into the rotation – and who quite frankly looked out of his depth in the few minutes he did get on the field. Whether it was needless turnovers or overhit passes or lost duels or a near complete disinterest in the defensive side of the game... Horta was not great:
Welcome to MLS.
In 2018 LAFC had the depth and quality to cover for Horta's slow integration. In 2019 they are thinner in terms of proven central midfielders, and that means Horta has to deliver at least a little bit.
If he doesn't, Bob Bradley will have to pull another Mark-Anthony Kaye-style rabbit out of his hat.
