LAFC returns to Banc of California Stadium for the first time in 2019 when it plays host to Japan’s Vissel Kobe in a friendly Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Vissel opened its winter tour of Southern California on Tuesday by playing the Columbus Crew to a scoreless tie in an abbreviated scrimmage in Irvine.

Vissel’s three World Cup champions — Andres Iniesta and David Villa of Spain, and Lukas Podolski of Germany — played limited minutes. They are scheduled to play Thursday.

LAFC opened its exhibition schedule with a 3-1 victory over Toronto on Sunday. Carlos Vela, who will stay with LAFC now that rumors of a loan to Barcelona have faded, set up goals by Andre Horta and Diego Rossi, and Peter-Lee Vassell accounted for the third score.


Coach Bob Bradley used 24 players in that closed-door scrimmage and is expected to clear the bench again Thursday.

On Wednesday, LAFC finalized the signing of Salvadoran forward Rodolfo “Fito” Zelaya, 30. The second-leading scorer in national team history with 21 goals in 44 games, Zelaya was given a one-year ban by FIFA in 2013 for his involvement in a game-fixing scandal.

Sign up for our daily sports newsletter »

kevin.baxter@latimes.com | Twitter: @kbaxter11