by BILL REESE

Is the imminent MLS expansion side Los Angeles FC adding some character to their nondescript moniker?

Empire of Soccer has discovered that Major League Soccer has trademarked the terms “LAFC Wings” and “The Wings,” both featuring the side’s art deco angel wing logo above the trademark name.

The trademark was filed last week on March 17th. While many sports leagues don’t file their trademarks until days—if not hours before their announcements go public—Major League Soccer has had a pattern of filing their trademarks weeks, if not months before formal announcements are made.

Just last month, MLS filed trademarks for “Minnesota FC” and “MNFC” just a day after a Brian Straus SI report on how Minnesota United FC of the NASL would be forced to drop “United” upon their entry into MLS at the request of Atlanta United FC owner Arthur Blank.

It’s doubtful that LAFC will re-brand themselves as LAFC Wings. More than likely, the team is attempting to establish their own nickname while simultaneously preventing unauthorized retailers from profiting off the nickname. If fans are going to call LAFC “The Wings,” the club may as well own rights to that name.

This reporter hopes that LAFC wishes to attract legendary Beatle and Wings frontman Paul McCartney to join the laundry list of celebrity co-owners at the club.