Los Angeles FC has secured a place in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Mexican side Club America 2-1 in extra time. Denis Bouanga scored the decisive goal in front of the home crowd.
After Brian Rodriguez initially put Club America ahead with a penalty, Igor Jesus equalized for LAFC with a powerful header from a corner kick in the 89th minute, forcing the match into extra time. Bouanga then found the net, guiding the Black and Gold to victory. LAFC will join fellow MLS teams Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami as representatives in the expanded Club World Cup. This significant win not only earns LAFC nearly $10 million in prize money but also offers an opportunity to earn more based on their performance in the tournament.
LAFC is set to compete in Group D, where they will face formidable opponents including Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
The match, played in Los Angeles before a crowd largely favoring Club America, was a cautious encounter, particularly in the first half. With a coveted Club World Cup spot at stake, both teams battled fiercely in the midfield, effectively neutralizing each other`s attacks. The second half saw teams attempting adjustments, but a single mistake from LAFC`s Marco Delgado seemed poised to hand the victory to America.
Delgado conceded a penalty just inside the box by fouling America`s captain, Erick Sanchez. Club America converted the spot-kick. LAFC responded by introducing more attacking players to increase the tempo. Their offensive push paid off handsomely in the 89th minute when their key player, Denis Bouanga, delivered a corner kick that Igor Jesus headed in for the crucial equalizer, sending the game to extra time.
Carrying their attacking momentum into extra time, LAFC continued to press, dominating scoring opportunities. They significantly outshot Club America 19 to nine, with eight shots on target, and were the only team to score from open play during the match.
LAFC is participating in the tournament in place of Club Leon, who were removed due to regulations regarding multi-club ownership. The Club World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 14, with LAFC`s first match against Chelsea on June 16. Preparation will need to start immediately. A special transfer window will be open from June 1 to June 10, allowing participating teams to bolster their squads. However, due to Major League Soccer`s roster constraints, LAFC may not be able to make as many additions as some of their international competitors.
Despite the short preparation time and roster limitations, this qualification marks a groundbreaking moment for LAFC, a club established only in 2018. It provides an unparalleled opportunity for them to compete against historic clubs like Chelsea and showcase their talent on the global stage alongside the 32 other teams participating this summer.
Dominic Ashworth