LOS ANGELES — In the second year, the first trophy was won.

Los Angeles Football Club locked up Major League Soccer’s Supporter’s Shield, the first major trophy in the franchise’s short history, after a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Goals by Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Eduard Atuesta fueled LAFC past a Tyler Miller own goal in the first half and into the MLS history books.

The victory was LAFC’s first in more than a month, snapping a five-match winless streak. During that stretch, LAFC (20-4-8, 68 points) struggled to maintain the dynamic possession-based style of play that has dominated the league in 2019, but the team played like it was on a mission from the opening whistle on Wednesday night.

“It feels surreal. We’ve done amazing things, we’ve had a great year. You get this silverware, and this trophy solidifies that,” midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye said. “We know there is more work to be done, but right now we need to enjoy this moment.”

Carlos Vela played his strongest match since returning from his hamstring injury. The LAFC captain opened the scoring in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot after a foul in the box on Brian Rodriguez, but Vela was also a consistent part of LAFC’s attacking build-up and won the ball back for his team on several occasions throughout both halves.

Vela’s league-leading 30th goal of the 2019 season leaves him one short of tying Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez’s MLS single-season record with two matches left in the regular season. Wednesday’s goal made him the first player in league history with 30 goals and 15 assists in a single season.

Five minutes after Vela gave LAFC a 1-0 lead, a Houston Dynamo corner kick led to an own goal by Miller that leveled the score. The ball was swung into the box and bounced around in the penalty area, deflecting off of Miller and into the net before LAFC’s defense was able to properly clear it.

LAFC’s intensity didn’t waiver after losing the lead. The team mounted several attacks led by Vela throughout the rest of the first half and into the second, regaining the lead in the 70th minute when Diego Rossi headed home a ball that caromed off the crossbar.

“We didn’t change our strategy (at halftime). We had to sharpen up certain things. There are still moments when we are anxious, that’s nothing new. Trying the hardest pass at the wrong time …,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said. “I reminded them that we can raise the level. As the second half went on, we did that.”

LAFC’s midfield bounced back from a difficult weekend performance against Toronto with excellent play, capped in the 80th minute with a free kick goal by Atuesta from the left corner of the 18-yard box. LAFC held Houston (11-17-4, 37 points) scoreless after the own goal to secure its first trophy before celebrating the Supporters’ Shield in a postgame ceremony with its fans.

“The first trophy for this club. It’s a proud moment for all of us. Very special that we could do it here,” Bradley said. “This club, which is playing in its second year, has a real connection with its supporters.”

LAFC hopes the trophy is the first of many for the Banc of California Stadium trophy case.