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FIFA Club World Cup: What Awaits LAFC In Group D?

LAFC were the final qualifier for the FIFA 2025 Club World Cup, which takes place from June 14 to July 13 across the United States.

The Black & Gold are one of three MLS clubs participating in this year’s expanded, 32-team tournament, alongside Inter Miami CF and Seattle Sounders FC.

LAFC slot into Group D, which also features English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea, Brazilian titans Flamengo and Tunisian side ES Tunis. The top two teams per group advance to the knockout phase.

LAFC’s Club World Cup schedule
June 16 – 3 pm ET vs. Chelsea | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)
June 20 – 6 pm ET vs. ES Tunis | GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tenn.)
June 24 – 9 pm ET vs. Flamengo | Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)
Full schedule: FIFA Club World Cup

Chelsea Football Club
Country: England
How they qualified: 2021-22 UEFA Champions League winners
Key players: Cole Palmer (M); Nicolas Jackson (F); Enzo Fernández (M); Moisés Caicedo (M); Marc Cucurella (D)
Head Coach: Enzo Maresca

One of the most famous clubs in the world, Chelsea are no stranger to domestic and continental success, with five English Premier League titles, eight FA Cup victories and a pair of UEFA Champions League titles. They also previously won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021.

Coached by Enzo Maresca, the Blues enter the Club World Cup after a top-four finish in the English Premier League, which clinched a coveted UEFA Champions League spot. They’re led by England international Cole Palmer, one of the top young players in the world, as well as Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández.

On the London club’s books are MLS alums Gaga Slonina (Chicago Fire FC), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United) and Djordje Petrovic (New England Revolution)

Espérance Sportive de Tunis
Country: Tunisia
How they qualified: Best-ranked eligible team in the CAF four-year ranking
Key players: Yan Sasse (F); Youcef Belaïli (F); Mohamed Amine Tougai (D); Yassine Meriah (D); Houssem Tka (M)
Head coach: Maher Kanzari
Espérance Sportive de Tunis are one of the most successful clubs in Africa and are making their fourth appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup. They’ve won 34 league titles, lifted the Tunisian Cup 15 times and four times captured the CAF Champions League crown.

ES Tunis finished atop the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle table and are led by Brazilian midfielder Yan Sasse, Algerian international Youcef Belaïli, the centerback tandem of Mohamed Amine Tougai and Yassine Meriah, as well as Tunisian international Houssem Tka.

ES Tunis have a pair of FIFA Club World Cup wins under their belt, beating Chivas Guadalajara on penalties in the fifth-place match in 2018 and defeating Al-Sadd, 6-2, in the fifth-place match in 2019.

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Country: Brazil
How they qualified: 2022 Copa Libertadores winners
Key players: Gerson (M); Pedro (F); Nicolás de la Cruz (M); Wesley (D); Giogian de Arrascaeta (M)
Head coach: Filipe Luís
Flamengo are one of the country’s most successful clubs with seven Brazilian Série A titles, five Copa do Brasil crowns, three Copa Libertadores among their championships, including a 1-0 win over fellow Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense in 2022, which booked their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The storied Brazilian club are led by Filipe Luís, a former club legend and Brazilian international left back, and currently sit atop the Brasileirão table through 11 matchdays. They play their home matches at the famed Maracanã.

A club known for developing some of Brazil’s top players through their academy, Flamengo’s roster includes current Brazilian internationals Gerson and Danilo, while Jorginho reportedly could join the team from Arsenal ahead of the Club World Cup.

Los Angeles Football Club
Country: United States
How they qualified: Play-in match winners
Key players: Denis Bouanga (F); Igor Jesus (M); David Martínez (F); Hugo Lloris (GK); Aaron Long (D)
Head coach: Steve Cherundolo
One of Major League Soccer’s most successful clubs, LAFC reached the Club World Cup after defeating Club América in a play-in match following Club León’s disqualification due to FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

Steve Cherundolo’s side are off to yet another strong start in MLS this season and will look to add to a trophy case which includes two Supporters’ Shields twice, one MLS Cup and a US Open Cup. They’ve also twice reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final.

On a club that boasts World Cup winners Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris, Denis Bouanga is the unquestioned star. The Gabon international is coming off back-to-back 20-goal campaigns and scored the extra-time winner against América to book LAFC’s ticket. They also feature rising star David Martínez in the midfield and former US international Aaron Long on defense.

Mlssoccer.com

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News

Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw

Roy Keane reacting angrily during a football analysis session

Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.

“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.

Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

United lost control after scoring
They failed to win second balls
They should have killed the match earlier
The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.

West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.

Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.

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Local News

Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.

How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

David Beckham
Zinedine Zidane
Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.

A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.

Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

Upgraded comfort
Subtle structural refinement
Increased responsiveness
Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.

Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.

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News

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?

Galatasaray players celebrating a goal ahead of their match against Samsunspor.

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor Match Preview

The Turkish Super Lig title race is heating up, and Friday’s clash between Galatasaray and Samsunspor carries huge implications for both ends of the table. Cimbom remain top, but their recent dip in form has opened the door for rivals — and Samsunspor are arriving in Istanbul with confidence and a 14-game unbeaten streak.

This matchup promises intensity, tactics, and a battle of resilience versus home dominance.

Galatasaray Searching For Lost Spark

Galatasaray head into this fixture frustrated after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser in the derby against Fenerbahce — a result that denied them a chance to go four points clear.

Their early-season sharpness has faded:

9 wins in their first 10 games
Only 1 win in their last 4
Three matches without scoring during Victor Osimhen’s absence

The Nigerian striker’s return instantly improves their attack, but Okan Buruk’s side still need to rediscover the fluid, cohesive football that put them top of the table.

Samsunspor’s Incredible Unbeaten Run

Samsunspor enter the match in fantastic form:

Unbeaten in 14 across all competitions (7W, 7D)
10 straight games unbeaten in the league
A habit of rising to big games — drawing against Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Trabzonspor

However, three consecutive draws — including a late 1-1 against Alanyaspor — show they sometimes struggle to finish opponents off.

Thomas Reis’s men sit 5th with 25 points, but defeat could drop them down the table. Still, their discipline and structure make them one of the most difficult teams to break down this season.

Head-to-Head: A Fixture Dominated By Galatasaray

History heavily favours the hosts:

Galatasaray have won the last eight meetings
Samsunspor’s last victory over Cimbom feels like a lifetime ago
Recent games have been high scoring and entertaining

With form and past meetings combined, Galatasaray remain favourites — but Samsunspor’s current resilience cannot be ignored.

Team News

Galatasaray

Out injured:

Ismail Jakobs
Wilfried Singo

Suspended (betting scandal):

Eren Elmali
Metehan Baltaci

Osimhen is fit but still regaining full sharpness.

Samsunspor

Long-term absentees:

Olivier Ntcham
Ebrima Ceesay
Bedirhan Cetin
Tanguy Coulibaly
Afonso Sousa

Also missing:

Lubomir Satka (injured)
Celil Yuksel (betting scandal)
Joe Mendes (red card suspension)

Probable Lineups

Galatasaray:

Cakir; Sanchez, Bardakci, Lemina, Karatas; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen

Samsunspor:

Kocuk; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson; Makoumbou; Musaba, Aydin, Holse, Kilinic; Ndiaye

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