Latest news with #JohnThorrington
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
‘We know what's at stake': LAFC braces for shot at Club World Cup
LAFC has won an MLS Cup and played in two CONCACAF Champions League finals. None of those games were worth as much as the team's upcoming match. Literally. Next up for LAFC is the $10-Million Game, in which it will play Mexico's Club América on Saturday at Banc of California to determine the final entrant in the Club World Cup. The 32-team tournament, which will be staged across the United States from mid-June to mid-July, has a record-breaking billion-dollar prize pool. By simply qualifying for the event and playing in three group-stage matches, LAFC would be entitled to a participation fee of $9.55 million. That might not be considered a significant prize for the Dodgers or Lakers, but it's a major bounty for LAFC, which had a payroll of about $20 million last season. 'We know what's at stake,' LAFC co-president John Thorrington said. Imagine that, a Major League Soccer team playing a game with real consequences. The stakes are unusually high for a team in a league in which 18 of 30 teams reach the postseason and the threat of relegation is non-existent. Real money will be on the line. That's money that could go toward covering the transfer fee or salary of the team's next signature player, as one of LAFC's three designated-player slots could open this summer. Thorrington preferred to emphasize the symbolic importance of LAFC reaching the Club World Cup, how it would move the team one step closer to its long-stated ambition of becoming a global brand. 'The conversation here is not dominated by the financial benefit here, but rather the competitive opportunity that this game and the tournament present,' Thorrington said. If LAFC advances to the Club World Cup, its opening game will be against Chelsea of the English Premier League. The other group-stage games would be against ES Tunis of Tunisia and Flamengo of Brazil. 'I think it would be something special,' defender Eddie Segura said in Spanish. The tournament could also be a wake-up call for MLS, which has two other teams in the competition in Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders. The league has a salary cap, as well as paint-by-numbers roster compliance rules that permit minimal flexibility on how its teams can spend money. Soccer is a sport in which teams are only as good as their weakest links, but the regulations force clubs to construct top-heavy rosters. As it was, the financial restrictions were already handicapping MLS teams in its competitions against its Mexican counterparts, with LAFC relying on its smarts instead of the economic might of its deep-pocketed owners to reach two Champions League finals. Now, MLS teams will be taking on opponents with virtually unlimited budgets. Just two years ago, Chelsea spent more than a billion dollars buying players in a single transfer window. The Club World Cup's cash prizes offer MLS a powerful incentive to loosen its rules. Group-stage wins are worth $2 million each. Teams will be paid $7.5 million for reaching the round of 16. The champion will take home more than $100 million. The payouts could also force MLS to make changes to its collective bargaining agreement, which was signed when the Club World Cup was still a seven-team tournament. Under the current CBA, LAFC's players would divide $1 million, with the remainder of the $9.55 million participation fee staying with the club. Segura said the players are engaged in talks over their compensation. 'The club would benefit a lot, but I hope that we as players, as the ones who are there giving everything, will also have a chance to benefit,' Segura said. The upcoming game has also offered LAFC a firsthand view of FIFA's operations. LAFC's and Club América's opportunity came at the expense of León, which was removed from the Club World Cup field because it was owned by the same group that owned another Mexican team in the tournament, Pachuca. León qualified for the tournament by defeating LAFC in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League final. Rather than award León's place to LAFC, FIFA basically invented a play-in game out of thin air, calling on LAFC to take on Club América, which was the region's highest-ranked team that wasn't already in the tournament. LAFC was at least granted a chance. The Galaxy won the MLS Cup last season, but Inter Miami received the place reserved for the host nation before the MLS playoffs even started. The purported reason was that Inter Miami had the league's best regular-season record. However, the widespread suspicion was that FIFA wanted Lionel Messi in the tournament. After all, money is what is driving this tournament and money is what is driving the sport.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Former Arsenal, Sociedad attacker Vela retires
