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Boston Globe
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Revolution get another result on the road, but D.C. United made it awfully hard to watch
The Revolution are not among the upper level possession teams, and they struggled against United. But the Revolution are at least trying to get there, and coach Caleb Porter has established an effective way of dealing with high-press defending. Against United, the Revolution took the lead on Ilay Feingold's goal in first-half stoppage time, and were on the verge of victory, Luis Diaz barely missing with a low shot just before the final whistle. But the Revolution were able to pass their way out of most situations against United; and the fact they have established a foundation for doing so means they should improve. Unfortunately, the Revolution do not compete in a dedicated venue with a well-groomed grass field to provide a stage for what has the potential to be a contending team. The Revolution might never win an MLS Cup — they are zero for five in finals — but they should continue to be a team worth watching. Advertisement FEINGOAL!! — New England Revolution (@NERevolution) Advertisement As for United, with Christian Benteke healthy, the team can be dangerous. But one player can only do so much. Benteke led the league in scoring (23 goals) last year, but United failed to make the playoffs. A problem with United's incessant pressing mode is that it will never attract enough top-notch players to make a run at a league title. The team will find that few high-profile performers near their prime will ever completely buy into the philosophy. And, even should United's plans produce victories, how many really good players want to do all that running and destroying? What's the point? Savvy, skilled players are going to want to dictate tempo with the ball, which also allows them to conserve energy. If they are looking long term, it seems obvious that heady, sophisticated, possession-oriented soccer works in their favor in extending careers. Another drawback to all-out pressing is that there is nothing to fall back on if it is not working. Switching off and trying to, say, play a competent possession game after everyone's committed to a wound-up mindset, can be difficult. Advertisement The origin of United's style goes back to coach Troy Lesesne's time with the New York Red Bulls, and their connection to other Red Bull clubs in Europe. But there is no compelling reason to bring that method to the US. First off, there is no relegation in MLS, and there is no real penalty if a team performs poorly. So, if you're not threatened by relegation, why not encourage creativity and aesthetic-pleasing soccer? The US has plenty of hard-charging, physical athletes. What's lacking is guile, subtlety, tactical awareness, an understanding of how to pace the game ― many of the qualities that make soccer worth participating in and watching. After recent World Cups — men's and women's — observers noted the US team faults, and seldom did they mention lack of desire or willingness to run full speed for 90-plus minutes, even if that means chasing after craftier foes. Those traits are also abundant at the club level — there is no sense emphasizing them over all else. 'We knew it would be about direct play, crosses, long throw-ins, and set pieces,' Revolution coach Caleb Porter said. 'When you leave the margin at one, it makes it even tougher. Then, you're obviously in a compacted week where your guys aren't going to be quite as fresh mentally and physically. But it is difficult to deal with, no doubt, and we have to score the second goal.' There were times when United, a mostly anonymous, uninspiring group, threatened. D.C. equalized via Gabriel Pirani in the first minute of second-half added time, snapping a 495-minute league scoreless spell dating to May 3. Meanwhile, the Revolution, who arrived a few hours before kickoff due to a flight delay (mechanical problems), mostly maintained their composure and tried to capitalize on United's over-aggressiveness. Advertisement Watching the contest, though, seemed like a chore. You have to think many spectators just wanted the match to get over — win, lose, or draw. Jogo bonito 🇧🇷 — D.C. United (@dcunited) Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hernández: 'We know what's at stake': LAFC braces for shot at Club World Cup
Forward Denis Bouanga and LAFC need to beat Club America on Saturday at Banc of California Stadium to earn a spot in the Club World Cup this summer, which is worth at $9.55 million qualifying prize. (Shaun Clark / Getty Images) 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. Advertisement 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. Read more: LAFC star Carlos Vela retires and becomes first club ambassador '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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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. Read more: Olivier Giroud and Mark Delgado help LAFC salvage draw with Montreal 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement After all, money is what is driving this tournament and money is what is driving the sport. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
18 hours 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.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
New York City FC aim to end Nashville SC's unbeaten run
