Section 128 | This is Los Angeles

LAFC vs. Club América – Club World Cup Showdown

It’s official. LAFC and Club América will battle for a golden ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. In this special edition of Section 128, we break down the stakes, the matchups, and the drama ahead of the May 31 play-in at BMO Stadium — where the winner advances to Group D, facing Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis on the world stage. 💥 What this means for LAFC fans 🦅 América’s massive legacy and Brian Rodríguez’s return 🏟️ Match preview, previous meetings, and tactical keys 🌍 Club World Cup format, schedule, and global exposure This is the most important non-playoff game in LAFC history. Let’s get into it.

El Tráfico Fallout + Seattle Recap + Montreal Preview

The Black & Gold are unbeaten in seven straight, and we’re here to break it all down.
On this week’s episode of Section 128, we unpack LAFC’s 2-2 draw at Carson in El Tráfico — we had all the drama surrounding Marky Delgado, the former G.
Denis Bouanga’s ridiculous shot to Ordaz’s finish and Marco Reus’ dagger of a free kick. Did LAFC do enough?
Or was this one that slipped away?
 
Then, we turn to the 4-0 dismantling of Seattle, where Cengiz Ünder lit the fuse and LAFC looked dominant from whistle to whistle.
 
Plus: Igor Jesus’ underrated brilliance, and Ebobisse finding rhythm.
 
Finally, we look ahead to Saturday’s cross-continent trip to Montreal — LAFC’s longest away day of the year. Can this team stay hot in Canada?

LAFC Unbeaten in 5 | Vancouver Draw, Seattle Up Next & Club World Cup Playoff News

The Black & Gold extend their unbeaten streak to five after a dramatic 2-2 road draw against the top-of-the-table Vancouver Whitecaps. In this episode of Section 128, we break down the goals from Mark Delgado and Denis Bouanga, and examine the backline lapses that let Brian White score twice for Vancouver.
 
We also preview a packed week ahead:
➡️ Midweek clash vs Seattle Sounders at BMO
➡️ El Tráfico vs LA Galaxy on Sunday
➡️ AND a bombshell FIFA Club World Cup playoff announcement: LAFC will face Club América for a ticket to the 2025 tournament.
 
🎙️ Hosts: Celso Oliveira, Erik Hultstrom, and Katie Vasconcelos join up again to dissect tactics, player form, and the rising tension heading into a rivalry week.
 
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📍 Live every Monday at 6pm PT | Follow us @Section128LAFC on X and YouTube.
🖤💛 This is Los Angeles.

Ordaz, Ebobisse & the Counterattack Clinic: LAFC Is Rolling!

Welcome back to Section 128, brought to you by Pitchside USA, your go-to spot for all things Black & Gold.
Today we’re breaking down a big home win over Houston Dynamo. LAFC is heating up, and just in time — because next up, it’s a massive test on the road against Vancouver, the leaders of the West. Let’s get into it.
 
Gaston (@lafcuy) is joining us. 

Late Heroics, Cherundolo’s Goodbye, and New Beginnings

⚽️ Bouanga saves LAFC vs. St. Louis 👋 Cherundolo announces he’s stepping down after 2025 🔥 A new voice joins Section 128 today — welcome Katie!🎧 Tune in as we break it all down. #LAFC #MLS #Bouanga #Cherundolo #ThisIsLosAngeles

LAFC Falls to Messi’s Inter Miami but Rebounds vs. San Jose

Welcome back to Section 128, brought to you by Pitchside USA, your go-to spot for all things Black & Gold.
This week’s episode breaks down two emotional turns for the Black & Gold. First, we revisit the Concacaf Champions Cup collapse vs. Inter Miami—Messi’s equalizer, the unraveling midfield, and LAFC’s failure to adjust.
 
Then we flip the script with LAFC’s 2-1 MLS win over San Jose at BMO Stadium, featuring first goals from Sergi Palencia and Denis Bouanga. Can this spark a turnaround ahead of a tough trip to Portland?
 
⚽️ Topics:
Inter Miami 3-1 LAFC: Messi takes over, LAFC stalls
Tactical breakdown: missed subs, exposed flanks, DPs under fire
San Jose win: Bouanga ends MLS drought, Palencia shines
Key stats: Home dominance, road worries
Previewing Portland
 
🎙 Hosted by Celso Oliveira & Erik Hultstrom (@Erik_Hultstrom)
 
📅 New episodes weekly. Like, subscribe & share your take below! 
 
