It was no secret what was at stake within the FIFA Membership World Cup play-in — tens of millions of {dollars}, a possible boon for the longer term. And with one shot, LAFC cashed in.
In a marathon match, Dénis Bouanga scored within the a hundred and fifteenth minute to raise LAFC to a 2-1 comeback win over Membership América at BMO Stadium on Saturday night time, pushing LAFC into the FIFA Membership World Cup.
Bouanga’s right-footed shot from exterior the field glanced off the left calf of América defender Miguel Vázquez, redirecting the ball into the again of the web and baffling goalkeeper Luis Malagón.
LAFC’s Nathan Ordaz tries to play the ball in opposition to Membership América’s Erick Sanchez on Saturday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
LAFC will obtain $9.55 million only for qualifying for the Membership World Cup, which begins June 14 and can happen in cities throughout the USA.
The participation payday is the equal of practically half of LAFC’s $20 million payroll — a possible boon for a workforce that might attempt to land a marquee star within the months forward. The win over Membership América means $1 million to be break up amongst LAFC’s 30 gamers.
As well as, the 64-team match will permit LAFC to lift its profile on the worldwide stage — Premier League blueblood Chelsea is among the many groups LAFC will face in group play. The entire prize pool for the Membership World Cup is greater than $1 billion.
It took some late-game heroics for LAFC to earn one among its greatest wins in franchise historical past.
Uruguayan winger Brian Rodriguez, who performed with LAFC from 2019 to 2022 earlier than being offered to América, scored on a penalty kick within the sixty fourth minute after LAFC’s Mark Delgado fouled Erick Sánchez. Rodríguez buried a right-footed shot previous the outstretched arms of LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to offer América a 1-0 lead.
LAFC refused to let victory slip away.
After placing relentless stress on the América protection for many of the second half, Igor Jesus scored on a header off a nook kick by Bouanga to tie the rating within the 89th minute.
Finally, Bouanga would show to be the hero in a recreation loaded with significance for the gamers, workforce and followers.
Everybody in BMO Stadium felt the burden of the matchup, with most of the dwelling crowd calling it the largest recreation within the membership’s historical past. Greater than any MLS Cup championship or CONCACAF Champions League closing. The gravity of the second was unmistakable — the implications of a loss, and the eventual magnitude of a win.
“It’s a $10-million payday, so it’s like a final,” LAFC fan Brett Sullivan stated.