Nashville SC will put a nine-game unbeaten streak on the line Saturday when it hosts New York City FC in an Eastern Conference battle. Nashville enters the contest third in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. The Boys in Gold are on a 6-0-3 run in all competitions and a 4-0-3 surge in MLS play. NYCFC is just four points behind Nashville but is in eighth place in the East standings. Nashville returns home after playing to a 2-2 draw at 2023 MLS Cup winner Columbus Crew on Wednesday. Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar scored for Nashville, which won despite being outshot 21-13 and finishing with 38.1 percent of the ball possession. The Crew needed an own goal by defender Jeisson Palacios in the 81st minute to earn the draw. "Tough game in general," Mukhtar told the Tennessean. "Credit to the group, we fought. I think it shows the mentality of this group. If we're not on top of a team, we still fight, and it's very difficult to break us down." NYCFC posted back-to-back home wins over the New York Red Bulls and the Chicago Fire before its three-game unbeaten streak was snapped by the visiting Houston Dynamo 3-0 on Wednesday at rainy Yankee Stadium. New York, despite owning the ball 62.2 percent of the time, managed just one shot on goal in the sloppy conditions, and that one didn't come until the 58th minute. Meanwhile, former NYCFC striker Gabe Segal scored a brace, and the Dynamo also got an own goal from New York City's Justin Haak. "We didn't create anything, nothing at all," New York coach Pascal Jansen said. "They made it really tough on us. They were defending very, very aggressive, with a lot of bodies in the middle." It marked the third time in the past five MLS matches that New York was blanked. Field Level Media
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Intermex Named Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park and the Official International Remittance Partner of the LA Galaxy
First-of-Its-Kind Deal Deepens Intermex's Connection to Soccer and Latino Communities Across Southern California LOS ANGELES & MIAMI, May 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The reigning 2024 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy and their home stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP), have launched a new partnership with International Money Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMXI) (Intermex), a leading money remittance provider to Latin America and the Caribbean. The multiyear agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, makes Intermex the Official International Remittance Partner of the LA Galaxy and a Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park, a premium and category-exclusive designation. The partnership marks the first time the team, the venue, and AEG have partnered with a brand in the international remittance category. This also represents Intermex's first official partnership in sports—making it a first-of-its-kind collaboration. "Our partnership with the LA Galaxy and Dignity Health Sports Park is about showing up for the people who have always been at the center of this sport," said Marcelo Theodoro, Chief Product, Marketing & Digital Officer at Intermex. "For so many Latino families, fútbol isn't just entertainment, it's a part of who we are. This collaboration allows us to celebrate that connection in a meaningful way, both on and off the field." Founded in 1994, around the same time as the LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer, Intermex and soccer have grown in parallel, earning trust among Latino communities in the U.S. and abroad. Headquartered in Miami, Intermex enables digital money transfers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe to more than 60 countries, with a strong focus on Latin America. The company offers a multi-channel delivery experience via its app, website, retail locations, as well as WhatsApp. Known for its human-first customer service, including Spanish-first support for underbanked and immigrant communities, Intermex has become a trusted provider for millions of Latino families. With Los Angeles being one of Intermex's most strategically important U.S. markets, the LA Galaxy presents a timely and culturally significant opportunity to deepen its ties with a region where soccer is thriving. Across the United States, especially in Southern California, soccer has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports, driven in large part by Latino communities where the game has long served as a source of cultural pride and generational connection. More than five million Latinos call Los Angeles home, and across California, nearly 70% of MLS viewership comes from Latino fans—making the region a powerful intersection of culture, sport, and community. The agreement also extends through two of the most significant global sporting events set to take place in Los Angeles: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, offering unmatched exposure and relevance during pivotal moments for the sport. "We are excited to welcome Intermex to the Galaxy family," said LA Galaxy President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun. "This is a values-driven brand that understands the importance of language, culture, and legacy. Together, we're building something that resonates on and off the pitch." As a Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park, Intermex will enjoy premium brand visibility throughout the venue and will be fully integrated into the fan journey—from driveway to pitch. This includes prominent freeway marquee signage, scoreboard integrations, concourse placements, plaza wall signage, and various