Tag: LAFC

France legend Giroud makes LAFC debut in Leagues Cup win

The veteran forward came on as a second-half substitute in an easy win

Olivier Giroud made his LAFC debut on Tuesday night as the club defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in the Leagues Cup round of 16.

Giroud came on 71 minutes into the match at BMO Stadium, with the home fans giving the France striker a huge ovation upon his entrance.

LAFC was up 4-1 at the time of Giroud’s entrance, which would end up as the final score.

“I was looking forward to playing on this pitch in front of this amazing crowd, my family and friends also,” Giroud said after the game.

“I received a warm welcome from everyone at the club, the staff and the players, everyone is working as a club. I felt like I was welcomed like a part of the family. I wish I could play even more than tonight, but obviously it’s better to restart step by step and I’m looking forward to the next game.”

The 37-year-old signed for LAFC in May, but wasn’t eligible to play for the MLS club until the transfer window opened in July.

In the meantime, Giroud made four appearances for France at Euro 2024, with the nation’s all-time leading men’s scorer calling time on his international career after his country’s run ended in the semifinal.

Next up for LAFC is a Leagues Cup quarterfinal at the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night. The winner will face either Club América or the Colorado Rapids in the semifinals.

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Cherundolo doesn’t exactly deny he’s in the mix for USMNT head coach

The LAFC coach couldn’t guarantee he’d be sticking around for the entire season

Steve Cherundolo seems to be aware he is a legitimate candidate for the vacant U.S. men’s national team coaching job.

U.S. Soccer dismissed Gregg Berhalter on Wednesday, with sporting director Matt Crocker saying that a search for a new USMNT boss is already underway.

One of the leading candidates appears to be LAFC head coach Cherundolo, who has developed a strong reputation since taking over the MLS side in 2022.

The 45-year-old won MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield in his first season in charge, and has LAFC at the top of the Western Conference this season as well.

Cherundolo was a stalwart at right back for the USMNT for more than a decade and played his entire club career with German side Hannover 96, where he also began his coaching career.

Coincidentally, Cherundolo found himself speaking to the press on Wednesday just hours after Berhalter was fired, as LAFC defeated New Mexico United 3-1 in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match.

In his post-game press conference, Cherundolo was asked about the now-vacant USMNT job, and opted to keep his answer vague.

“I think it wouldn’t be the right time to speak about other things,” he said. “I’m LAFC coach, and I am very proud to be LAFC’s coach and we have something really good going here, and we’re excited to be in the semifinals. So I understand the ask but I am going to talk about LAFC tonight.”

But when a reporter followed up by asking if Cherundolo intended to be LAFC coach for the remainder of the season, the coach let his guard slip.

“I am LAFC head coach right now and that is my job, what I do every single day,” he said, clearly fighting hard to suppress more information.

“Tomorrow morning training is at 11:15 and I will be there for that.”

Watch Cherundolo address USMNT speculation

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Giroud confirms MLS move as striker announces AC Milan departure

The is set to join longtime international teammate Hugo Lloris with LAFC

Veteran striker Olivier Giroud has announced he will leave AC Milan to continue his career in MLS.

The 37-year-old has been reported to be on his way to Los Angeles FC, where he’ll sign after leaving Milan as a free agent at the end of the current campaign.

On Monday, the France striker made his Milan departure official in a video released through the club’s official media channels.

“I’m here to tell you the next two games will be my last for Milan,” Giroud said. “My career will continue in MLS.

“I’m very, very proud of everything I’ve done for Milan in these three years. It’s the right time to announce it. Sorry, I’m a bit emotional. My story with Milan ends this year but Milan will remain in my heart forever.”

Giroud is tied for fourth in the Serie A scoring charts this season, tallying 14 league goals for the Rossoneri. The striker helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2021-22, his first season with the club after joining from Chelsea.

With 57 goals in 131 caps, Giroud is France’s all-time leading men’s national team scorer. He is expected to be part of the team’s roster this summer for Euro 2024.

After that tournament, the forward is set to join longtime international teammate Hugo Lloris with the Black & Gold.

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Giroud reportedly set for LAFC move this summer

Giroud could well be linking up with France teammate Hugo Lloris in the near future

Olivier Giroud is set to be the latest big name to move from Europe to MLS.

Per The Athletic, the AC Milan striker is in the final stages of contract talks with Los Angeles FC over a summer transfer that would come once his contract with the Rossoneri expires.

Giroud, 37, would join fellow France veteran Hugo Lloris on LAFC’s roster should the move go through. The MLS summer transfer window opens on July 18, less than a week after the end of Euro 2024.

With 56 goals in 130 caps, Giroud — France’s all-time leading scorer on the men’s side — is still a pivotal player for les Bleus, and barring injury is expected to play in that tournament.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that LAFC made a formal offer in recent days, with both sides nearing an agreement.

Giroud has had a strong season in Milan, leading the line as Stefano Pioli’s first-choice striker. In 36 total appearances this season, Giroud has a team-leading 14 goals, while his nine assists are third-best on the squad.

