Carlos Vela came into MLS this season and just stomped all over everyone, scoring 36 goals and notching 11 assists in just 33 games and helping guide LAFC to league dominance in its inaugural season.

Vela was deservedly named the 2019 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player. this week, beating out his crosstown rival Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the honor in a landslide victory. Vela captured 80% of the player vote, 65% of the club vote, and 64% of the media vote to win the award. Ibra came in second, with Josef Martinez, Maxi Moralez, and Heber closing out the top five in voting.

On Monday, Vela spoke with FTW about his season, what he sees as working/not working in MLS, and his future with the Mexico national team.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

FTW: This season, LAFC got off to a really quick start with a new team, and I’m curious: What do you attribute that rapid success to? Coach? System? Players?

Carlos Vela: Well, I think the most important thing was that we have a really cool group. We knew we were going in the same direction. We always try to help each other. We’re making something special, and when everything is nice, and in a good flow, the results come easily.

We have to keep that going now, keep helping each other, keep working every day to build something special. We need to win a championship, which is the most important thing for a club.

FTW: It was a disappointing end to the season . Are you frustrated by the single elimination format?

CV: It’s the same format for everybody. But of course I’m disappointed because we didn’t win the championship. We have to change. We have to learn how to play that kind of game. It doesn’t matter what you do all year, because in the playoffs, every single game you have to win like a final.

FTW: Do you still judge this season a success?

CV: Yeah, of course. We did great things. We broke a lot of records. But in the end, if you miss the biggest trophy, you feel like something is not full. That’s why we’re hungry for next year. We need to work harder to finish the job. We have a lot of things going for us, but we need more.

FTW: Some of the bigger stars in this league have used their platforms this year to speak out about issues they see in American soccer and MLS. Charter planes for travel, salary levels, etc. Do you feel as one of the stars of this league that it’s your responsibility to speak out on issues?

CV: Yeah, sure. When you are doing something good, you have to help everything. We are trying to be better every year. Not only me and the team, but the league, the country … we are building something special in this sport.

FTW: Is there anything specific that you feel MLS needs to improve on?

CV: There’s a lot. It’s a new league, they have to be better in some decisions, especially with how the travel is. This is a big country. It’s hard on the players. We have to find the balance for a good schedule for the players, a good schedule for the league, for TV, we have to find the balance.

And we need to listen to players if things are going to improve. We know what we need to be better, to showcase a better game. If they listen to us, this will be a better league … but they are doing a really good job.

FTW: Let’s pivot a little bit. When you see the way Mexico is playing under Tata Martino, is there a part of you that wants to be a part of it?

CV: I like the way they are playing. I like the way Tata is coaching. But at this moment I am more focused on my family, on being in LA, trying to build something in my life, on my future.

Sometimes in life, you make decisions for yourself, and you don’t think about what happened, or what people will think about that decision.

FTW: So your social media post saying “Gracia,” that wasn’t you saying goodbye to Los Angeles? You scared some people on Twitter with that.

CV: No, no. Just saying thank you for the season. I will be here next year, and I hope we can win the championship.