Latest news with #MajorLeagueSoccer
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
San Diego FC ban 33 fans indefinitely after violent brawl at LA Galaxy match
San Diego FC have issued indefinite bans to 33 people who apparently participated in a violent brawl after the club's match against the LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium last weekend. The expansion San Diego club announced Friday that the fans are prohibited from attending home and away matches. The club will work with law enforcement and Major League Soccer to enforce the bans, and further action could be taken. 'The behavior exhibited by these individuals is entirely unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as a club,' San Diego FC said in a statement. 'We seek to create matchdays that are safe, welcoming and respectful environments for all fans. Snapdragon Stadium officials have assured us that they will enhance security protocols to ensure safety at stadium events.' A prolonged, vicious brawl broke out in the stands following San Diego's dramatic 2-1 victory over the Galaxy on 24 May. Much of the fighting was particularly dangerous because it occurred in the front row of the upper deck of the Snapdragon stands, with some of the combatants coming perilously close to tumbling over the railing. Even more fights occurred later in the stadium's parking lots, according to fans who posted video on social media. 'We want an atmosphere that is passionate, inclusive, and secure – where everyone in San Diego feels proud to come together as one community to celebrate the game we love,' the club statement continued. 'There is no place for violence in our sport.' The brawls were yet another chapter of dismaying fan behavior during San Diego's inaugural season, which has been a big success on the field. The club currently sits second in MLS' Western Conference at 8-5-3. Fights also broke out at Snapdragon in April when Los Angeles FC visited, with social media video showing men with their faces covered fighting each other, police officers and security guards. San Diego FC's inaugural home match on 1 March was marred by three occurrences of the infamous homophobic chant frequently heard at the Mexican national team's soccer matches. The club condemned the chants and implored fans to stop. San Diego hosts Austin FC on Saturday.
New York Post
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
LAFC, Club America set to meet for Club World Cup's final spot with nearly $10 million at stake
Welcome to the richest game in North American soccer history. LAFC of Major League Soccer and Club América of Mexico's Liga MX will meet Saturday night (10:30, streaming free on DAZN) in an impromptu one-game playoff with nearly $10 million — and possibly much more — on the line. The winner will claim the final spot in this summer's Club World Cup, a star-studded 32-team tournament set to take place from June 14-July 13 in 12 cities across the United States, ending with the semifinals and final at MetLife Stadium. Olivier Giroud reacts after scoring during a May 24, 2025 match for LAFC. AP Each club team from CONCACAF, the region that includes the U.S. and Mexico, is guaranteed $9.55 million for taking part in the tournament via FIFA, the sport's global governing body. And then there's a crack at additional riches from what's being billed as a $1 billion prize pool for the Club World Cup. Group stage wins are worth $2 million a pop. The tournament champion will bank a cool $125 million. The global field includes European heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain; teams from South America, Asia and Australia; and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. 'The conversation here is not dominated by the financial benefit here but rather the competitive opportunity that this game and the tournament present,' LAFC general manager John Thorrington said, per the Los Angeles Times. Henry Martin moves with the ball for Club America during a May 25, 2025 match. Getty Images Saturday's play-in game came about after Mexico's Club León was disqualified in March — for sharing ownership with Pachuca, another tournament team — which opened up a spot in Group D alongside Chelsea (England), Flamengo (Brazil) and ES Tunis (Tunisia). LAFC, the 2022 MLS champions who now feature international star Olivier Giroud, get the benefit of playing this nearly eight-figure showdown at their home field of BMO Stadium — though many from the Los Angeles community among a raucous sold-out crowd of roughly 22,000 will be supporting Club América. 'If you go back to our preseason match against América, it didn't quite feel like a home game in the normal sense for us,' Thorrington said.
