Latest news with #Rodriguez
France 24
8 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
LAFC qualify for Club World Cup with win over Club America
The team from Mexico City looked to have booked their place - and the guaranteed $9.5 million participation reward - after a penalty from former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez in the 64th minute. But Brazilian Igor Jesus's 89th minute header for LAFC took the game into extra-time and five minutes from the end of the second period Bouanga drilled home the dramatic winner. It was a game with high stakes played in front of a boisterous crowd divided between the two teams and the tension was palpable from the outset. But it was the Californian club, who only began life in MLS seven years ago, who triumphed and earned a spot in the first edition of the expanded 32-team FIFA tournament. LAFC will line up in Group D of the Club World Cup, where they will face Premier League side Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Esperance Tunis of Tunisia in the tournament which gets under way on June 14. The one-off 'play-in' match came about following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club Leon from the tournament. Leon were barred because the club is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, who are also taking part in the tournament. LAFC were given the chance on the basis of finishing as runners-up to Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. America, founded 108 years ago, were handed the opportunity due to their status as the "top-ranked team" in confederation rankings. While LAFC had the nominal home field advantage, at their BMO Stadium, California is home to many Club America fans and the result was a de facto neutral venue. The atmosphere was electric but chances were rare in the opening half with the Mexican team enjoying the better possession but causing few problems for LA's former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. But when Mark Delgado's challenge on Erick Sanchez in the box was ruled a foul, after a VAR review, substitute Rodriguez kept his cool and sent Lloris the wrong way to put America ahead. Rodriguez had a chance to secure the outcome 10 minutes later but he floated his shot wide. The introduction of former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the 74th minute proved to be decisive, however, with the 38-year-old's presence causing plenty of problems for the America back line. Thundering header Giroud's improvised shot with the outside of his foot forced Luis Malagon into a save and moments later the Club America keeper kept out a header from the Frenchman. With just a minute of normal time remaining, LAFC grabbed a lifeline when a Bouanga corner was met with a thundering header from Jesus. LAFC almost won the game in regulation but Malagon did brilliantly to keep out a cross/shot from Timothy Tillman that was heading towards the top corner. Then it was extra-time and with penalties looming, Frankie Amaya fed a ball in to Giroud on the edge of the box who laid off to the on-rushing Bouanga whose fierce shot took a wicked deflection and flashed past the helpless Malagon. The France-born Gabon international has scored 80 goals for LA, in all competitions, since joining the club from Saint Etienne in 2022 but none more valuable than this one. The win ensures that the tournament host nation will have three competing teams from Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami already in the competition. The tournament concludes with a final in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13 with the winner taking home over $100 million.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
LAFC qualify for Club World Cup with win over Club America
DENIS Bouanga grabbed a dramatic extra-time winner to send Los Angeles FC into the Club World Cup with a 2-1 (aet) win over Mexico's Club America on Saturday. The team from Mexico City looked to have booked their place - and the guaranteed $9.5 million participation reward - after a penalty from former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez in the 64th minute. But Brazilian Igor Jesus's 89th minute header for LAFC took the game into extra-time and five minutes from the end of the second period Bouanga drilled home the dramatic winner. It was a game with high stakes played in front of a boisterous crowd divided between the two teams and the tension was palpable from the outset. But it was the Californian club, who only began life in MLS seven years ago, who triumphed and earned a spot in the first edition of the expanded 32-team FIFA tournament. LAFC will line up in Group D of the Club World Cup, where they will face Premier League side Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Esperance Tunis of Tunisia in the tournament which gets under way on June 14. The one-off 'play-in' match came about following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club Leon from the tournament. Leon were barred because the club is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, who are also taking part in the tournament. LAFC were given the chance on the basis of finishing as runners-up to Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. America, founded 108 years ago, were handed the opportunity due to their status as the 'top-ranked team' in confederation rankings. While LAFC had the nominal home field advantage, at their BMO Stadium, California is home to many Club America fans and the result was a de facto neutral venue. The atmosphere was electric but chances were rare in the opening half with the Mexican team enjoying the better possession but causing few problems for LA's former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. But when Mark Delgado's challenge on Erick Sanchez in the box was ruled a foul, after a VAR review, substitute Rodriguez kept his cool and sent Lloris the wrong way to put America ahead. Rodriguez had a chance to secure the outcome 10 minutes later but he floated his shot wide. The introduction of former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the 74th minute proved to be decisive, however, with the 38-year-old's presence causing