Cristian “Chicho” Arango’s journey to MLS stardom is the stuff of sports movies. Born in Medellín, Colombia, Arango began his career far from the spotlight. In his early years, he struggled financially and even worked delivering pizzas to make ends meet. His determination and talent eventually earned him a chance in Colombia’s top division, then stints in Portugal and Mexico.
But it wasn’t until his arrival in Los Angeles FC in August 2021 that Arango’s name began to turn heads in North America. He exploded onto the scene with 14 goals in just 17 appearances, earning the 2021 MLS Newcomer of the Year award.
In 2023, Arango returned to MLS via Real Salt Lake, and in 2024, he’s emerged as one of the league’s top scorers again — even challenging for the Golden Boot. His incredible resilience and red-hot form prove that sometimes the most unlikely paths lead to greatness.