#LAFC #Messi #InterMiami #MLS #ConcacafChampionsCup #LAFCvsSJ #Bouanga

Fan Reactions: LAFC Out of Concachampions after Messi Brace; Who's to Blame for Inter Miami Win?

Welcome back to Section 128, brought to you by Pitchside USA, your go-to spot for all things Black & Gold.
We hopped on X Spaces right after the game against Inter Miami to express our frustration and let our voices be heard.
After we saw Aaron Long pull LAFC ahead of Inter Miami, we sure got hopeful... only to see the boys in Pink score 3 goals in 60 minutes, eliminating the Black and Gold from the competition and raising major questions in fans' minds whether LAFC is in good hands with Steve Cherundolo and John Thorrington in the realm.

Inter Miami vs LAFC: Can the Black & Gold Survive Messi in Miami? | Champions Cup 2nd Leg Preview

Welcome back to Section 128, brought to you by Pitchside USA, your go-to spot for all things Black & Gold.
 
With a ticket to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals on the line, LAFC heads to South Florida holding a 1-0 lead over Inter Miami. Can they hold off Lionel Messi, Suárez, and Javier Mascherano's high-powered attack at home? In this extended episode, Celso and Erik are joined by Daniel and Kris (@kbatteredherons) from Battered Herons to break down both sides of the matchup. We dive into Nathan Ordaz’s breakout moment, LAFC’s surprising defensive composure, and what Steve Cherundolo must get right in the second leg. We also get the Miami perspective: Messi’s recent form (including a goal vs Toronto FC), what changes Miami fans expect in the starting XI with Busquets out, and how they’re heading into the biggest home game of the year. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro + Houston game 20:00 – 1st Leg Recap + LAFC’s Youth, Defense & Ordaz’s Moment 40:00 – Guest Segment: Daniel from Battered Herons on Inter Miami’s Approach 1:00:00 – Tactical Setups & Final Predictions 📺 Watch it live or on replay on YouTube . 📣 Drop your score predictions in the comments! #LAFC #InterMiami #Messi #ConcacafChampionsCup #MLS2025 #LAFCvsMiami #PitchsideMLS

Debriefing Inter Miami Win and Messi Shutout, LAFC visits the Houston Dynamo with Giroud and a rotated squad

We talk about the 1-0 win over Inter Miami and what was a great first 90 minutes of play between Inter Miami and LAFC. Messi, Suárez and Alba walked out of BMO Stadium without any goals, now the team looks to capitalize on the goal advantage in South Florida. 
 
We also talk about the squad for this upcoming match vs a bottom feeding team like the Houston Dynamo, who still somehow seems to always have LAFC's number in Texas. Will they prevail on the road with several players minutes managed for the Wednesday game? 
 

Slipping in San Diego, Staring Down Messi

A tough night in San Diego and a massive midweek showdown with Messi and Inter Miami—this week’s LAFC Lowdown is loaded. We break down LAFC’s 3-2 loss to expansion side San Diego FC, including first MLS goals for Artem Smolyakov and Cengiz Ünder, the impact of Igor Jesus’ red card, and what went wrong early.
Then we shift to the Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals as Messi and Inter Miami come to BMO Stadium.
Special guest Battered Fans joins us to give the Herons’ perspective, talk matchups, and make bold predictions for Leg 1.
 
⚽️ Topics: • LAFC’s 3-2 loss at San Diego FC: defensive concerns, individual bright spots • First goals for Smolyakov & Ünder • Red card fallout: should Igor Jesus start again? • Inter Miami preview: Messi, Suárez & Miami’s weaknesses • Guest spotlight: Battered Fans brings the Miami heat • LAFC’s keys to the match & score predictions
 
🎙 Hosted by Celso Oliveira & Erik Hultstrom (@Erik_Hultstrom)
 
🎧 Special Guest: Battered Fans (@batteredfans | batteredfans.com) 📅 New episodes weekly. Like, subscribe & drop your score predictions in the comments! #LAFC #InterMiami #Messi #ConcacafChampionsCup #MLS #LAFCvsMIA