Club América outlasts LAFC in 7-round shootout at SoFi Stadium
2 years ago
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LAFC forward Brian Rodriguez (17) vies for the ball against a Club América defender during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Brian Rodriguez dribbles the ball against Club América midfielder Richard Sanchez during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Arango dribbles the ball in front of Club América defender Sebastian Caceres during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Kwadwo Opolu takes a shot on goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Kwadwo Opolu, center, kicks the ball as he tries to navigate through Club América defenders during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Sebastian Mendez dribbles the ball against Club América midfielder Iker Moreno during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo looks on during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. América won in a seven-round penalty shootout, 6-5. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Latif Blessing takes a shot on goal as Club América goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez looks to deny him during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Arango, left, kicks the ball past Club América defender Sebastian Caceres during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Mamadou Fall, left, tackles Club America forward Federico Vinas during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Club America forward Federico Vinas screams after being tackled by LAFC defender Mamadou Fall during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Fall received a yellow card on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fans light flares during the first half of a Leagues Cup Showcase match between LAFC and Club America on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead, right, takes on Club América defender Bruno Valdez (18) during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. América won in a seven-round penalty shootout, 6-5. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Club America goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez yells at his teammates during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against LAFC on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LAFC defender Sebastien Ibeagha, left, and Club America forward Roman Martinez try to head the ball during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LAFC forward Cristian Arango, right, heads the ball while Club America defender Mauricio Reyes watches during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Club America midfielder Emilio Lara kicks the ball during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against LAFC on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LAFC defender Eddie Segura, left, and Club America forward Federico Vinas try to head the ball during the first half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LAFC defender Franco Escobar, right, is upended by Club América midfielder Richard Sanchez during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela kicks the ball up the field during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Diego Palacios looks to pass as Club América midfielder Sebastian Martinez defends during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Sebastian Ibeagha heads the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Gareth Bale looks to pass during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez, front, fends off Club América midfielder Richard Sanchez during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Mamadou Fall moves the ball past Club América midfielder Pedro Aquino during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy catches the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC fans cheer during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes (20) maneuvers through multiple Club América defenders during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Sebastian Ibeagha kicks the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Jesus Murillo, right, heads the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Giorgio Chiellini warms up on the sidelines during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Gareth Bale (11) kicks the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela kicks the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Gareth Bale kicks the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Club América fans release yellow smoke during the second half of their Leagues Cup Showcase match against LAFC on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Club America midfielder Emilio Lara, left, scores on LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy during the penalty shootout portion of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Club America won the seven-round shootout, 6-5. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Club America midfielder Emilio Lara smiles after scoring on LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy during the penalty shootout that decided their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Club America won the seven-round shootout, 6-5. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes takes the final penalty shootout attempt, which he missed over the crossbar, during their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes, left, kicks the ball over the crossbar as Club America goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez dives during the penalty shootout portion of their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The miss gave Club America the win. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Club America goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez, left, celebrates after LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes kicked his shot during a penalty shootout in their Leagues Cup Showcase match, giving Club America the win on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Club América fans celebrate after their team defeated LAFC, 6-5, in a seven-round penalty shootout to win a Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela, left, shares a moment with Club América goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, right, prior to their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Gareth Bale walks on to the field prior to their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans react to the camera at the end of a Leagues Cup Showcase match between LAFC and Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela walks on the field prior to their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC and Club América starters line up in front of a cloud of yellow smoke prior to their Leagues Cup Showcase match on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC’s starting 11 pose for a portrait prior to their Leagues Cup Showcase match against Club América on Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
INGLEWOOD — Before an announced crowd of 71,189 at SoFi Stadium, the first soccer event at Los Angeles’ host site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup drew a larger gathering than February’s Super Bowl.
Meeting on a grass field that was laid down especially for Wednesday night’s Leagues Cup Showcase – a pair of exhibition matches between the Galaxy and Chivas de Guadalajara followed by the Los Angeles Football Club versus Club América – the Major League Soccer and Liga MX sides split.
After the Galaxy won the opening match, 2-0, America downed LAFC following a scoreless 90 minutes and seven rounds of penalties (6-5). The shootout ended when LAFC’s José Cifuente put his kick over the goal and up into the stands after América’s Emilio Lara converted his attempt.