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
San Diego FC bans 33 from all matches after violent brawls in stadium stands during LA Galaxy visit
San Diego FC has issued indefinite bans to 33 people who apparently participated in a violent brawl after the club's match against the LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium last weekend. The expansion San Diego club announced Friday that the fans are prohibited from attending home and away matches. The club will work with law enforcement and Major League Soccer to enforce the bans, and further action could be taken. 'The behavior exhibited by these individuals is entirely unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as a club,' San Diego FC said in a statement. 'We seek to create matchdays that are safe, welcoming and respectful environments for all fans. Snapdragon Stadium officials have assured us that they will enhance security protocols to ensure safety at stadium events.' A prolonged, vicious brawl broke out in the stands following San Diego's dramatic 2-1 victory over the Galaxy on May 24. Much of the fighting was particularly dangerous because it occurred in the front row of the upper deck of the Snapdragon stands, with some of the combatants coming perilously close to tumbling over the railing. Even more fights occurred later in the stadium's parking lots, according to fans who posted video on social media. 'We want an atmosphere that is passionate, inclusive, and secure – where everyone in San Diego feels proud to come together as one community to celebrate the game we love,' the club statement continued. 'There is no place for violence in our sport.' The brawls were yet another chapter of dismaying fan behavior during San Diego's inaugural season, which has been a big success on the field. The club currently sits second in MLS' Western Conference at 8-5-3. Fights also broke out at Snapdragon in April when Los Angeles FC visited, with social media video showing men with their faces covered fighting each other, police officers and security guards. San Diego FC's inaugural home match on March 1 was marred by three occurrences of the infamous homophobic chant frequently heard at the Mexican national team's soccer matches. The club condemned the chants and implored fans to stop. San Diego hosts Austin FC on Saturday. ___ AP soccer:
San Francisco Chronicle
16 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Diego FC bans 33 from all matches after violent brawls in stadium stands during LA Galaxy visit
San Diego FC has issued indefinite bans to 33 people who apparently participated in a violent brawl after the club's match against the LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium last weekend. The expansion San Diego club announced Friday that the fans are prohibited from attending home and away matches. The club will work with law enforcement and Major League Soccer to enforce the bans, and further action could be taken. "The behavior exhibited by these individuals is entirely unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as a club," San Diego FC said in a statement. 'We seek to create matchdays that are safe, welcoming and respectful environments for all fans. Snapdragon Stadium officials have assured us that they will enhance security protocols to ensure safety at stadium events.' A prolonged, vicious brawl broke out in the stands following San Diego's dramatic 2-1 victory over the Galaxy on May 24. Much of the fighting was particularly dangerous because it occurred in the front row of the upper deck of the Snapdragon stands, with some of the combatants coming perilously close to tumbling over the railing. Even more fights occurred later in the stadium's parking lots, according to fans who posted video on social media. 'We want an atmosphere that is passionate, inclusive, and secure – where everyone in San Diego feels proud to come together as one community to celebrate the game we love,' the club statement continued. 'There is no place for violence in our sport.' The brawls were yet another chapter of dismaying fan behavior during San Diego's inaugural season, which has been a big success on the field. The club currently sits second in MLS' Western Conference at 8-5-3. Fights also broke out at Snapdragon in April when Los Angeles FC visited, with social media video showing men with their faces covered fighting each other, police officers and security guards. San Diego FC's inaugural home match on March 1 was marred by three occurrences of the infamous homophobic chant frequently heard at the Mexican national team's soccer matches. The club condemned the chants and implored fans to stop. ___
Los Angeles Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
San Diego FC bans 33 fans after stadium brawl with Galaxy supporters
San Diego FC has issued indefinite bans to 33 people who apparently participated in a violent brawl after the club's match against the Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium on May 24. The expansion San Diego club announced Friday that the fans are prohibited from attending home and away matches. The club will work with law enforcement and Major League Soccer to enforce the bans, and further action could be taken. 'The behavior exhibited by these individuals is entirely unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as a club,' San Diego FC said in a statement. 'We seek to create matchdays that are safe, welcoming and respectful environments for all fans. Snapdragon Stadium officials have assured us that they will enhance security protocols to ensure safety at stadium events.' A prolonged, vicious brawl broke out in the stands following San Diego's dramatic 2-1 victory over the Galaxy on May 24. Much of the fighting was particularly dangerous because it occurred in the front row of the upper deck of the Snapdragon stands, with some of the combatants coming perilously close to tumbling over the railing. Even more fights occurred later in the stadium's parking lots, according to fans who posted video on social media. 'We want an atmosphere that is passionate, inclusive, and secure — where everyone in San Diego feels proud to come together as one community to celebrate the game we love,' the club statement continued. 'There is no place for violence in our sport.' The brawls were yet another chapter of dismaying fan behavior during San Diego's inaugural season, which has been a big success on the field. The club currently sits second in Western Conference at 8-5-3. Fights also broke out at Snapdragon in April when LAFC visited, with social media video showing men with their faces covered fighting each other, police officers and security guards. San Diego FC's inaugural home match on March 1 was marred by three occurrences of the infamous homophobic chant frequently heard at the Mexican national team's soccer matches. The club condemned the chants and implored fans to stop. San Diego hosts Austin FC on Saturday. Beacham writes for the Associated Press.