plenty of problems for the America back line. - Thundering header - Giroud's improvised shot with the outside of his foot forced Luis Malagon into a save and moments later the Club America keeper kept out a header from the Frenchman. With just a minute of normal time remaining, LAFC grabbed a lifeline when a Bouanga corner was met with a thundering header from Jesus. LAFC almost won the game in regulation but Malagon did brilliantly to keep out a cross/shot from Timothy Tillman that was heading towards the top corner. Then it was extra-time and with penalties looming, Frankie Amaya fed a ball in to Giroud on the edge of the box who laid off to the on-rushing Bouanga whose fierce shot took a wicked deflection and flashed past the helpless Malagon. The France-born Gabon international has scored 80 goals for LA, in all competitions, since joining the club from Saint Etienne in 2022 but none more valuable than this one. The win ensures that the tournament host nation will have three competing teams from Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami already in the competition. The tournament concludes with a final in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13 with the winner taking home over $100 million.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Kepler Capital Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Befesa S.A. (BFSA)
In a report released on May 28, Juan Rodriguez from Kepler Capital maintained a Buy rating on Befesa S.A. (BFSA – Research Report), with a price target of €37.00. The company's shares closed yesterday at €27.78. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Rodriguez is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 7.3% and a 58.30% success rate. Rodriguez covers the Utilities sector, focusing on stocks such as Elia System Operator SA/NV, Veolia Environnement, and Severn Trent. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Befesa S.A. with a €34.71 average price target, representing a 24.95% upside. In a report released on May 26, Jefferies also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a €38.00 price target.
2 days ago
- Politics
What's in a name? A small fortune for businesses around Fort Bragg
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- When it came to a picking a name for his business, Ralph Rodriguez rolled the dice. He went with Fort Liberty Pawn & Gun. It's going to cost him about $30,000. 'That's signage, uniforms, stationery, business cards, advertising, and state licensing changes and federal changes,' he said. When he was filing his incorporation papers last fall, Rodriguez knew one of President Donald Trump's campaign promises was to restore the names of Confederate officers — like Gen. Braxton Bragg — to military installations rebranded under the Biden administration. But it seemed to Rodriguez that he should go with the installation's name as it was at the time. 'We were trying to attach ourselves to the military base and show support for them, because we know that's going to be our customers," he said with a shrug. "I could care less about Braxton Bragg.' Less than a month into Trump's second term, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the installation rechristened Fort Bragg, this time in honor of World War II paratrooper Roland Bragg of Maine. Two things immediately went through Rodriguez's mind. 'The first thing I said was, `It's going to be expensive.' And the second thing was, `Who's going to get mad about THIS?'' People were telling Rodriguez he should call his shop Fort Bragg Pawn & Gun even before Trump won the election. After all, it's located on Fort Bragg Road. Then shortly before the grand opening in December, someone vandalized his sign. 'We came to work and we seen a yellow line across the `Liberty,'' he said. Rodriguez is used to catching flak for his Michigan roots or the peace sign tattoo on his right arm. And then there's his wife's crystal shop next door. 'My customers call her side the `liberal containment center,'' he said with a chuckle. And what do her customers call his? '`Trumpers,'' he said. 'Or, you know, `mega gun nuts.'' As a sop to her husband's clientele, Hannah Rodriguez carries a few stones carved in the shape of pistols and hand grenades. 'Crystals and pistols,' she said with a giggle. But when it comes to Bragg vs. Liberty, it's no laughing matter. 'Look, there's no middle ground in Fayetteville. They're extremely either right or left,' Ralph Rodriguez said. 'If you tilt one way or another man, you're going to lose customers ... But we would definitely have lost more if we would have kept it Fort Liberty Pawn and Gun.' Several other businesses in and around Fayetteville also went with Liberty, including the local federal credit union. It has already changed back, though it will take a while to redo all the signs. At least one company is sticking with the name Liberty. 'We came up with this whole name based on the alliteration, because I'm a big writer geek,' said Sabrina Soares, broker in charge at the real estate firm Fort Liberty Living. 'So, we're probably just going to keep it as is.' In 2023, the state spent $163,000 to change all the Fort Bragg highway signs to Fort Liberty. Switching them back is expected to run over $200,000. Rodriguez figures he got off easy. On a recent sultry afternoon, retired Army officer and mayoral candidate Freddie de la Cruz stopped by to chat and check up on a purchase: a semiautomatic 12-gauge shotgun, painted with the Stars and Stripes, which he's planning to raffle off. He said Rodriguez shouldn't be so hard on himself. 'It was a smart move there,' he said. 'At the time.' Retired Army Master Sgt. Sidney High said he has no problem coming into a shop called Fort Liberty. 'It doesn't bother me at all,' he said, resting his cola on a glass gun case. 'I call it Fort Bragg all the time anyway. So, it doesn't make any difference to me.' Rodriguez figures it will take about six months to get everything switched over. He's looking forward to putting this chapter behind him. 'I just want to be in business,' he said. 'I want to be happy. I want everybody else to be happy. And it's hard. It's hard, and you can't keep both sides happy.'
