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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Club World Cup playoff: LAFC bests Club America 2-1 in extra time
Club World Cup playoff: LAFC bests Club America 2-1 in extra time Show Caption Hide Caption Relegation in MLS? Tyler Adams thinks it should be added USMNT and Premiere League player Tyler Adams thinks relegation would make the MLS as a whole more exciting and competitive for the players and fans. Sports Seriously LAFC has secured the last ticket to the big dance, coming back to defeat Club América 2-1 in a Club World Cup playoff that required extra time. Former LAFC attacker Brian Rodríguez had given América a 64th-minute lead from a VAR-assisted penalty kick, and the Liga MX powers seemed to have done just enough to claim a win that will be worth nearly $10 million at a minimum. However, Igor Jesus' 89th-minute header levelled the scores, saving LAFC, and in extra time Denis Bouanga — the club's most important player in recent years — added to his legend by firing home the winner in the 115th minute. The win sends LAFC into the Club World Cup, where they will join English giant Chelsea, Tunisian club Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and Flamengo, arguably the most well-supported club in Brazil. Here are highlights and Pro Soccer Wire's live updates from the Club World Cup playoff between LAFC and Club América: LAFC: Carlos Vela announces retirement 115' Denis Bouanga!!!⚽😱 LAFC are on top with only minutes left in this match LAFC 1-1 Club America Watch the @FIFACWC Play-In match NOW | FREE | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 1, 2025 That's it! It took 120 minutes, but Denis Bouanga's dramatic 115th minute goal has given LAFC a Club World Cup berth thanks to a 2-1 win over Club América. Steve Cherundolo has made his final two substitutions, with Yaw Yeboah and Ryan Raposo replacing David Martínez and Timothy Tillman. Both moves are like-for-like, though in each case you could argue a more defense-first player has been brought on. We're maybe 90 seconds from full time. LAFC has taken the lead here, and who else could it have been but Denis Bouanga? Bouanga started the move as well, but while Frankie Amaya and Olivier Giroud were thinking about a combination pattern, the Gabon winger had only one thought. Bouanga sliced through and fired towards goal, surprising everyone, with a healthy deflection wrong-footing Luis Malagón. Javairô Dilrosun has been a problem for LAFC, and this time the Dutch wingback ghosts in off the flank before firing towards the near post. Hugo Lloris just barely reacts in time to make the stop. A minute or so later, Timothy Tillman is booked for hauling Álvaro Fidalgo down just outside the LAFC box. We're down to 15 minutes here, with LAFC replacing Aaron Long with Marlon after the veteran center back picked up a knock. Club América's switch to a 3-4-3 has bedeviled LAFC to start this extra time, though it hasn't amounted to much in the way of chances. However, it has meant plenty of possession for Las Águilas, and Frankie Amaya picks up a yellow card for a clumsy foul as LAFC tries to cope. We're back underway, with Club América replacing Kevin Álvarez and Cristian Borja with Diego Valdés and Javairô Dilrosun. Igor Jesus' 89th-minute equalizer has saved LAFC, sending this hard-fought Club World Cup playoff to extra time. Club América clearly thought that Brian Rodríguez's 64th-minute penalty kick would do the job, but couldn't fend off one last corner. That leaves an intriguing dynamic in play: LAFC has thrown the kitchen sink out to put more attackers on the field, while Club América's final moves were made to defend deep and kill the game. With 30 more minutes to play, the tactical choices available for both sides are radically different from normal. Cengiz Ünder came on in the 74th minute, but he won't even make it to extra time. The Turkish midfielder, indicating a quadriceps problem, is forced to depart early for LAFC. Frankie Amaya steps on in what is LAFC's final substitution window for the regulation 90 minutes. Meanwhile, LAFC is inches from a winner as Denis Bouanga's shot through traffic is so close to being turned in by any number of flailing now Timothy Tillman's over-hit long ball into the area very nearly floated into the top corner. Luis Malagón ended up