Vela's 34-goal season in 2019 broke Josef Martinez's record of 31 set the previous year. Vela was virtually unstoppable, combining finishing quality with elite dribbling and vision.
The record may prove difficult to break, as it requires both elite individual quality and a team system that maximizes goal-scoring opportunities. Vela's LAFC was one of the most dominant regular-season teams in MLS history that year.