May 28 (Reuters) - Former Arsenal and Real Sociedad attacker Carlos Vela has retired from professional soccer after a career spanning 19 years, the 36-year-old said on Tuesday. Vela graduated from Arsenal's youth setup and made his senior debut during a loan spell at Spanish side Salamanca. He made 29 Premier League appearances for Arsenal before having a seven-year stint at LaLiga club Sociedad. At ease as a forward, attacking midfielder or out wide, Vela also made 72 appearances for Mexico, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup twice. "Throughout my career I have experienced some very special moments, but the time has come to officially retire from professional football," he wrote on Instagram. "It has been an honour and a privilege to share my career with all of you." After moving to Los Angeles FC in 2018 Vela helped the Major League Soccer side win the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. He scored 34 goals during the 2019 MLS season, a league record, and is the all-time leader in goals, assists and appearances for the club. "He has been the heartbeat, the captain, and the face of LAFC," club co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a statement.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Former MLS MVP Carlos Vela announces retirement after his record-setting career with LAFC
Former Major League Soccer MVP Carlos Vela announced his retirement Tuesday. The 36-year-old Vela spent the previous seven seasons with Los Angeles FC, which signed the Mexican forward as its first designated player in 2017 before the expansion club had played a game. Vela became LAFC's leader in goals (78), assists (59) and games played (152) in a career highlighted by his MVP season in 2019, during which he set an MLS record with 34 goals. LAFC won the MLS Cup in 2022 and earned Supporters' Shield trophies in 2019 and 2022 during Vela's tenure. "Helping to build LAFC and winning trophies for the club is a highlight of my career," Vela said in a statement. "This club means so much to me and my family, and I am proud of everything we have accomplished together with the great fans of Los Angeles. I am excited to begin this next chapter in my journey here in LA." Vela's contract with LAFC ran out after the 2023 season, and he remained unsigned until last September, when he rejoined the club for the playoff stretch. But Vela played only four minutes as a substitute in one playoff game, and LAFC did not re-sign him for the current season. Vela and his family live in Los Angeles, and the club named him its first Black & Gold Ambassador while announcing his retirement. In his new role, Vela will "help us grow the LAFC brand, strengthen our connection with supporters, and continue to inspire the next generation of players," general manager John Thorrington said. A Cancún native, Vela began his youth career with Chivas before moving to Arsenal as a 16-year-old prospect in 2005. He spent much of his Arsenal tenure on loan to several Spanish clubs before landing at Real Sociedad, where he played for six years before joining LAFC. Vela was one of MLS' best players for his first several seasons with LAFC, earning four All-Star selections and three spots in the MLS Best XI. He was the fastest player in MLS history to compile 75 goals and 50 assists in his career, and he is the top Mexican goal-scorer in league history. "From the beginning, Carlos has been more than just a player — he has been the heartbeat, the captain and the face of LAFC," Thorrington said. "Carlos arrived in Los Angeles with a shared vision of building something truly special, and he delivered on that promise in every way. From unforgettable goals to historic victories, Carlos helped make LAFC what it is today." Vela played for Mexico at the World Cup in 2010 and 2018, but he also feuded with El Tri's management at times, leading to long stretches away from the national team. Vela declared himself retired from international football in 2020. LAFC will honor the forward on Noche de Carlos Vela, to be held Sept. 21 at BMO Stadium during a match against Real Salt Lake.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Former MLS MVP Carlos Vela announces retirement after his record-setting career with LAFC
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Major League Soccer MVP Carlos Vela announced his retirement Tuesday. The 36-year-old Vela spent the previous seven seasons with Los Angeles FC, which signed the Mexican forward as its first designated player in 2017 before the expansion club had played a game. Vela became LAFC's leader in goals (78), assists (59) and games played (152) in a career highlighted by his MVP season in 2019, during which he set an MLS record with 34 goals. LAFC won the MLS Cup in 2022 and earned Supporters' Shield trophies in 2019 and 2022 during Vela's tenure. 'Helping to build LAFC and winning trophies for the club is a highlight of my career,' Vela said in a statement. 'This club means so much to me and my family, and I am proud of everything we have accomplished together with the great fans of Los Angeles. I am excited to begin this next chapter in my journey here in LA.' Vela's contract with LAFC ran out after the 2023 season, and he remained unsigned until last September, when he rejoined the club for the playoff stretch. But Vela played only four minutes as a substitute in one playoff game, and LAFC did not re-sign him for the current season. Vela and his family live in Los Angeles, and the club named him its first Black & Gold Ambassador while announcing his retirement. In his new role, Vela will 'help us grow the LAFC brand, strengthen our connection with supporters, and continue to inspire the next generation of players,' general manager John Thorrington said. A Cancún native, Vela began his youth career with Chivas before moving to Arsenal as a 16-year-old prospect in 2005. He spent much of his Arsenal tenure on loan to several Spanish clubs before landing at Real Sociedad, where he played for six years before joining LAFC. Vela was one of MLS' best players for his first several seasons with LAFC, earning four All-Star selections and three spots in the MLS Best XI. He was the fastest player in MLS history to compile 75 goals and 50 assists in his career, and he is the top Mexican goal-scorer in league history. 