producing a brilliant save to keep that from being an unlikely game-winner. The one-game play-in game for the final place at the Club World Cup between LAFC and Club América must determine a winner. If this game is tied after a regulation 90 minutes, there will be the standard two 15-minute halves of extra time, with a penalty-kick tiebreaker to follow if no winner emerges. We have so much to sort through just now, but let's start with the big item: Igor Jesus has equalized in the 89th minute, with his first goal in an LAFC shirt. The Brazilian defensive midfielder won a battle in the goalmouth, powering a header past Luis Malagón. Is there a shove from LAFC elsewhere in the mix? It sure looks like it, and we're in a VAR the goal stands. Meanwhile: Rodrigo Aguirre was booked, and Club América replaced him and Alex Zendejas with Cristian Calderón and Miguel Vázquez. André Jardine has made his third substitution, but it doesn't seem like the one that was planned. TBS said that Ramón Juárez would replace Alex Zendejas, taking América into a back five, but Sebastián Cáceres went down moments later. In the end, the change is now Cáceres off for Juárez, leaving América in the 4-2-3-1 we've seen all game. LAFC is giving Club América a lot to do at the moment, with Olivier Giroud getting two shots on goal in short order. One was easy work for Luis Malagón, but the more acrobatic effort required the Mexico No. 1's toughest save of the match. Meanwhile, a bottle seems to have been tossed from the stands, with an increased security presence now appearing behind Club América's goal. LAFC is pushing for an equalizer, and has made two more substitutions. Former France striker Olivier Giroud and midfielder Cengiz Ünder are in, replacing Jeremy Ebobisse and Mark Delgado. Ünder is playing further up the field, with LAFC moving into a 4-2-3-1 to add a number closer to goal. Meanwhile, play has stopped over what could be a troubling knock for Sebastián Cáceres. The center back collided with Cristian Borja, taking a shoulder to the nose. Cherundolo makes his first move, but it's not to deal with the bookings. Instead, it's Venezuela attacker David Martínez entering as part of the LAFC front three, with Nathan Ordaz making way. LAFC right back Sergi Palencia is the third player for the hosts to get booked in the last seven minutes, clumsily toppling Cristian Borja in an attempt to keep an attacking sequence alive. Steve Cherundolo may have to make some substitutions to deal with three players with significant defensive responsibilities all being on yellow cards now. Brian Rodríguez has returned to torment LAFC, burying his 64th-minute spot kick to give Club América a 1-0 lead in this Club World Cup playoff. Mark Delgado was booked for the handling offense that resulted in this spot kick, but more importantly Club América now leads. LAFC has something like 25 minutes plus stoppage time to get level. LAFC defensive midfielder Igor Jesus is now in Wilton Sampaio's book, after a late tackle that leaves the referee with little choice. In an unrelated moment, Érick Sánchez's shot has struck Mark Delgado, which initially looked like little more than a corner kick. However, Sampaio gets a call to the monitor, and it's a penalty for handling. That took a while, but it's a spot kick for the Liga MX giants. LAFC is out early, or Club América is out late, but either way, we're back at it. Las Águilas have made two substitutions, both with MLS connections: former LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos and ex-LAFC winger Brian Rodríguez have entered the fray, with manager André Jardine removing Alan Cervantes and Victor Dávila. Dos Santos has taken over the captain's armband and will play at the base of the midfield, while Rodríguez's entrance means Alex Zendejas will play his more natural right wing position. The first half has come to a close, and it's 0-0 in this Club World Cup playoff between LAFC and Club América. Truthfully, it's been a battle more than a thriller. LAFC has taken five of the seven total shot attempts between the teams, with goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Luis Malagón both posting one save thus far. Underneath all that, there's some animosity brewing after some hefty challenges, It's unclear whether that will see the game open up, or if the story of this one is going to