Should the move come off, Giroud will give LAFC an out-and-out No. 9 presence that the club has lacked since Cristian “Chicho” Arango’s departure after the 2022 season. Last year, Carlos Vela largely functioned as a false No. 9; since the Mexican forward’s departure this winter, that role has gone to midfielder Mateusz Bogusz.

The club has certainly worked to keep the door open for a signing in line with Giroud, with 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Dénis Bouanga currently LAFC’s only Designated Player. Steve Cherundolo’s side has had a history with signing prominent, aging European stars, with Gareth Bale playing a critical role in the club’s 2022 MLS Cup triumph.

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This MLS playoff race is an absolute mess

Put on your boots, because we’re about to wade into a mess

The race for the MLS playoffs is promising that Decision Day will be as bonkers as it ever has been.

The final day of the regular season is less than a month away, with 28 of the league’s 29 teams set for two breathless rounds of simultaneous kickoffs, one for each conference (sorry D.C. United, you’re just going to have to follow along at home).

There’s an old MLS truism that a team just needs to stay in touch until late August or so, and that if said team can start to heat up around Labor Day, you’re looking at a major threat coming from what on paper is a low playoff seed. Plenty of teams with multiple MLS Cups in their trophy case have at least one season where they followed this plan to a tee.

However, in 2023 it’s not so much about getting hot at the right time as simply ending up next to an empty seat during a poorly-played game of musical chairs. Seven teams have clinched their playoff berths already, and two more are simply abysmal.

That leaves 20 teams vying for 11 postseason spots in what is an extraordinarily forgiving set-up. The problem is that almost none of this group seems able to get a solid hold on their invite to the big dance.

Put on your boots, because we’re about to wade into a mess:

Campeones Cup 2023: How to watch LAFC vs. Tigres

Bragging rights are on the line as reigning league champions from MLS and Liga MX face off

Bragging rights and a trophy will be on the line on Wednesday night as Los Angeles FC and Tigres face off in the 2023 Campeones Cup.

The game at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles will be the fifth edition of the Campeones Cup, which is held between the reigning champions of MLS Cup and the Campeón de Campeones from Liga MX.

LAFC won a thrilling 2022 MLS Cup on penalties over the Philadelphia Union while Tigres, the reigning Liga MX Clausura champion, beat Pachuca, the reigning Apertura champion, in the 2023 Campeón de Campeones.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch the Campeones Cup on Apple TV” link=”https://apple.co/463Mnpf”]

MLS is hoping to make it four straight Campeones Cup titles, with NYCFC defeating Atlas 2-0 in last year’s match. Tigres is the only Liga MX team to win the prize, having defeated Toronto FC in the inaugural Campeones Cup in 2018.

For LAFC, the game will also be a shot at redemption after it fell to Club Léon in June’s CONCACAF Champions League final.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday’s game.

How to watch LAFC vs. Tigres

  • When: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
  • Time: 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
  • Where: BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, California
  • Channel/streaming: Apple TV

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch LAFC vs Tigres on Apple TV” link=”https://apple.co/463Mnpf”]

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Half of Hollywood watches Messi, Inter Miami crush LAFC

Messi now has 11 goals and eight assists in just 11 games with the Herons

Of all of the stars at BMO Stadium on Sunday night, Lionel Messi unsurprisingly shined the brightest.

Messi and Inter Miami rolled past LAFC 3-1, in a game that saw some of the biggest names in Hollywood watch the continuation of Miami’s remarkable turnaround.

The likes of Selena Gomez, Prince Harry, Owen Wilson, Edward Norton, and Leonardo DiCaprio (and lots more!) witnessed what fans in South Florida and all over the country have seen in the last six weeks: Messi running the show.

Messi grabbed two assists as Inter Miami defeated the defending champions in a result that kept their playoff dreams very much alive. Facundo Farías opened the scoring 14 minutes in before Messi assisted Jordi Alba and Leo Campana in the second half.

After leading Inter Miami to a Leagues Cup title and the U.S. Open Cup final, Messi said after the game that he had his sights set on the biggest prize MLS has to offer.

“The group is growing more. I’ve been saying it since the beginning of all of this, we were lucky to get in a tournament and get to a final,” Messi told MLS Season Pass.

“Now, we’re going to look to hit the objective of being among the best eight to try and win the league. This is the way. We continue growing and obviously winning provides a lot of confidence.”

Even with Miami still one place off the bottom of the Eastern Conference and eight points from a playoff spot, who would want to bet against him?

Farías grabbed the opener with a tremendous improvised sliding finish, before Messi provided a pair of assists in the second half to put the game away. LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead grabbed a late consolation in the 90th minute.

Inter Miami has now gone 11 games unbeaten since Messi’s arrival, with the Argentine tallying an incredible 11 goals and eight assists in that timespan.

LAFC defender Giorgio Chiellini was fully impressed by Sunday night’s opponent — and he said it’s not just Messi, Alba and Sergio Busquets who are making Inter Miami such a force right now.

“It’s not just about the three guys from Barcelona. They built a really good team,” Chiellini said. “This team is the best by far that I have faced in the MLS, to be honest. By far.”

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Chargers donating minimum of $50,000 to Maui wildfire relief efforts

The Chargers are part of the effort to bring help to the island after devastating wildfires.

