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.

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?

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.

🟡 Subscribe now and join the conversation in the comments.

📍 Live every Monday at 6pm PT | Follow us @Section128LAFC on X and YouTube.

🖤💛 This is Los Angeles.

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.

⚽️ 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

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

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.

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