América face high-stakes LA showdown for Club World Cup lifeline | OneFootball

After the disappointment of falling short in the Liga MX final against Toluca, Club América now look ahead to a decisive fixture that could shape their season’s legacy—a Club World Cup play-off against LAFC at BMO Stadium. The match, scheduled for 31 May in Los Angeles, offers a single berth at the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a target that has rapidly shifted to the forefront for the Mexican side.

The transition is a swift one. Within days of seeing their bid for a fourth straight league title end, América’s squad and coaching staff have set about preparing for what manager André Jardine has called a "key moment in the team’s future." The stakes are clear; the winner takes Mexico’s final place at next summer’s global showpiece.

There’s added intrigue in facing LAFC, a club with ties to América’s historic rivals Chivas through its origins linked to the now-defunct Chivas USA. While América and LAFC have met sparingly in official competition, their most notable clash came in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League semifinals, when Carlos Vela scored twice as LAFC overturned an early deficit to eliminate América. Two subsequent friendlies have seen honours split, with penalties favouring América in 2022 and LAFC notching victory earlier this year at the same venue set to host this week’s contest.

Familiar faces connect the clubs. América forward Brian Rodríguez previously spent two seasons with LAFC, recording 9 goals and 14 assists in 65 appearances before moving south to become an important figure in América’s domestic title run. However, his involvement for the LAFC fixture is in some doubt. According to sources at ESPN Mexico, Rodríguez has received an offer from Inter Miami and is reportedly negotiating terms for a possible move, leaving his future with América unresolved just days out from the play-off.

América could also be without other key names come the new campaign. Diego Valdés is drawing interest from Atlético Mineiro, and Javairo Dilrosun’s agent has begun exit talks in Mexico City. Should these departures materialise, América’s foreign player slots would open up, potentially paving the way for new signings this summer. Néstor Araujo is another likely departure, in advanced discussions to return to Santos Laguna.

For América, the meeting with LAFC is more than just a shot at global competition. It is an opportunity to move beyond a painful final and refocus around a tangible trophy and the chance to face the world’s elite. The outcome will help define both the on-field direction and transfer strategy in the weeks to come.

Source: Mediotiempo, ESPN Deportes México