center on physical play. LAFC has asked Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz to switch flanks, and it's getting some results as the first half comes to a close. In the 39th minute, Bouanga got into a good position to receive a pass inside the box, snapping a shot towards goal that was just barely blocked by Cristian Borja. LAFC yet again can't turn the corner into much, but eventually these shots from angles are going to amount to more than a set piece. Meanwhile, Club América has started lobbying referee Wilton Sampaio for further punishment after the last couple of LAFC fouls. This game isn't boiling over, but it does feel like it's starting to simmer. LAFC have survived the early pressure, and are now starting to open things up a bit. Most importantly, a surge upfield ends with Ryan Hollingshead ripping a low shot that Luis Malagón did just enough to block at the near post. LAFC couldn't capitalize on the resulting corner (well, corners, since the first became a second), but they've just now won another. We're seeing more of Denis Bouanga and more possession from LAFC, which is positive news for the hosts. Club América center back Sebastián Cáceres is booked after a late tackle sees his studs land on Mark Delgado's foot. Replays — once TBS's extremely helpful ads for the Club World Cup are out of the way — show that this yellow card could have been a darker shade, but ultimately it looks like no further punishments are coming. Delgado is good to continue after treatment, and the resulting dead ball ends with Nathan Ordaz scuffing a promising chance wide. He might have ended up being called for offside anyway, but that might be a miss to remember. While there haven't been any major chances, Club América — backed by a very vocal wall of yellow-clad supporters at one end of BMO Stadium — has had most of the ball. LAFC has been pinned back into their own end for the most part, with few chances to break out on the counter-attacks that manager Steve Cherundolo has made the team's hallmark. All of these first 10 minutes have been played with a fog of smoke from some pyrotechnics during the pre-game. That has finally cleared in the last few seconds, which is probably good news for LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio blows his whistle, and we're off and running in this Club World Cup playoff between LAFC and Club América. ¡Las 11 Águilas que buscarán el boleto al Mundial de Clubes! 🦅🔥 — Club América (@ClubAmerica) June 1, 2025 LAFC vs. Club América Club World Cup playoff: Time, TV, and how to watch Time: 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT Location: BMO Stadium (Los Angeles, Calif.) BMO Stadium (Los Angeles, Calif.) TV: TBS (English), TUDN, UniMás (both Spanish) TBS (English), TUDN, UniMás (both Spanish) Streaming: Fubo, Sling TV, DAZN USA (Watch NOW), TUDN app Watch the Club World Cup playoff on Fubo (free trial for new subscribers) LAFC and Club América are playing due to a convoluted series of events that could only happen when you get Concacaf and FIFA together to sort out a new tournament format. Initially, the last four winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup — Monterrey, the Seattle Sounders, Club León, and Pachuca — were set to take places in the Club World Cup. However, Club León and Pachuca share owners, something FIFA said cannot be permitted at the Club World Cup. FIFA eventually decided that León was disqualified, and announced a playoff between LAFC (the team León defeated in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup) and Club América (the top-ranked Concacaf team in FIFA's rankings for Club World Cup purposes). León, Pachuca, and Costa Rican club Alajuelense all appealed, with Alajuelense arguing that as Central America's top-ranked team, they should be admitted, but all were rejected. That leaves the final spot in Group D up for grabs, with Saturday's winner claiming the place. This LAFC-Club América playoff matters as far as Club World Cup glory, but it will also be a welcome financial boon for the winner. The minimum prize for any team from Concacaf qualifying for the Club World Cup is $9.55 million. The winner between LAFC and Club América will go into Group D, where Club León was initially placed. That will mean matches against Flamengo, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and Chelsea.