“I think we saw two interesting games tonight,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “Two different games. And all four teams were at an equal level tonight.
“It was a high-intensity game. It was fun. It was good. It was exactly how we want to play so it furthers our endeavor and keeps us closer to our game model, which I was happy with.”
Club América coach Fernando Ortiz shared similar sentiments.
“Spectacular. Fantastic,” Ortiz said of the neighborly competition, calling SoFi Stadium “an international venue” and “a wonderful experience.”
“Thinking forward to the World Cup, this will be bananas,” Cherundolo said of the venue.
Showcasing the depth and quality of his MLS-points leading roster, Cherundolo’s starting lineup went without its three current MLS All-Stars (Carlos Vela, Diego Palacios and Ilie Sanchez).
On the bench, they were joined by Cifuentes, the club’s Player of the Month in July, as well as the starting center back duo of Jesus Murillo and Giorgio Chiellini, regular goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, and, for good measure, Gareth Bale.
By the time the match was over, only four of LAFC’s 23 available players did not participate.
“Tonight we could have fielded two very good teams,” Cherundolo said, “and that’s how our roster is built.”
Through the first 45 minutes, LAFC didn’t appear to miss its first-choice players.
Several dangerous chances led by Cristian Arango, Kwadwo Opoku and, in his first start since June 26, dynamic winger Brian Rodriguez, challenged América goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez, one of several substitutes featured by Ortiz throughout the match
Sebastian Mendez’s inclusion in LAFC’s midfield and Mamadou Fall’s second appearance since the end of May added to the team’s defensive bite and helped repel América despite the Mexican club’s advantage in possession.
Fall was nearly sent off in the 42nd minute when referee Victor Rivas showed the talented 19-year-old Senagalese a red card after a leaping two-footed tackle. Following a video review, Rivas changed the infraction to a yellow card after determining that Fall made a play on the ball.
With the exception of two “young defender errors,” Cherundolo said Fall played a good game.
Fall and backup goalkeeper John McCarthy were the lone LAFC players to stay on the pitch for the duration of the match.
Scoreless at the half, Cherundolo ushered on Vela, whose appearance earned cheers and jeers from the packed stands. Sanchez and reserve forward Caleb Jennings, who moved higher into the rotation following LAFC’s trade of Danny Musovski to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday (for $250,000 in general allocation money), joined the fray too.
After play resumed, América produced a quality 15 minutes but was denied by McCarthy. Making his first appearance since May 14, McCarthy made four saves, matching Jimenez.
Fall made a goal-line clearance to keep out Lara’s blistering shot from inside the box in the 51st minute.
Both sides brought on multiple substitutions with 30 minutes left, as LAFC added Bale, Cifuentes, Murillo, Palacios and Franco Escobar.
Tied after the end of regulation, the preview of next year’s Leagues Cup – a month-long tournament pitting all 47 MLS and Liga MX teams with North American bragging rights and CONCACAF Champions League berths on the line – went to penalty kicks in front of more than 1,400 LAFC supporters at the north end of the stadium.
With all four fan bases sticking around until the end of the night, “I think they proved why it’s a big deal and why they’re trying to do it and implementing it next year, because you get 70,000 fans out here that are going crazy for a team that they don’t get to see very often,” LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead said. “I think they proved why it’s going to be an important thing for our league and Liga MX. It’s good competition for the two leagues.”
While LAFC did not practice penalty kicks in the leadup to the match, the experience of going through them at SoFi was a “test,” said LAFC’s Sanchez, who converted his opportunities.
Misses by Palacios and Cifuentes, who skied his shot well over the bar to seal the match for América, give the club something to practice as the postseason approaches this fall.
“When the playoffs come hopefully we don’t have to go through penalties,” Sanchez said, “but we will be ready.”
Bale, who continues to build up his fitness since joining LAFC last month, took and coolly converted the fifth penalty shot during the shootout.
“His fitness is improving, and we expect to add more minutes in the league moving forward,” Cherundolo said.
LAFC, on pace to win the Supporters’ Shield for the second time in its five seasons of existence, resumes league play on Saturday against Real Salt Lake in Utah.
