Before the Whistle: Club América Fans Took Over Los Angeles

Before a single minute was played at BMO Stadium, Club América supporters had already made their presence known and felt. The buildup to the LAFC vs Club América match was electric, but it was what happened before kickoff that truly captured the spirit of the day.

By early afternoon, the streets outside the stadium were alive. Smoke bombs lit up in yellow and blue. Flags waved from every direction. Chants echoed down the block. Fans weren’t just arriving—they were marching. What began as a gathering quickly turned into a full-on street parade led by passion, tradition, and community.

América fans didn’t only come from L.A. They came from everywhere. I met people who drove overnight from Las Vegas, others who flew in from Phoenix, Portland, and Salt Lake City. One fan held up a Club América scarf, proudly repping Utah ; where she had flown in from that same morning.

A fan from Utah proudly shows her Club América scarf. Photo by: ClixByMo

“I flew in from Utah this morning,” she told me. “It’s not easy to get time off, but I made it work. I’ve been following América since I was little. My whole family supports them—it’s something that connects us, even when we’re far from home. When they play in the U.S., you have to show up.”

Stories like Maribel’s weren’t rare. They were everywhere. Parents carrying their kids on their shoulders, elders proudly wearing kits from decades ago, teens repping the latest player drops. Whether it was their first time seeing América in person or their fifth, the emotion was the same loyal, and loud.

As a photographer, these are the moments I live to capture. The joy, the struggle to be there, the pride in every face. Even before kickoff, the game had already started in the streets—and América fans were leading it.

For a few unforgettable hours, Los Angeles became a sea of yellow and blue. And the message was clear: Club América fans don’t wait for permission to be heard. They bring the noise. Every time.