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Kevin De Bruyne ‘probably won't' play for Manchester City at Club World Cup
The 33-year-old is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, with Premier League games against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium and a trip to Fulham potentially his last in a City shirt. De Bruyne has helped City to six Premier League titles and the Champions League since signing in 2015, but suggested after their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final that the timing of the new competition will likely hinder his ability to take part. A post shared by Kevin De Bruyne (@kevindebruyne) 'I have to take care of myself, because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? Nobody's going to take care of me at that point, so there's a big chance I probably won't play it, but I don't know, maybe yes.' Egyptian side Al Ahly and Inter Miami open the United States-hosted Club World Cup on June 14, while City first face off against Moroccan outfit Wydad AC in Philadelphia four days later. This summer will also feature two transfer windows, the first of which will open from June 1 to 10, and the main window which will run from June 16 to September 1. One month until the USA welcomes the world. 🇺🇸🏆#TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) May 14, 2025 The first of those windows is an additional registration period created by FIFA which national associations could adopt if they had teams involved in the Club World Cup – effectively allowing players in De Bruyne's situation to stay on short-term. The Belgium international says he is not in a rush to make a decision about his future, but did not rule out a move to another Premier League club and admitted he has already had conversations with some suitors. Asked after the FA Cup final if he ideally wants to stay in the English top flight, De Bruyne said: 'I don't know. It depends who comes. 'I have a family, I have young kids, I have to take care of a decision (that) suits everybody, not just me. When I was 20 years old and by myself, I could make a decision that was very easy, but now it's a bit more complex.' Quizzed further as to whether or not his next employers could be English, he simply replied: 'Maybe.' Eberechi Eze's 16th-minute strike at Wembley proved enough for Palace to secure their first major silverware and a maiden proper European campaign, while it was another disappointment for Pep Guardiola's men, who are still fighting for a Champions League place next season. 'Of course it's not been the season that we wanted,' De Bruyne added. 'We want to win all the time, but this season we have not done it. You have to take it on the chin, and sometimes it doesn't go the way that you want to, but we tried, and you have to move on. '(Losing the final) doesn't affect what we've done in 10 years. I think comparing to a lot of players, I've won way more than others, so I will be forever happy and grateful for what we have done as a team, what they have given me.'
North Wales Chronicle
18-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Kevin De Bruyne ‘probably won't' play for Manchester City at Club World Cup
The 33-year-old is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, with Premier League games against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium and a trip to Fulham potentially his last in a City shirt. De Bruyne has helped City to six Premier League titles and the Champions League since signing in 2015, but suggested after their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final that the timing of the new competition will likely hinder his ability to take part. A post shared by Kevin De Bruyne (@kevindebruyne) 'I have to take care of myself, because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? Nobody's going to take care of me at that point, so there's a big chance I probably won't play it, but I don't know, maybe yes.' Egyptian side Al Ahly and Inter Miami open the United States-hosted Club World Cup on June 14, while City first face off against Moroccan outfit Wydad AC in Philadelphia four days later. This summer will also feature two transfer windows, the first of which will open from June 1 to 10, and the main window which will run from June 16 to September 1. One month until the USA welcomes the world. 🇺🇸🏆#TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) May 14, 2025 The first of those windows is an additional registration period created by FIFA which national associations could adopt if they had teams involved in the Club World Cup – effectively allowing players in De Bruyne's situation to stay on short-term. The Belgium international says he is not in a rush to make a decision about his future, but did not rule out a move to another Premier League club and admitted he has already had conversations with some suitors. Asked after the FA Cup final if he ideally wants to stay in the English top flight, De Bruyne said: 'I don't know. It depends who comes. 'I have a family, I have young kids, I have to take care of a decision (that) suits everybody, not just me. When I was 20 years old and by myself, I could make a decision that was very easy, but now it's a bit more complex.' Quizzed further as to whether or not his next employers could be English, he simply replied: 'Maybe.' Eberechi Eze's 16th-minute strike at Wembley proved enough for Palace to secure their first major silverware and a maiden proper European campaign, while it was another disappointment for Pep Guardiola's men, who are still fighting for a Champions League place next season. 'Of course it's not been the season that we wanted,' De Bruyne added. 'We want to win all the time, but this season we have not done it. You have to take it on the chin, and sometimes it doesn't go the way that you want to, but we tried, and you have to move on. '(Losing the final) doesn't affect what we've done in 10 years. I think comparing to a lot of players, I've won way more than others, so I will be forever happy and grateful for what we have done as a team, what they have given me.'
