Latest news with #HugoLloris
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
📉 The best and worst performers from LAFC's loss against ES Tunis
📉 The best and worst performers from LAFC's loss against ES Tunis LAFC's 1-0 Club World Cup loss against ES Tunis was nothing short of a gut-punch for club and MLS supporters alike. Having failed to break down the Tunisian champions and finding themselves eliminated from the tournament with zero points, LAFC dominated possession and created enough chances to claw their way onto the scoresheet, but a lack of cutting-edge ultimately proved costly. Advertisement Here's a look at the best and worst performers from a frustrating evening for Steve Cherundolo's side. Best Performers Hugo Lloris – The veteran goalkeeper was one of the few LAFC players who showed composure throughout the match. Lloris made three key saves, including a sharp stop from Yan Sasse early in the second half. His distribution was solid throughout and could be worthy of Man of the Match if the result went the other way. He was left with little chance to keep Youcef Belaili's effort out, but without his presence, the scoreline could have been worse. Denis Bouanga – Bouanga was LAFC's most dangerous attacking outlet and the only player who looked capable of making something happen in the final third. Advertisement Involved in the majority of the club's attacking moves on the night, his chance to bag the equaliser would, unfortunately, come up short. Despite the miss, his effort and energy stood out on a night when many others went missing, though much more is expected of him in the final third given his stature. Aaron Long – While the team conceded, Long comported himself well in the heart of LAFC's backline. His presence was felt when dealing with aerial challenges and his distribution from the back was a hallmark of his performance. He was one of the few bright spots on the night. Worst Performers Olivier Giroud – The World Cup winner had a forgettable night. Giroud was expected to be the focal point of LAFC's attack but truly failed to make a difference in the manner he has been capable of in his formative years. Advertisement Managing just two touches in the opposition area and completing only 65% of his passes before coming off in the 88th minute, it may be time to ask whether or not Cherundolo needs to further distance himself from the Frenchman on the teamsheet. Timothy Tillman – Tillman failed to impose himself in any meaningful or consistent way across the duration of his outing in Nashville despite a handful of bright spots in the center of the park. His passing was sluggish despite boasting a high completion rate, with a lack of urgency slowing LAFC's transitional play. He was not the worst player on the pitch, but more should be expected of him given the key role he was given in midfield. 📸 Richard Pelham - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hugo Lloris behind Riviera FC rebrand
LAFC goalkeeper and former France international Hugo Lloris (38) is behind the rebrand of a club on the French Riviera. Lloris, a shareholder and ambassador of the formerly named VSJB FC (Villefranche Saint-Jean Beaulieu FC), and club president Cédric Messina are behind a complete rebrand of the club, which will see it renamed Riviera FC. Riviera FC's logo Advertisement The rebrand is part of attempts to grow the club, currently in the National 3, which not only entails making a climb up the ladder in the French game, but also improving its training of young players. Notably, the club has a partnership with the Zidane Académie, a partnership signed with the perspective of improving the level of training provided for the younger players. 'Today, we are at a turning point for the club,' said Messina in a press release marking the rebrand. 'By becoming Riviera FC, we are affirming a renewed ambition.' Last season, Riviera FC finished sixth in their National 3 group. The rebrand, instigated by Lloris, it is hoped will raise the club to new heights. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
In front of thousands of empty seats, Chelsea kick off Club World Cup campaign with dominant win over LAFC
Atlanta: Chelsea got their FIFA Club World Cup campaign underway with a 2-0 victory over MLS side Los Angeles FC in front of thousands of empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Thousands of seats were visibly empty in a 71,000-capacity stadium as Chelsea made a winning start in Group D. According to Sky Sports, the official attendance of the fixture was 22,137, which indicates that the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was less than a third full. In the first half, former Tottenham and LAFC's current goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, was called into action and denied Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke from racing away with an early lead. Chelsea grew in possession, pushed LAFC back and eventually broke the stalemate. In front of a limited number of fans, Pedro Neto's 34th-minute goal gave manager Enzo Maresca's side a 1-0 advantage. The Portuguese breached the offside trap and latched onto Jackson's precise pass. He cut the ball back in and fired it into the bottom corner to put the Conference League winners 1-0 ahead in the contest. Chelsea fans caught a glimpse of their latest acquisition, Liam Delap, in action midway through the second half. Chelsea had to work hard for their second but eventually got it in the second half. Delap was brought onto the field and engaged in back-and-forth passes with Cole Palmer. He put his quick feet on exhibition and eventually set up Fernandez to tap it home in the 79th minute for a 2-0 triumph. After the contest, Chelsea boss Maresca didn't shy away from expressing his surprise on the thousands of seats that were empty throughout the fixture and said as quoted from Sky Sports, "The atmosphere and environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty." LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo gave his opinion and said, "I think it is different each game you look at," he said, adding, "In the Rose Bowl in LA, there was a huge crowd for the game between PSG and Atletico Madrid. Maybe LA likes football more than Atlanta, I don't know, we should judge at the end."