The Chargers are lending their support to help the survivors of the devastating wildfires on Maui. They are donating at least $50,000 to aid the relief efforts.

The Bolts, along with the other Los Angeles professional sports teams have committed to donating a combined $450,000 to the American Red Cross.

“The images and video coming out of Maui over the past week are heartbreaking,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said. “The destruction is beyond comprehension, and the loss of life is nothing short of tragic.

“This hits especially close to home when I think of the vibrant Hawaiian community here in Southern California and players past and present like [former linebacker] Manti Te’o and [safety] Alohi Gilman.”

Over 100 people were killed when wildfires swept through parts of the Hawaiian island.

“In the wake of recent events in Maui, the images, videos and stories of the past few days have struck a deeply personal chord with me,” Gilman said.

“Maui isn’t just a place on the map; it’s a part of my homeland, my connection to Hawaii. My heart resonates with the resilience of the people who lost their homes while also stepping up for their neighbors in need.”

The Chargers will donate their portion of their 50/50 raffle proceeds that they make during their preseason game against the Saints on Sunday.

Fans can start buying tickets when the gates open on Sunday until the end of the third quarter. They can be purchased on the concourse and at raffle kiosks throughout SoFi Stadium. The winning ticket number will be posted in-game on the video board during the fourth quarter.

Those who cannot attend the game can still donate to the American Red Cross to lend support.

“It’s been extremely heartening to see people from all walks of life rally around my people and return that love and support,” Te’o said.

“In life there are things that we simply cannot control, but what we can control is how we respond. This weekend is an opportunity for our Chargers ‘ohana to respond; to come together and assist Maui in its time of need.”

LA Galaxy-LAFC match at Rose Bowl sets MLS attendance record

The game at the Rose Bowl broke the previous record set last year at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte

Tuesday’s match between the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC broke the all-time MLS single-game attendance record, with an announced crowd of 82,110 at the Rose Bowl.

That crowd broke the previous record set in March 2022, when 74,479 fans packed Bank of America Stadium to see Charlotte FC face the Galaxy for the expansion club’s first home game.

The Galaxy defeated LAFC 2-1 on Tuesday behind a first-half stunner from Tyler Boyd and a second-half winner from the influential Riqui Puig, after Ilie Sánchez had equalized for LAFC.

“It was an exciting atmosphere to be honest,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said after the game. “For me, personally, to be back in the Rose Bowl, to see it full, to take a second and realize just how far this league has come since we kicked it off in ’96, to where it is now.

“The level of the two teams. The competition tonight. Quality of players on the field. All of it. It was just an incredible venue. Incredible atmosphere. And, a wonderful game that I think entertained. As these games always do.”

The Galaxy and LAFC were originally scheduled to play at the Rose Bowl on opening weekend of the 2023 MLS season, before inclement weather in Southern California moved the match from February to the Fourth of July.

The 20th match in the history of the El Tráfico rivalry was the first to be held at the iconic venue in Pasadena, California. The Galaxy now lead the all-time series with a 9W-6L-5D record.

Largest standalone match attendances in MLS history

July 4, 2023: LA Galaxy vs. LAFC — 82,110

March 5, 2022: Charlotte FC vs. LA Galaxy — 74,479

December 8, 2018: Atlanta United vs. Portland — 73,019 (MLS Cup)

August 3, 2019: Atlanta United vs. LA Galaxy — 72,548

July 15, 2018: Atlanta United vs. Seattle — 72,243

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Bale to Messi on playing in MLS: Relax dude, nobody cares if you lose

The former LAFC star has spoken about a “chilled” environment in MLS

Gareth Bale has advised Lionel Messi to not get too down if he drops a few games in MLS because in his eyes, there really are no consequences for losing in the league anyway.

Messi’s hugely anticipated move to Inter Miami is set to be sealed in the coming days, with the former Barcelona star following in the footsteps of ex-Real Madrid star Bale.

After spending only a half season in MLS with LAFC, Bale retired this winter following the World Cup. Bale did not see the field much in MLS as he struggled with injuries, but came through with a dramatic 128th-minute header to tie MLS Cup in a game LAFC would eventually win on penalties.

In an interview with BT Sport, Bale compared the life-or-death nature of every game at Real Madrid with what he described as the “chilled” vibe in MLS.

“It is a lot more chilled,” he said. “If you lose at [Real] Madrid, it is like the world has ended. You are crucified. You feel down. You go home and you’re not happy.

“They accept losing a bit more. There is no consequence. You can’t get relegated over there. When you lose a game you go on to the next one. They accept losing a lot better over there. They know how to lose but they celebrate every win like you have won the championship. He will definitely enjoy it.”

Longtime MLS defender A.J. DeLaGarza took umbrage with Bale’s remarks, noting that comparing Real Madrid to LAFC is not exactly apples to apples.

Bale has a point though, too: MLS teams don’t have the consequence of relegation, and 62 percent of the league’s teams will make the playoffs this season. But he is also a rich and famous global superstar who won MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield in his eight-month stay in the league. Perhaps Bale is not exactly the authority on what the consequence of failure in MLS really could be.

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