LAFC vs Club America
Photography by: Jordy Marsono
On a night when history and heartbreak hung in the air, LAFC delivered a script only Hollywood could dream up, defeating Mexican powerhouse Club América 2-1 in a dramatic play-in match at BMO Stadium. With this victory, the Black & Gold claimed the final spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Trailing 1-0 late in the match, LAFC looked poised for elimination. Club América, buoyed by a raucous crowd that often outshouted the home supporters, had taken the lead in the 64th minute when former LAFC winger Brian Rodríguez converted a penalty kick after a VAR-reviewed foul by Mark Delgado. It was a cruel twist of fate for Delgado, whose misjudged challenge gifted his team’s Liga MX rivals the lead.
But this was no ordinary night, and LAFC is no ordinary team.
Head coach Steve Cherundolo’s men fought back with unrelenting belief. Substitute Olivier Giroud and winger Denis Bouanga spearheaded a late onslaught, forcing a series of saves from América goalkeeper Luis Malagón. Then, in the 89th minute, LAFC found their lifeline. Bouanga’s perfectly delivered corner kick met the head of Brazilian midfielder Igor Jesus, who nodded the ball into the net for his first goal in LAFC colors. BMO Stadium erupted as the equalizer sent the game into extra time.
The momentum shifted fully in LAFC’s favor, but América didn’t go quietly. In the 111th minute, Hugo Lloris, LAFC’s veteran goalkeeper, made a crucial save on a near-post effort from Javairô Dilrosun, keeping the match level. Four minutes later, the decisive moment arrived.
Bouanga, already a hero for his assist on the equalizer, turned match-winner with a deflected strike from the edge of the penalty area. The ball sailed past Malagón and into the net, igniting pandemonium in the stands. With his 80th goal for LAFC, Bouanga etched his name into club lore and secured his team’s passage to the Club World Cup.
“This was probably our best performance of the season,” Cherundolo said. “To go down, come back, and manage the game like we did—it shows the incredible character of this group.”
The victory is a monumental moment for both LAFC and Major League Soccer. The Black & Gold join Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders as MLS representatives in the expanded Club World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States this summer. The tournament guarantees $9.55 million in prize money for participants, with the potential for far greater rewards.
Placed in Group D, LAFC will face Premier League giants Chelsea, Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo, and Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Their first match is set for June 16 in Atlanta.
For LAFC, this isn’t just about representing MLS—it’s about proving that they belong among the world’s elite. With a roster featuring global stars like Bouanga, Giroud, and Lloris, and buoyed by their never-say-die attitude, the team has the tools to make a statement.
As the lights dimmed at BMO Stadium and the cheers subsided, one thing was clear: LAFC had earned their place on the world stage. Now, the eyes of global soccer turn to them. Can the Black & Gold take the next step and shine under the brightest lights?
