Gareth Bale (L) in action against Croatia (Getty Images)
It was one of the most exciting deals that Major League Soccer has ever seen. The division has often welcomed world class overseas players into its ranks, but Los Angeles FC’s acquisition of Gareth Bale made headlines all over the globe.
He’s one of the most decorated players in the sport, having won multiple league titles and Champions League trophies with Real Madrid. Bale had been widely linked with a move back to England, but LAFC will now enjoy his services as the 2022 MLS season progresses.
Gareth Bale was eager to get some game time under his belt ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. His Welsh side are making a rare appearance at a major tournament and they naturally want their best player to be a part of it.
This is one of the reasons why Bale has signed on a relatively short term contract with Los Angeles. The deal is initially for 12 months with an option to extend through to 2024.
This season will be crucial in terms of what happens next. Bale’s injury record isn’t the best and he will need to be used carefully by head coach Steve Cherundolo. The player won’t want to risk fitness issues ahead of the World Cup, so this season represents a delicate balance.
If he returns from Qatar in good shape, LA fans may well see the best of Gareth Bale through 2023 and 2024.
Gareth Bale has his international aims but he will certainly want to be part of a successful Los Angeles side. Following their first 20 games of the 2022 MLS season, LAFC head the Western Conference and are cruising towards a playoff spot.
The ultimate goal is to win the MLS Cup but is that a realistic target? According to the latest betting odds, LAFC are the clear favorites to win the trophy while their closest challenges are expected to come from Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.
Those odds are supplied by the top betting sites in Qatar as sourced by ArabianBetting.com. Soccer is popular in Qatar in the lead up to the 2022 World Cup, but those figures are replicated across the globe.
There are fixtures still to play in this campaign and those odds will be subject to change. As the updates come in, ArabianBetting will publish new prices on their site and readers can take time to assess them.
Sportsbook reviews will also appear and if anyone is interested in staking on the World Cup it is possible to do so. Each sports betting site is open to new customers provided that online betting is permissible in their state.
Subject to those eligibility criteria, a quick and secure registration process can lead to a generous welcome promotion. A varied set of funding methods can get the account up and running while customer services can assist if there are any issues.
Once playing as a regular customer, there are other benefits to look forward to. Mobile betting via an app, in-play markets, other sports and extra promotions should be on offer.
It’s the site to follow for MLS betting but will the arrival of Gareth Bale help to take LAFC to MLS Cup glory?
Much will depend on the months leading up to the 2022 World Cup. If Gareth Bale can stay fit and be productive during his initial spell at the Bank of California Stadium, he may want to remain with LAFC and extend that contract through to 2023 and beyond.
While he has endured those injury problems, he is still only 33 years of age and should have another two to three seasons at the top. Bale impressed everyone on his debut and, while it’s still early, the signs are encouraging.
Before he moved to MLS, Gareth Bale had been linked with an emotional switch to hometown club Cardiff City. It’s not impossible to imagine a scenario where he ends his career in his native Wales.
For now, Bale is an LAFC player and fans will hope that they get to see the best of him during the remaining weeks of the 2022 season.