Los Angeles FC and Club America are set to clash in a $10 million game this Saturday, with the outcome determining who earns a spot in the Club World Cup. Following the removal of Club Leon due to multi-club ownership regulations, FIFA has instituted a playoff to finalize the Group D roster, alongside Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
LAFC secured their position by finishing as runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup, while Club America holds the top spot in the FIFA Club World Cup confederation rankings. The game will take place at BMO Stadium with a sold-out crowd expected to support the Black and Gold. Notably, two MLS teams, Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders, are already participating in the tournament, along with two Liga MX teams, Monterrey and CF Pachuca. Thus, the winner of this showdown will establish which league is represented by three teams.
How to Watch Los Angeles FC vs. Club America
- Date: Saturday, May 31
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Location: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California
- TV: TUDN
- Live Stream: Fubo (Trial available)
- Odds: LAFC +150; Draw +220; Club America +165
Last Meeting
In their previous encounter during the preseason, LAFC triumphed with a score of 2-1 back in February, aided by a goal from their key player, Denis Bouanga. Despite the match being friendly, Club America showcased their top players. Historically, LAFC has performed well against Liga MX teams, sporting five wins, five draws, and one loss. They even defeated Club America 3-1 in the 2020 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Predicted Lineups
- LAFC: Hugo Lloris, Ryan Hollingshead, Aaron Long, Eddie Segura, Sergi Palencia, Marco Delgado, Igor Jesus, Frankie Amaya, Denis Bouanga, Oliver Giroud, Nathan Ordaz
- Club America: Luis Malagon, Cristian Borja, Sebastian Caceres, Ramon Juarez, Israel Reyes, Kevin Alvarez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Jonathan Dos Santos, Erick Sanchez, Henry Martin, Alex Zendejas
Player to Watch
Denis Bouanga, LAFC: The primary target for Club America will be to contain Bouanga, who has an impressive record of 48 goals in just 84 games for LAFC, in addition to eight goals during playoff matches. His scoring ability might open up more opportunities for his teammates as they play before their home fans.
Storyline to Watch
Impact of Steve Cherundolo’s Departure: LAFC’s coach, Steve Cherundolo, announced he would be stepping down at the season’s end, raising concerns about the team’s performance as they currently sit sixth in the Western Conference following a recent 2-2 draw with CF Montreal. Players must step up against an aggressive Club America attack to ensure a solid defense.
Prediction: Expect Denis Bouanga’s consistent scoring to lead LAFC to a 2-1 victory over Club America, solidifying their place in the Club World Cup.