Rhyl Journal
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Kevin De Bruyne ‘probably won't' play for Manchester City at Club World Cup
The 33-year-old is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, with Premier League games against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium and a trip to Fulham potentially his last in a City shirt. De Bruyne has helped City to six Premier League titles and the Champions League since signing in 2015, but suggested after their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final that the timing of the new competition will likely hinder his ability to take part. A post shared by Kevin De Bruyne (@kevindebruyne) 'I have to take care of myself, because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? Nobody's going to take care of me at that point, so there's a big chance I probably won't play it, but I don't know, maybe yes.' Egyptian side Al Ahly and Inter Miami open the United States-hosted Club World Cup on June 14, while City first face off against Moroccan outfit Wydad AC in Philadelphia four days later. This summer will also feature two transfer windows, the first of which will open from June 1 to 10, and the main window which will run from June 16 to September 1. One month until the USA welcomes the world. 🇺🇸🏆#TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) May 14, 2025 The first of those windows is an additional registration period created by FIFA which national associations could adopt if they had teams involved in the Club World Cup – effectively allowing players in De Bruyne's situation to stay on short-term. The Belgium international says he is not in a rush to make a decision about his future, but did not rule out a move to another Premier League club and admitted he has already had conversations with some suitors. Asked after the FA Cup final if he ideally wants to stay in the English top flight, De Bruyne said: 'I don't know. It depends who comes. 'I have a family, I have young kids, I have to take care of a decision (that) suits everybody, not just me. When I was 20 years old and by myself, I could make a decision that was very easy, but now it's a bit more complex.' Quizzed further as to whether or not his next employers could be English, he simply replied: 'Maybe.' Eberechi Eze's 16th-minute strike at Wembley proved enough for Palace to secure their first major silverware and a maiden proper European campaign, while it was another disappointment for Pep Guardiola's men, who are still fighting for a Champions League place next season. 'Of course it's not been the season that we wanted,' De Bruyne added. 'We want to win all the time, but this season we have not done it. You have to take it on the chin, and sometimes it doesn't go the way that you want to, but we tried, and you have to move on. '(Losing the final) doesn't affect what we've done in 10 years. I think comparing to a lot of players, I've won way more than others, so I will be forever happy and grateful for what we have done as a team, what they have given me.'
Powys County Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Kevin De Bruyne ‘probably won't' play for Manchester City at Club World Cup
Departing captain Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he 'probably won't' play for Manchester City at the revamped Club World Cup next month. The 33-year-old is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, with Premier League games against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium and a trip to Fulham potentially his last in a City shirt. De Bruyne has helped City to six Premier League titles and the Champions League since signing in 2015, but suggested after their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final that the timing of the new competition will likely hinder his ability to take part. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kevin De Bruyne (@kevindebruyne) 'It does not make any sense,' De Bruyne was quoted as saying by a number of national newspapers after the Wembley final. 'But that happens when you push in new tournaments in the middle of a contract situation. 'I have to take care of myself, because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? Nobody's going to take care of me at that point, so there's a big chance I probably won't play it, but I don't know, maybe yes.' Egyptian side Al Ahly and Inter Miami open the United States-hosted Club World Cup on June 14, while City first face off against Moroccan outfit Wydad AC in Philadelphia four days later. This summer will also feature two transfer windows, the first of which will open from June 1 to 10, and the main window which will run from June 16 to September 1. One month until the USA welcomes the world. 🇺🇸🏆 #TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) May 14, 2025 The first of those windows is an additional registration period created by FIFA which national associations could adopt if they had teams involved in the Club World Cup – effectively allowing players in De Bruyne's situation to stay on short-term. The Belgium international says he is not in a rush to make a decision about his future, but did not rule out a move to another Premier League club and admitted he has already had conversations with some suitors. Asked after the FA Cup final if he ideally wants to stay in the English top flight, De Bruyne said: 'I don't know. It depends who comes. 'I have a family, I have young kids, I have to take care of a decision (that) suits everybody, not just me. When I was 20 years old and by myself, I could make a decision that was very easy, but now it's a bit more complex.' Quizzed further as to whether or not his next employers could be English, he simply replied: 'Maybe.' Eberechi Eze's 16th-minute strike at Wembley proved enough for Palace to secure their first major silverware and a maiden proper European campaign, while it was another disappointment for Pep Guardiola's men, who are still fighting for a Champions League place next season. 'Of course it's not been the season that we wanted,' De Bruyne added. 'We want to win all the time, but this season we have not done it. You have to take it on the chin, and sometimes it doesn't go the way that you want to, but we tried, and you have to move on. '(Losing the final) doesn't affect what we've done in 10 years. I think comparing to a lot of players, I've won way more than others, so I will be forever happy and grateful for what we have done as a team, what they have given me.'