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
What's in a name? A small fortune for businesses around Fort Bragg
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — When it came to a picking a name for his business, Ralph Rodriguez rolled the dice. He went with Fort Liberty Pawn & Gun. It's going to cost him about $30,000. 'That's signage, uniforms, stationery, business cards, advertising, and state licensing changes and federal changes,' he said. When he was filing his incorporation papers last fall, Rodriguez knew one of President Donald Trump's campaign promises was to restore the names of Confederate officers — like Gen. Braxton Bragg — to military installations rebranded under the Biden administration. But it seemed to Rodriguez that he should go with the installation's name as it was at the time. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We were trying to attach ourselves to the military base and show support for them, because we know that's going to be our customers,' he said with a shrug. 'I could care less about Braxton Bragg.' Less than a month into Trump's second term, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the installation rechristened Fort Bragg, this time in honor of World War II paratrooper Roland Bragg of Maine. Two things immediately went through Rodriguez's mind. 'The first thing I said was, `It's going to be expensive.' And the second thing was, `Who's going to get mad about THIS?'' People were telling Rodriguez he should call his shop Fort Bragg Pawn & Gun even before Trump won the election. After all, it's located on Fort Bragg Road. Then shortly before the grand opening in December, someone vandalized his sign. 'We came to work and we seen a yellow line across the `Liberty,'' he said. Rodriguez is used to catching flak for his Michigan roots or the peace sign tattoo on his right arm. And then there's his wife's crystal shop next door. 'My customers call her side the `liberal containment center,'' he said with a chuckle. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW And what do her customers call his? '`Trumpers,'' he said. 'Or, you know, `mega gun nuts.'' As a sop to her husband's clientele, Hannah Rodriguez carries a few stones carved in the shape of pistols and hand grenades. 'Crystals and pistols,' she said with a giggle. But when it comes to Bragg vs. Liberty, it's no laughing matter. 'Look, there's no middle ground in Fayetteville. They're extremely either right or left,' Ralph Rodriguez said. 'If you tilt one way or another man, you're going to lose customers ... But we would definitely have lost more if we would have kept it Fort Liberty Pawn and Gun.' Several other businesses in and around Fayetteville also went with Liberty, including the local federal credit union. It has already changed back, though it will take a while to redo all the signs. At least one company is sticking with the name Liberty. 'We came up with this whole name based on the alliteration, because I'm a big writer geek,' said Sabrina Soares, broker in charge at the real estate firm Fort Liberty Living. 'So, we're probably just going to keep it as is.' In 2023, the state spent $163,000 to change all the Fort Bragg highway signs to Fort Liberty. Switching them back is expected to run over $200,000. Rodriguez figures he got off easy. On a recent sultry afternoon, retired Army officer and mayoral candidate Freddie de la Cruz stopped by to chat and check up on a purchase: a semiautomatic 12-gauge shotgun, painted with the Stars and Stripes, which he's planning to raffle off. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He said Rodriguez shouldn't be so hard on himself. 'It was a smart move there,' he said. 'At the time.' Retired Army Master Sgt. Sidney High said he has no problem coming into a shop called Fort Liberty. 'It doesn't bother me at all,' he said, resting his cola on a glass gun case. 'I call it Fort Bragg all the time anyway. So, it doesn't make any difference to me.' Rodriguez figures it will take about six months to get everything switched over. He's looking forward to putting this chapter behind him. 'I just want to be in business,' he said. 'I want to be happy. I want everybody else to be happy. And it's hard. It's hard, and you can't keep both sides happy.' Just to be safe, he's keeping both names on the paperwork.
