Where the universe leads, Nkosi Tafari aims to follow.
“I know the universe has a plan and I’m here to just sorta see that out in any way, shape or form,” the 28-year-old LAFC center back said Friday. “Just letting things unfold, you know?”
One year ago, suiting up for LAFC wasn’t something the 6-foot-4 FC Dallas product ever contemplated. Then in January, LAFC exchanged $300,000 in 2026 general allocation money plus an international roster slot for the same year to acquire a center back who LAFC general manager John Thorrington lauded as a “player of great promise,” one capable of fulfilling his potential with the club.
As preseason wrapped and the season opener was on deck, the difference between Dallas and the place the universe sent him to this time was clearly defined in Tafari’s mind.
“There were certain moments in Dallas where the environment in training wasn’t what it could be to where things start to diminish and you don’t reach what you’re trying to reach,” the New York City native said on Feb. 15. “Here, it’s more like a ‘kill or be killed’ type of thing. If you really want to reach what you’re trying to get to, you can go grab it but if not then you might just fall amongst the shuffle.”
In his perfect world coming out of a hopeful preseason, Tafari, which translates to “he who inspires awe” in Amharic, spoke about wanting to stay healthy and play every game.
Five months and 28 matches later, it hasn’t fully worked out that way.
Tafari remains fit, however playing time has been tough to come by behind Aaron Long, Eddie Segura and Marlon Santos.
With Marlon’s departure at the end of June, an ongoing fixture crunch and an unclear timetable for Maxime Chanot’s return from concussion concerns, the door appears ajar for Tafari to receive his first starting assignment since April 5 on Saturday night when LAFC (8-5-5, 26 points) hosts Dallas (5-9-6, 21 points) at BMO Stadium.
After doing that in five of the first dozen LAFC matches this year, Tafari played a total of 28 minutes in the past 15 games, including a stretch of 10 straight without leaving the bench. The bulk of that time (26 minutes) came Wednesday night in a 3-0 victory over Colorado.
If the universe, via LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, inserts Tafari into the starting lineup against Dallas, it will come against an opponent he made 107 regular-season appearances for, including 84 starts, totaling 7,885 minutes after being selected 14th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
“I don’t make any of the decisions based on playing time, but I still have a mandate to conduct myself in the highest manner,” Tafari said. “I just go about doing that on an everyday basis. If I can push myself to try and get better everyday then that means the lads in front of me are getting better everyday. And they know what it is. This is a high efficient club where competition is essentially the cause of what makes us better. Whether I’m in or I’m out, I’ll be ready. And I still enjoy training as much as anything else. It’s just a part of the process.”
Utilizing a mobile, aggressive backline that likes to play higher up the field, center backs in LAFC’s game model must slide through laterally more than vertically, which is one tactical adjustment Tafari worked on in recent months.
“He’s done fine,” Cherundolo said. “I just think he has two really good center backs ahead of him. That’s it. There’s no reason to overcomplicate it. Nkosi is a wonderful teammate and human being around the training facility and locker room. He’s a pleasure to coach. I feel he’s still improving. That’s the reality of playing for LAFC sometimes. There’s a lot of good players on the roster.”
FC DALLAS AT LAFC
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: BMO Stadium
TV/Radio: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV/710 AM, 980 AM
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