LAFC and LD Alajuelense Draw in First Leg
LAFC and LD Alajuelense played to a 1-1 tie in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 (Leg 1) match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The match featured a dominant performance from LAFC, who registered 31 shot attempts compared to Alajuelense’s 4.
Denis Bouanga scored LAFC’s equalizer in the 56th minute, following Alejandro Bran’s opening goal for Alajuelense in the 43rd minute. Despite the scoreline, LAFC’s offensive pressure was evident, with 13 of their shots on target, while Alajuelense managed just 3.
LAFC completed an impressive 788 passes during the match, significantly outpacing Alajuelense’s 224. The match was attended by 11,275 spectators, who witnessed a competitive encounter.
LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made 2 saves, while Alajuelense’s Washington Ortega was named man of the match after making 12 saves, showcasing his skill in goal.
Marc Dos Santos, LAFC’s head coach, expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, “Draws like this, nine out of 10 times we’re going to win games like that.” His player, Ryan Hollingshead, acknowledged Alajuelense’s effort, saying, “I don’t want to not give [Alajuelense] credit. I think they worked really hard. They created nothing.”
Denis Bouanga also reflected on the match, asserting, “We have confidence to go there. We have our heads up.” This match marked the first goal conceded by LAFC since February 17, 2026, adding a layer of significance to the result.
Historically, LAFC previously faced LD Alajuelense in the second leg of the Round of 16 in 2023, where they won but failed to advance due to a 4-2 aggregate scoreline.
Looking ahead, LAFC will travel to Costa Rica for the second leg of the matchup, where they will aim to secure their advancement in the tournament. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the lineup and conditions for the upcoming match.