Whoever replaces Steve Cherundolo as head coach of the Los Angeles Football Club next season will get to work with a group of players who understand and appreciate one another.
Following consecutive offseasons that featured significant roster turnover, the 2026 team (and beyond) should look a lot like it does heading into the start of the MLS Cup playoffs on Wednesday.
A key member of the group that lifted an MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup since 2022, defender Ryan Hollingshead will remain with LAFC through 2027, the club announced Friday.
“We’re thrilled to have come to terms with Ryan on another extension,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a statement. “Ryan is a valued veteran and fully earned this extension through his consistency and team-first attitude. He leads by example, raises the standard every day, and delivers in big moments.”
Opting against exercising his impending free agency, Hollingshead’s second new contract with LAFC represents the club’s fourth contract extension since mid-September.
The 34-year-old native of Granite Bay, Calif., a UCLA Bruin from 2009-2012, joins Sergi Palencia, Timothy Tillman and Nathan Ordaz among the players who recently agreed to stay with the Black & Gold for the foreseeable future.
One of the league’s top scorers along the back line, Hollingshead is tied for the second-most goals by a defensive player in MLS history (31) and leads all active defenders. He added a pair to his tally during the 2025 regular season to go with three assists in 31 appearances, giving him four straight years with 30 or more MLS games and at least 22 starts. In all competitions through 173 games with LAFC, Hollingshead has 20 goals and 13 assists.
A nominee for the 2025 Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, Hollingshead was named MLS Works Humanitarian of the Year in 2017 with FC Dallas, where he played eight seasons before being traded to LAFC.
“Our locker rooms for four straight years have just been unbeatable,” Hollingshead said in August. “The way the group competes together, the way the group fights for each other, it’s been something really special. I’m just grateful to be a part of it. You know in this sport and sports in general that this doesn’t last forever.”