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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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