The MLS was given one of the only chances out of all of the leagues in the world to get a third team in the Club World Cup. LAFC got the right to participate in the qualification gifted to them with no real reason why they were selected.
Many fans across the world were upset that the MLS and Liga MX were selected rather than other big clubs in European leagues that won major titles in the most recent year.
With their complaints being valid, LAFC had a golden opportunity and almost saw it slip away in the second half. Club America was the Liga MX club that believed they were advancing to the competition. Club America has a large fan base and a large market, thanks to being from Mexico City.
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A Miracle in the City of Angels
LAFC fell to a one-goal deficit in the 64th minute after a penalty shot went in favor of Club America. Chance after chance went by for LAFC, but nothing seemed to go in for the MLS representative.
Substituting a few key subs in the last ten minutes of the game was the boost that this squad needed to earn the game-tying goal.
In the final minute of play, Igor Jesus sent the game-tying ball into the net, in what could be considered one of the most crucial goals in LAFC history. Extra time went to the second half, nearing a shootout to decide who would be going to the Club World Cup.
At the 115 mark, Denis Bouanga sent the home crowd into a frenzy with a game-winning goal with little to no time left to play.
Both goals by LAFC were final-minute thrillers at the brink of elimination, with the home supporters on the edge of their seats waiting for a moment to celebrate.
What does this mean for the MLS?
The MLS only benefits from this by having at least one of its teams advance to the knockout rounds. It will be a tough task, but it allows a greater chance for an MLS team to get the luck of the draw on points.
An MLS team winning a game and advancing to the knockouts will bring more eyes to the MLS from fans across the world.
The MLS season peaks during the offseason for leagues across the world. Fans want another league to watch and consume while their teams are off till late August.
The reason now fans across the world don’t watch the MLS is because they believe that the American league is a retirement home for old stars from Europe. The MLS wants to take this chance to prove that they should be viewed as a serious league and a fun one to watch when their teams are no longer playing.
The USA as a whole is trying to be respected in the world’s game. One way for them to earn that respect is by getting one of their MLS teams to overachieve in a world competition like this one.
Credit IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date 30.05.2025