LA felt like home straight away: Bale
Wales captain Gareth Bale said Friday the chance to bring his expertise and skills to a young Los Angeles FC squad prompted his jump to Major League Soccer.
"It just felt really like the right thing to do," Bale said. "It felt like home straight away."
The five-time UEFA Champions League winner arrived by plane in southern California and hours later saw his new club defeat the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 in his first taste of the "El Trafico" derby.
"Seeing the fans live for the first time has more than kept me awake," Bale told match broadcaster ESPN. "What an incredible reception I had when I came in. Just excited to get started and play in front of these incredible fans."
The 32-year-old former Real Madrid and Tottenham forward was eligible to play but had barely met his teammates.
Supporters settled for watching Bale smile and wave to them, the crowd chanting his name before the match.
In June, Bale helped Wales reach the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.
Bale said he is ready for the mix of his US adventure and preparing for the Qatar World Cup later this year.
"The best prep is to play games," Bale said. "I want to come here. I want to play games and make my stamp and do as best I can to try and help LAFC win a trophy."
Bale signed a one-year deal through 2023 after a pitch from LAFC bosses.
"It was many things. It wasn't just one thing in particular," Bale said. "We had a chat on Zoom about multiple things I could come in and offer – what I can do in football."
The Welsh player said he could "help with the youngsters because it's a very young team here, give them advice, seeing what I do in terms of professional standard and try to help them."
Bale joined a club in only its fifth season on the field but one that hopes to match the sparkle that rival Galaxy once enjoyed with David Beckham.
"Just the project they have here is really amazing," Bale said. "They have a lot of great young players trying to develop. The club is really on the rise.
"It's very new but it's something that's really glamorous. It's just a very attractive club."
LAFC, the overall MLS leader, visit Nashville and Kansas City over the next two weeks before next playing at home on July 29 against Seattle.
LAFC improved to 4-7 with five drawn in the all-time rivalry, the Black and Gold snapping a five-match winless streak against the Galaxy.
LAFC led 1-0 at half-time with a 17th-minute header by Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes, but the Galaxy equalized in the 55th minute after a goal by French forward Samuel Grandsir.
Cifuentes headed in a centering pass from Mexican striker Carlos Vela in the 70th minute and Cristian Arango blasted in a right-footed shot in the 72nd to give LAFC a 3-1 edge.
Galaxy midfielder Rayan Raveloson of Madagascar scored from a header in the 81st minute.
(责任编辑:新闻中心)
- 科创筑梦树立远大志向 蓄势赋能培养科技人才
- 我市开展国庆期间公车私用、公款吃喝专项检查
- Gyeonggi Province to build more satellite towns of Seoul
- Trump says he will meet with Kim Jong
- NASA says Earth just had the hottest day ever recorded
- Best tablet deals as of August 27
- Former KKK leader David Duke congratulates Trump on his victory
- Satellites in space see lava pouring from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
- Police probe alleged cover
- Which is Faster for Gaming, Windows 10 or Windows 11?
- Rooney will have point to prove against Manchester United: Solskjaer
- Get the Nintendo Switch Lite and 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' bundle for $179
- Trump's website had a glitch that would make it say whatever you'd like
-
Yoon, US Senate's armed service committee chief discuss alliance, N.K. threats
President Yoon Suk Yeol (right) shakes hands with Sen. Jack Reed, chairman of the US Senate's a ...[详细] -
Ighalo double denies Rooney as Manchester United move into FA Cup quarters
DERBY:Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Manchester United to compete on three fronts after they mo ...[详细] -
Get the Nintendo Switch Lite and 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' bundle for $179
SAVE $20:As of April 18, get the Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy's Aloha Edition with a digit ...[详细] -
PREORDER: The just-announced Asus ROG Ally X ($799.99) is available for preorder exclusively at Best ...[详细]
-
PS5 Pro: It looks like a sketch of the design just leaked
After a few quiet months, rumors about Sony's alleged upcoming "PS5 Pro" console are flooding the in ...[详细] -
□ 王志勋以作家个人生活和成长之地为蓝本,创作系列乡土小说,这几乎是作家的自觉行动。近者如陕西作家贾平凹,以商州为圆心,创作了堪称中国当代文学经典的《浮躁》《高老庄》《土门》等一系列本土小说;远者如美 ...[详细]
-
Get the Nintendo Switch Lite and 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' bundle for $179
SAVE $20:As of April 18, get the Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy's Aloha Edition with a digit ...[详细] -
'Simpsons' creator Matt Groening reveals new show 'Disenchantment'
Not too long after missing the mark on Apu, The Simpsonscreator Matt Groening has revealed his first ...[详细] -
GPU Mining is Dead, Where are my Cheap GPUs?
Let's talk GPU prices and this month's update is very interesting because of two key factors: the fi ...[详细] -
YouTube is reportedly talking to major labels for AI music deals
YouTube is reportedly holding licensing talks with major record labels for permission to use more so ...[详细]
- 护航孩子成长 解决职工后顾之忧
- Manchester City must maintain 'big club' mentality: Guardiola
- North Korea to protest cargo ship seizure at UN
- Beyoncé and Solange's mom slayed two of her daughters' iconic looks
- “大体老师”的故事:以生命点亮生命
- Donald Glover responds perfectly to Lando Calrissian's pansexuality
- Japan to extend N. Korea sanctions for 2 years