LOS ANGELES -- Ever since Mexico lifted the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, people have compared Giovanni dos Santos and Carlos Vela, the attacking artists behind that success.
“I think we are similar,” Vela told reporters Thursday. “But not the same.”
In that tournament, Gio won the Silver Ball (the runner-up prize for player of the tournament) and Vela won the Golden Boot (top scorer). Ever since then, whenever they’ve been included in La Selección Mexicana, pundits have jostled the two players in potential starting XIs — especially during World Cup years.
“We play in similar positions, but the style is different,” Vela clarified. “He’s more of a passing guy. He’s really clever with the ball and with the spaces he can make.”
Carlos Vela, far left, and Giovani dos Santos, second from left, playing together for Mexico's U-20 side during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup | Reuters
Signed ahead of the 2015 season, the talisman was recently voted the most overrated player in the league in an annual poll conducted by ESPN, and has yet to find his top form since his move to the LA Galaxy, perhaps partly because he was expected to be more of an out-and-out scorer.
But since Vela arrived in MLS, he has embraced some of the creative traits of his Mexican counterpart. Vela twice set up teammate Diego Rossi for goals before scoring his first MLS goal in the waning moments of LAFC’s drubbing of Real Salt Lake back on March 10.
When comparing the stats for El Tri, Vela’s analysis of the duo's differences stands. Each has scored 18 goals for their country though Vela has hit that mark in several dozen fewer appearances. It’s a similar story at club level, where the two have faced off during their lengthy stints in Spain’s La Liga.
During a Copa del Rey fixture in 2015, Vela and Gio each scored for their respective squads (Real Soceidad and Villareal) in a 2-2 draw.
In Vela’s eyes, the duo’s differences only make them more compatible as teammates.
“I think we can play together and we play really good together,” Vela said. “That’s the point.”
Born just two months apart, Vela and Gio have become good friends since their early national team success, and each has voiced eagerness to play against the other in MLS since Vela joined the league last August.
They may get the chance on Saturday in the first ever Battle of Los Angeles (3 pm ET | FOX, TVAS2 - Full TV & Streaming Info), but some lingering injury concerns remain over whether Gio (and his brother Jonathan) will be able to participate after sustaining hamstring strains before the international break.
For Vela, Saturday is less about Russia 2018 or facing off against Gio, and more about the gravity of the contest itself.
“This match is real special for the team, for the city, for the fans," he said. "I think it’s a good moment to show what we are doing, the way we are working, I think it’s very important for us to play well.”
In defeating two opponents on the road to open their season, LAFC has been doing just that.
“It’s an important day and I hope we play as well the first two games,” Vela said. “It’s the first derby and we want to win.”
