Los Angeles FC is set to face Club America on Saturday in a high-stakes playoff match, with the winner securing a coveted spot in the FIFA Club World Cup. This single-match decider for the final position in Group D (alongside Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance Sportive de Tunis) was organized by FIFA after Club Leon was disqualified due to regulations concerning multi-club ownership.
LAFC earned their place in this playoff as the runner-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup (finishing behind Leon), while Club America was chosen based on their status as the highest-ranked team in FIFA`s Club World Cup confederation rankings. The atmosphere at BMO Stadium is anticipated to be intense, with a sold-out crowd providing robust support for the home team. Currently, two MLS teams (Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders) and two Liga MX teams (Monterrey and CF Pachuca) have already qualified for the tournament. This crucial playoff will determine which league will have a third representative.
Last Meeting
These two sides last met in a preseason friendly in February, with LAFC emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. LAFC`s key forward, Denis Bouanga, was on the scoresheet in that match, highlighting his importance for their Club World Cup ambitions. Although a friendly, Club America did field their primary squad. Historically, LAFC has performed favorably against Liga MX opposition, holding a record of five wins, five draws, and one loss. Notably, they also defeated Club America 3-1 in the 2020 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Predicted Lineups
- LAFC: Hugo Lloris, Ryan Hollingshead, Aaron Long, Eddie Segura, Sergi Palencia, Marco Delgado, Igor Jesus, Frankie Amaya, Denis Bouanga, Oliver Giroud, Nathan Ordaz
- Club America: Luis Malagon, Cristian Borja, Sebastian Caceres, Ramon Juarez, Israel Reyes, Kevin Alvarez, Alvaro Fildalgo, Jonathan Dos Santos, Erick Sanchez, Henry Martin, Alex Zendejas
Player to Watch
The undeniable player to keep an eye on is Denis Bouanga for LAFC. Club America`s tactical focus will likely be on neutralizing him, a formidable challenge given his impressive scoring record of 48 regular season goals in just 84 appearances for LAFC. Bouanga also demonstrates a knack for performing under pressure, with eight goals in 12 playoff matches. Should Club America commit resources to marking him closely, it could inadvertently open up space for other LAFC attackers. Playing in front of their passionate home support will further amplify Bouanga`s central role in this significant confrontation.
Storyline to Watch
A significant underlying narrative is the potential influence of head coach Steve Cherundolo`s announced departure at the end of the season, a development that caused some surprise in MLS circles. LAFC`s recent performances, including a 2-2 draw against CF Montreal, suggest the team isn`t consistently meeting its high expectations, currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference. While scoring hasn`t been an issue, finding defensive balance has proved challenging. They will need defensive resilience against Club America`s potent attack, led by Henry Martin, which has proven capable of troubling top teams in Concacaf. For Cherundolo, who has won MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup titles with LAFC, this match represents one of the most high-stakes games he will oversee, even if tangible silverware isn`t immediately at stake.
Prediction
Denis Bouanga`s anticipated impact is expected to be enough to carry LAFC to victory and secure their spot in the Club World Cup. Club America has experienced a somewhat disappointing season, including a loss in the Liga MX Clausura final, and is predicted not to find redemption in this playoff encounter. Steve Cherundolo is likely to conclude his time in Los Angeles on a positive note by guiding his team to this crucial win.
Predicted Score: LAFC 2, Club America 1
Dominic Ashworth