digital menu boards across the property. "Intermex is a brand that truly understands the people we serve," said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager of Dignity Health Sports Park. "Their partnership reinforces our shared commitment to elevating the guest experience while creating lasting impact across our community." As part of the agreement, Intermex also becomes the Presenting Partner of the LA Galaxy Soccer Center – a 73,000-square-foot facility in Torrance, California dedicated to futsal and recreational sports. Intermex's partnership will support year-round youth and adult programming at the center, helping preserve a vital hub for thousands of local families and athletes of all ages. "Intermex is setting a new standard for what culturally relevant, community-rooted partnerships in sports can look like and achieve," said Rashid Dadashi, Senior Director, AEG Global Partnerships. "Soccer is central to the lives of their customers and our fans, and our collaboration provides an opportunity to engage authentically and consistently in one of their highest-priority markets. They're a brand that leads with purpose and understands the power of showing up where it matters most." Further amplifying the cultural impact of the partnership, Intermex will be the Title Night Partner of the 2025 Mexican Heritage Night, taking place on September 20 against FC Cincinnati – one of the club's most highly anticipated cultural theme nights of the season. Additionally, Intermex will engage fans as the Presenting Partner of "Cobi Club" – an original content series from the LA Galaxy that explores football chatter with current trends and popular culture, giving every fan – fanatics and casuals fans alike – something to enjoy. With nearly 30 years of trusted service and deep roots in Latino communities across the globe, Intermex's entry into sports sponsorship marks a new chapter in its mission to empower, connect, and uplift the people who drive its business – one built on trust, cultural alignment, and the beautiful game. ABOUT INTERMEX Founded in 1994, Intermex applies proprietary technology to enable consumers to send money from the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany to more than 60 countries. The company facilitates digital money movement through its website and mobile app, as well as through a vast network of retail agents and company-operated stores. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Intermex also operates international offices in Puebla, Mexico; Guatemala City, Guatemala; London, England; and Madrid, Spain. Learn more at ABOUT LA GALAXY The LA Galaxy are Major League Soccer's most successful club. Based in Carson, Calif. at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a record six times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024), the MLS Supporters' Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and one Concacaf Champions Cup (2000) since their inception in 1996. Under the direction of LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun on the business operations side and LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz on the soccer operations side, the Galaxy are the premier club in MLS, with stars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Javier Hernandez, Cobi Jones, Riqui Puig and Marco Reus representing LA over the team's 29 years in MLS. For more information on the LA Galaxy, visit ABOUT DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK Dignity Health Sports Park is southern California's home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. Dignity Health Sports Park features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,000-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy, the six-time MLS Cup Champions. Dignity Health Sports Park is also home of the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) High Performance Training Center and the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Additionally, Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Galaxy Park, a newly imagined complex on the campus of the facility that features five 5v5 soccer fields, three futsal courts, eight Pickleball courts, four Padel courts, and is home to a number of other recreational activities. For additional information, please visit ABOUT AEG Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments: Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including the production and promotion of global and regional concert tours, an extensive portfolio of clubs, theaters and other music venues, concerts and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; Venues and Real Estate, which develops, owns and operates world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Arena and L.A. LIVE, Uber Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London; Sports, as the world's largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbären Berlin; Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating, and other strategic partnerships; And Ticketing, which, through its ticketing platform, provides more than 400 clients worldwide with ticketing services that cover the gamut of entertainments, including sporting events, arena tours, music clubs, festivals, rodeos and family events. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 90 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACTS LA GalaxyJamie Alvarezjaalvarez@ AEG Global PartnershipsShannon Investor Relations: Alex SadowskiInvestor Relations Coordinatorir@ 305-671-8000 Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
