LOS ANGELES, United States, 16 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Former France international midfielder Paul Pogba was in attendance as Los Angeles FC slumped to their second consecutive defeat in Major League Soccer, losing 1-0 to Austin FC on Saturday.
Pogba, currently searching for a new club after serving an 18-month doping ban, was spotted watching his former France captain Hugo Lloris in goal for LAFC. The two embraced pitchside after the match, reflecting on the disappointing result. The former Juventus and Manchester United star, celebrating his 32nd birthday, also greeted ex-France teammate Olivier Giroud, who was absent from the match due to a leg injury.
Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Biro secured Austin’s victory with a well-placed header from a 12th-minute corner. Lloris managed to get a hand to the effort but was unable to keep it out.
LAFC had started the season strongly with two victories but have now suffered back-to-back losses following last week’s 5-2 thrashing by the Seattle Sounders.
Pogba has spent recent months training alone in Miami in an effort to regain match fitness and secure a new club. The Frenchman, who has earned 91 caps for his country, has also been seen attending Inter Miami matches in recent weeks.
His doping ban, which initially carried a four-year suspension, was reduced on appeal. Pogba attributed the failed drugs test to a food supplement prescribed by a doctor in the United States. Following the ruling, Juventus terminated his contract in November 2024, leaving him as a free agent without a transfer fee attached.
Elsewhere in Major League Soccer, Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers netted his fourth goal of the season in the 44th minute to hand the Chicago Fire a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC. Andrew Gutman had equalised for Chicago with a stunning left-footed strike after Deandre Kerr had given the Canadian side an early lead in the 11th minute.
Meanwhile, New York Red Bulls battled back to secure a 2-2 draw at home against Orlando City. Martin Ojeda put Orlando ahead in the 18th minute before former Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalised from the penalty spot. Marco Pašalić restored Orlando’s lead six minutes before half-time, but Dennis Gjengaar’s close-range finish early in the second half ensured New York claimed a share of the points.
Later on Saturday, Charlotte FC hosted Cincinnati, while St. Louis City faced Seattle Sounders. Inter Miami were set to travel to Atlanta United on Sunday in a highly anticipated fixture.