After a stellar 2024 MLS campaign, LAFC's rocky start to 2025 is over – will it translate in the Club World Cup?
They arrived in unorthodox fashion, but LAFC are Club World Cup-bound, and they're out to put the world on notice.
The have been one of the league's best teams in recent years, and they're heading into the competition spearheaded by Denis Bouanga and two former world champions with France in 2018, Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud.
The club has won four major trophies since its arrival in 2018, with two Supporters' Shields, the 2022 MLS Cup, and the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship title. They will look to translate that to the Club World Cup stage.
In the final months of manager Steve Cherundolo's contract, a top performance in the competition would be a storyline ending for the former U.S. international on the touchline, while adding further lore to the history books of the league and the club itself. The question that remains for them heading into it, though, is whether they can compete. A tough group awaits them, but with talent like Bouanga, Giroud, and Lloris in the mix, anything is possible.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.
Next up is LAFC, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for one of three MLS representatives at the tournament.
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now(C)Getty imagesThe Basics
DOMESTIC LEAGUE: MLS
CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: First appearance
GROUP: D (Esperance de Tunis, Flamengo, LAFC, Chelsea)
OPENING MATCH: Chelsea – June 16, 3 p.m. ET, Atlanta
AdvertisementHow they got here
LAFC qualified via the single-game playoff against Club America on May 31. LAFC were selected for the playoff game due to their recent success in MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup. In addition to their domestic success, they also reached the final of the 2023 Champions Cup, finishing as runners-up.
FIFA scheduled the playoff after removing Club Leon from the CWC for violations of multi-team ownership rules.
Getty Images SportThe player to watch
Bouanga is a magician on the pitch. The scorer of their game-winner against Club America in the playoff, the Gabon international has placed himself in the history books of MLS with the alongside Carlos Vela, Gareth Bale, among others.
A lightning-quick winger who can cut in on his spectacular right foot, Bouanga is a menace across the entirety of the final-third and will be their most important player in the competition.
Another name to watch, though, will be Giroud. The France legend's time in MLS has been underwhelming – and even that might be a compliment – however, he's someone with experience in competitions like these. He has the pedigree of being a serial winner behind him, having won the World Cup internationally along with the UEFA Champions League and two league titles on the club level.
Could this be his platform to show the LAFC faithful it was all worth it?
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Getty ImagesRealistic expectation
Realistically, LAFC are just happy to be competing. However, there's a pathway into the knockouts if they play their cards right. Their opening match against Chelsea won't be an easy one, and a loss is a rather acceptable result as they are massive underdogs. However, against both Fluminense and Esperance, there's an opportunity.
Against their Tunisian opposition, LAFC should be looking to get three points and nothing less. One of the smallest clubs in the tournament, Esperance, are the biggest underdogs in the group. In order to advance, LAFC must win that game.
Their biggest match of the opening round will be against Flamengo. LAFC needs a result here regardless of their other two performances, whether that is a win or a draw; however, three points could put them in pole position to advance if they beat Esperance, as well.
Realistically, LAFC can escape the group, but they need at least one win, and then another result, at minimum.