'From the beginning, Carlos has been more than just a player — he has been the heartbeat, the captain and the face of LAFC,' Thorrington said. 'Carlos arrived in Los Angeles with a shared vision of building something truly special, and he delivered on that promise in every way. From unforgettable goals to historic victories, Carlos helped make LAFC what it is today.' Vela played for Mexico at the World Cup in 2010 and 2018, but he also feuded with El Tri's management at times, leading to long stretches away from the national team. Vela declared himself retired from international football in 2020. LAFC will honor the forward on Noche de Carlos Vela, to be held Sept. 21 at BMO Stadium during a match against Real Salt Lake. ___ AP soccer:
Los Angeles Times
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
LAFC ‘incredibly hungry' as it opens Champions League play in search of elusive title
LAFC is the only MLS team to play in two CONCACAF Champions League finals this century. It is also the only MLS team to lose two CONCACAF Champions League finals this century. And therein lies a lesson for the team, which begins play in the tournament for a third time Tuesday, facing the Colorado Rapids in the opener of a two-leg first-round playoff in suburban Denver. The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-teens with a chance of snow. The second and deciding game will be played Feb. 25 at BMO Stadium, with the winner advancing on aggregate goals. 'We as a club will learn from those experiences,' LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said of his team's previous visits to the title game of CONCACAF's most prestigious club tournament. 'The bitterness of losing a final doesn't go away until you actually win one, so that keeps us incredibly hungry.' LAFC fell to Tigres in a single-game final played in a COVID bubble in 2020, then was swept by León in a two-leg final three seasons later. Teams from Mexico's Liga MX have won 18 of the last 19 CONCACAF tournaments, with only the Seattle Sounders' victory in 2022 interrupting that streak. 'The lesson to be learned for all MLS clubs is we need to continue to grow,' LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. 'Our rosters need to continue to grow and also quality-wise need to get better in order to start winning the trophy. 'Getting to the final is one thing. But actually raising trophies regularly is another.' The Champions League, renamed the CONCACAF Champions Cup this season, is one of the few prizes LAFC hasn't won since entering MLS eight years ago. Under Thorrington the team has won two Supporters' Shields, an MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. It also played in the Leagues Cup final last year, losing to Columbus. As a result, LAFC has averaged 48 games a season over the last three years, or more than a match a week. That puts a lot of strain on a thin roster so to prepare for long runs in multiple tournaments again this season, Thorrington has built what he believes is the strongest team to open a season in LAFC's short history, one that goes two deep at every position. 'We know we have Champions League. We know we have a really busy start to the season relative to last year,' he said. 'So our objective in the offseason was to get as deep and robust as possible to manage that early season load.' That's a slight change from the strategy Thorrington has used the last three years, when he added players such as Olivier Giroud, Marlon, Giorgio Chiellini, Gareth Bale and Denis Bouanga in the middle of season. Already this winter Thorrington has signed forward Jeremy Ebobisse as a free agent, traded for midfielder Mark Delgado, acquired Ukrainian defender Artem Smolyakov and Brazilian midfielder Igor Jesus on transfers and was in the process Monday of finalizing a deal for talented Turkish winger Cengiz Under on loan. However the tight MLS salary cap also forced LAFC to say goodbye to some valuable players, among them midfielders Ilie Sánchez, Lewis O'Brien and Eduard Atuesta, defenders Omar Campos and Jesús Murillo, and attackers Mateusz Bogusz and Cristian Olivera. 'The moves we've made, the salary cap space we've made available, have allowed us to create a stronger team,' Thorrington said. The two first-round Champions Cup games will be sandwiched around LAFC's MLS opener Saturday against Minnesota United. And if LAFC advances to the CONCACAF tournament's round of 16, it will play more Champions Cup games than MLS games in the first month of the regular season. Cherundolo said that's a distraction to the team learned to ignore in its previous CONCACAF tournaments. 'We're just focused on our next game and the next round. What comes after that we'll deal with then,' he said. 'That approach seems to have been fine over the last three years. 'We are fully aware of what the season could look like if you reach finals again and we're prepared for that. We will finalize our roster accordingly.'
