Los Angeles – LAFC is headed to the Club World Cup, while Club America is heading home.
Just days after a disappointing end to the La Liga MX Finals, América faced another setback on unfamiliar ground. Supported by a strong fan presence at the packed BMO Stadium, Club América challenged LAFC fiercely but were ultimately undone by a deflected shot from Dennis Buanga, which broke a 115-minute stalemate on the MLS side.
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In a high-stakes play-in match for Leon’s vacant Club World Cup slots on Saturday, LAFC narrowly defeated América 2-1, marking MLS’s third representation in the expanded global tournament.
“This could be likened to a preliminary for the (Concacaf) Champions Cup or Champions League. It was called Club Leon,” said LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo regarding their playoff entry. “We effectively capitalized on this second chance to reach the Club World Cup.”
The game’s initial threat came in the 18th minute after Sebastian Caceres’s reckless tackle on Mark Delgado earned him a yellow card. Following a medical timeout for Delgado, a free kick led to Nathan Ordaz attempting a shot that went wide of the goal.
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After a lackluster first half, things picked up in the 63rd minute when Eric Sanchez’s foul on Delgado resulted in a penalty for América. Brian Rodriguez converted, putting América ahead 1-0 after four seasons with LAFC.
Losing their grip on the match, América seemed poised for victory until, in the 89th minute, LAFC equalized through Igor Jesus’s header from a Boanga corner kick.
After a tense 7-minute stoppage, extra time was added to determine the winner. In the 115th minute, Buanga secured the win, sending LAFC to the Club World Cup as MLS’s third participant.
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“Making it to the Club World Cup elevates our club beyond many in MLS,” Cherundolo remarked. “It also enhances the league’s reputation on a global stage, marking a significant milestone for the sport in our country and all involved in our league.”
LAFC Set to Showcase MLS on the World Stage
As the third MLS team in the Club World Cup, LAFC will serve as a strong representative.
Since its establishment in 2018, LAFC has exemplified the ideal MLS club.
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Contrarily, neither of the other two MLS representatives provide a meaningful barometer. Inter Miami, buoyed by Lionel Messi, has shown little consistency and doesn’t gauge the league effectively. Similarly, the Seattle Sounders face daunting opponents like PSG and Atletico Madrid, diminishing their visibility as MLS representatives.
In contrast, LAFC’s group features Chelsea (England), Flamengo (Brazil), and Esperance Tunis (Tunisia) in Group D. A challenging task awaits, but their performance will offer insights into how MLS compares globally.
LAFC’s Upcoming Club World Cup Matches
LAFC’s tournament kicks off against Chelsea at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 16.
They’ll then face Esperance Tunis in Nashville on June 20, followed by a match against Flamengo on June 24 in Orlando.
The tournament, featuring 32 teams, begins June 14 in Miami Gardens, Florida, with Inter Miami going up against Egypt’s Al Ahly.
This news is significant for soccer fans as it not only highlights MLS’s increasing competitiveness on the global stage, but it can also inspire greater interest and investment in the league. LAFC’s participation in the Club World Cup could serve as a turning point, demonstrating that American clubs can hang with football’s elite.
