LAFC were the last team to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, but got one of the hardest opponents of any participating clubs in their opening match, as they prepare to line up against England's Chelsea.
While Denis Bouanga and Igor Jesus led the Black and Gold past Liga MX’s Club América in a one-match play-in to replace the disqualified Club Léon in the tournament, the recent Conference League winners pose a significantly more challenging task.
Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud will take on his former side, but will not be the main piece for head coach Steve Cherundolo’s team, with that honor going to Bouanga, who has eight goals and four assists in MLS regular season play at the halfway mark.
Despite the challenge, LAFC have plenty of experience in tournament situations. Last season, they won the 2024 U.S. Open Cup, and previously claimed the 2022 MLS Cup and advanced to the final of the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup, where they lost to the aforementioned Léon.
Pulling off an upset against the fourth-placed team from the most recent Premier League season won’t be easy. However, LAFC will hope they can at least adapt to the new tournament, as look ahead to more even matchups against Brazil’s Flamengo and Tunisia’s E.S. Tunis.
Here’s how Cherundolo could line up his Black and Gold on Monday.
Watch the FIFA Club World Cup live and on-demand here