The National
6 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Poor turnout in Atlanta as Chelsea ease to victory over LAFC but Boca bring the noise to Miami
Chelsea began their quest to conquer Fifa's expanded Club World Cup with a workmanlike 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC on Monday, though the low-key atmosphere at a near-empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta failed to match the occasion. Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez ensured Enzo Maresca's side opened their Group D account with three points, but almost 50,000 of the stadium's 71,000 seats went unused – an awkward reminder of the tournament's teething problems in its first edition as a 32-team event. Neto struck midway through the first half after an incisive ball from Nicolas Jackson carved LAFC open. The Portuguese winger still had plenty to do, but left defender Ryan Hollingshead in his wake with a quick shimmy before thumping past veteran Hugo Lloris at the near post. Despite a smattering of LAFC ultras doing their best to inject life into the atmosphere behind Lloris' goal, the echo inside the vast domed stadium underscored an uncomfortable truth for organisers: Monday afternoon in mid-June is not prime football real estate in the United States. 'The environment was a bit strange, the stadium was almost empty,' Maresca admitted afterwards. 'But the performance was there, and that's most important.' The Chelsea coach said his team had expected a larger crowd, but were hopeful they would get that in their second game against Flamengo of Brazil in Philadelphia. "We prepared this game also thinking that the environment was a bit different, but no doubt that the next one will be a nice one, because we know that the Brazilian teams, they always bring many, many fans," he added. New arrival Liam Delap, a summer signing from Ipswich Town, came off the bench after the hour mark and made an instant impact, teeing up Fernandez for Chelsea's second. The Argentine arrived at the back post to calmly dispatch the striker's low cross past Lloris and seal the result. 'The good thing about Liam is he knows the way we want to play, so the process is quite quick,' said Maresca of the 21-year-old forward. 'He had an impact today and that's encouraging.' Chelsea, fresh off a Uefa Conference League triumph and Champions League qualification, look eager to reassert their status among the European elite. But while their performance showed promise, the occasion was less flattering for Fifa's vision of a global club spectacle. LAFC were only added to the competition at the last moment, replacing banned Mexican side Club Leon in May. As a result, all their group games are being played away from home, stripping the match of a true local connection. The 3pm kick-off did little to help. Though Atlanta United regularly draw MLS-record crowds, few locals appeared willing – or able – to spend a Monday afternoon at the stadium, especially one chosen more for a UK television audience than American convenience. LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo declined to be drawn into criticism of the poor turnout. 'Regarding crowds, I think it's different for each game. We should wait until the end of the tournament to form an opinion about it as a whole,' he said. The Californians improved after the break, especially following the introduction of former Chelsea man Olivier Giroud. They came close to levelling when Denis Bouanga tested Robert Sanchez, but Chelsea's goalkeeper stood tall. Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Flamengo opened their Group D account with an impressive 2-0 win over Esperance de Tunis. Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo struck either side of half time, with former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho providing an assist on debut after joining from Arsenal earlier this month. Flamengo and Chelsea now meet on Friday in what promises to be the marquee matchup of the group stage, with a semi-final berth likely at stake. LAFC and Esperance, both pointless, will look to keep their slim hopes alive in Nashville. Boca fans bring noise to Miami Goals from two Argentina internationals denied Boca Juniors victory over Benfica on Monday, as the Buenos Aires side were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in a stormy Club World Cup Group C clash. An Angel Di Maria penalty on the stroke of half time and an 86th-minute header from Nicolas Otamendi earned the 10-man Lisbon side a point from a fiercely contested encounter in what was a de facto home game for Boca. The Argentine club had led 2-0 thanks to goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia and looked set for a night of celebration after Benfica went down to 10 men in the 72nd minute. Boca fans had taken over Miami Beach over the weekend, thousands of them gathering on the seafront for a traditional 'banderazo', singing, drinking and waving flags for hours in the searing heat. A video of Boca fans jumping and chanting in a local Walmart supermarket, to the bemusement of regular shoppers, had captured the mood, but it was nothing compared to the atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium. The home of the Miami Dolphins was turned into a Bombonera by the beach, with 90% of the 55,574 crowd decked out in blue and yellow and bringing a level of constant noise rarely, if ever, heard for NFL games. When the action got underway it was clear that the enthusiasm from the stands was going to be matched on the field with Boca confirming the feeling that South American clubs in this tournament are out to prove a point against European opponents.
Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Pedro Neto explains Chelsea goal celebration after feisty LAFC clash at Club World Cup
The Portuguese winger was arguably the Blues' best player as they opened their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Major League Soccer (MLS) opposition at a sparsely-populated Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night, getting the breakthrough in the first half as he raced onto a through ball from Nicolas Jackson and checked inside with a brilliant turn before firing past Hugo Lloris and into the bottom corner.
