Black & Gold Turn Focus Back To MLS After CWC Elimination

Written by Patrick Echatah

“All around disappointing. I can answer both your questions in one word.”

More Details

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo offered a brief summary of their FIFA Club World Cup run, which ended with a 1-0 elimination loss to ES Tunis on Friday night at GEODIS Park in Nashville.

“I just think our performance, individually but as a collective on top of that, just wasn’t good enough in the second half to win a game at the Club World Cup,” Cherundolo said. “The level is very high. Poor halves are going to be punished, and that’s what happened.”

The Black & Gold started Friday’s Group D showdown dominating the first half, but they faltered significantly in the second, unable to match Tunis’s energy.

A 70th-minute goal from Youcef Belaïli sealed their fate, as Denis Bouanga’s stoppage-time penalty miss ensured their elimination from the group stage.

“We didn’t show our level,” said defender Sergi Palencia, who played the full 90 minutes in LAFC’s matches against Chelsea and ES Tunis.

Read Also – Noah Lyles: America’s Ultimate Showman

“… I think it’s good to learn from,” he added. “When you play these big competition games against these big clubs, everything counts. If you disconnect one second, they punish you… We have to take this learning and put it into MLS and into [Concacaf Champions Cup]. So it’s a good learning for us, for the team, and for everyone.”

Even though LAFC’s tournament exit is disappointing, they can be proud of their recent match against Chelsea, a top Premier League team, where they competed strongly for long periods.

The team will play their final group stage game this Tuesday against Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

Bookmark (0)

Please login to bookmark