Los Angeles head coach Steve Cherundolo introduced that he shall be leaving the membership on the finish of the season, however referred to as for his gamers to benefit from his final marketing campaign.
Cherundolo’s aspect tasted victory final day out, edging out the San Jose Earthquakes in a 2-1 win at BMO Stadium final Saturday.
Cherundolo choice to depart comes after a tough week whereby LAFC noticed their Concacaf Champions Cup marketing campaign come ended following an exquisite second-leg comeback from Inter Miami, who overturned a one-goal deficit to progress to the semi-finals.
Talking after LAFC’s win over San Jose, Cherundolo gave an trustworthy response.
“It was a tough week for us. So profitable that is actually essential — most likely extra essential than the efficiency — however I used to be additionally proud of the efficiency,” he mentioned.
The American was additionally filled with reward for his aspect for his or her adaptability and software following a difficult few days.
“I feel having solely two days to relaxation and a few journey, just one coaching session yesterday, to play in a special system shouldn’t be simple to do.
“So compliments to the fellows making use of these issues they realized yesterday in coaching into the subsequent match in opposition to a crew filled with confidence and a really harmful crew.”
In a press release launched on Friday, Cherundolo confirmed his choice to go away.
“It’s an honor to be the top coach of LAFC,” Cherundolo mentioned. “After a lot reflection and dialogue with my household, we made the choice that on the finish of this 12 months we are going to return to Germany.
“I really like Los Angeles and LAFC, however this transfer is in the perfect curiosity of my household, at the same time as it would finally take us away from a crew, metropolis, group and fan base that I’m proud to signify. I’m wanting ahead to persevering with our work with the gamers, coaches and workers to make the 2025 season successful as we preserve preventing to win trophies.”
An announcement from the Membership.
LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo introduced right now that he’ll step down from his place on the completion of the 2025 MLS season.
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 18, 2025
Portland Timbers, in the meantime, climbed as much as fourth place within the Western Convention with a 4-2 win over Sporting Kansas Metropolis, placing them stage with San Diego FC and Colorado Rapids on 14 factors.
Portland head coach Phil Neville expressed his frustration and referred to as for greater requirements regardless of the Timbers choosing up a two-goal victory over Sporting KC final Sunday.
In what was a really hard-fought and bodily affair that noticed 25 fouls in complete awarded, with the Timbers choosing up 4 yellow playing cards, Neville hailed his aspect’s resilience, notably the efficiency of goalkeeper James Pantemis.
“My gamers confirmed nice resilience. James [Pantemis], I assumed, received us the sport along with his goalkeeping,” he mentioned.
“They’re all competing very well, each single considered one of them. Each single considered one of them is elevating the degrees of efficiency.”
However Neville was fast to say that his aspect nonetheless have some work to do if they’re to proceed their ascent up the desk.
“We’re not going to simply accept this season simply being okay. We need to problem that, and it’s the one manner we’re going to achieve success. And we’ve acquired an extended strategy to go.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Kevin Kelsy
Kelsy scored his first MLS profession brace in Portland’s 4-2 win over Sporting Kansas Metropolis on Sunday.
He’s now simply the fifth totally different Timbers participant to file a multi-goal recreation for the reason that begin of final season, tied for probably the most totally different gamers with two or extra targets in a match in that point.
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Bouanga’s 86th-minute objective for Los Angeles FC on Saturday ended a nine-match goalscoring drought in MLS play for the ahead (common season and playoffs).
He had by no means gone greater than 5 straight MLS matches with out a objective earlier than this run.
Bouanga’s objective was additionally his first of the MLS season and his seventeenth game-winning objective for LAFC, with solely Carlos Vela recording extra match-deciding targets (19).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Solely two factors separate the 2 sides within the West forward of Saturday’s conflict and a draw may find yourself being the likeliest consequence.
LAFC have misplaced solely considered one of their final seven matches in opposition to Portland in all competitions (W4 D2) courting again to 2022, although the Timbers received all three of their matches in opposition to LAFC in 2021.
LAFC, although, are on a horror run on the highway. They’ve misplaced seven of their final eight away matches in all competitions courting again to final 12 months’s playoffs. Previous to this, they’d misplaced solely three of their earlier 16 on the highway in all competitions (W11 D2).
Portland, in the meantime, are unbeaten in 5 straight matches (W3 D2) after opening the season with two losses in three (W1).
Again at dwelling for a West Coast showdown.
Ceaselessly Inexperienced and Gold
https://t.co/gp7Bi9HQVC
https://t.co/0I5h5uysyx pic.twitter.com/6KFo2D2FBf— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 17, 2025
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 37.2%
Draw – 26.3%
LAFC – 36.5%
