MLS will have three representatives in the FIFA tournament, which will be played in 11 US cities; In addition to LAFC, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, and Seattle Sounders participate
With a turn in extension, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) won the 2-1 on Saturday (31) and secured the last place in Group D, next to. The game, played against 20,000 fans at BMO Stadium, was tense and high. The Mexican team, which had ample support from the fans, suffered their second consecutive defeat after losing the CLAUSURA 2025 tournament final to the Toluca.
America, led by Brazilian coach André Jardine, opened the scoring 19 minutes into the second half, with a penalty converted by Uruguayan Brian Rodríguez, former LAFC player. The penalty was marked after lack of Mark Delgado in Erick Sánchez in the area. The LAFC reacted in the final minutes of the regular time, with a head of Brazilian Igor Jesus on 44 minutes, after a corner kick charged by the gabonese Denis Bouanga.
In extension, with five minutes to the end, Bouanga, elected best player of the match, scored the goal of victory. Following a release from Frankie Amaya to Olivier Giroud, he advanced and finished hard, diverting the ball that deceived goalkeeper Luis Malagón. Born in France and Gabon’s player, Bouanga has scored his 80th goal for LAFC since he arrived in 2022, but none as important as this one.
Both America and LAFC had a chance to compete for the Club World Cup recap after León’s exclusion from FIFA. The club was vetoed for being controlled by the Pachuca group, which also manages Pachuca, participant in the World Cup. LAFC entered the recap for being runner-up of the Concacaf 2023 Champions League behind León. America participated for being the best classified team in the Confederation ranking. In addition to the vacancy, there was a prize of $ 9.55 million for each participant.
With the LAFC classification, Major League Soccer (MLS) will have three representatives in the World Cup, which will be played in 11 US cities, between June 14 and July 13. In addition to Los Angeles, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders participate. Mexico will have only Monterrey and Pachuca as representatives. LAFC, with the French Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris – world champions in 2018 for France – is in Group D, alongside Flamengo, Chelsea and Sperance (Tunisia).
*With information from AFP
Posted by Felipe Cerqueira
