LAFC and LD Alajuelense Draw in CONCACAF Champions Cup
In a tightly contested match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, LAFC and LD Alajuelense played to a 1-1 tie in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 (Leg 1) on March 10, 2026. The match showcased LAFC’s dominance in possession and shot attempts, yet they were unable to secure a victory.
Denis Bouanga scored LAFC’s equalizer in the 56th minute after Alejandro Bran had given Alajuelense the lead with a goal in the 43rd minute. Despite LAFC’s 31 shot attempts compared to Alajuelense’s 4, the match ended in a draw.
LAFC’s offensive pressure was evident, as they recorded 13 shots on target while Alajuelense managed only 3. The home team also completed 788 passes, significantly outpacing Alajuelense’s 224 passes.
Goalkeeper Washington Ortega was instrumental for Alajuelense, making 12 saves and earning the title of man of the match. LAFC’s Hugo Lloris contributed with 2 saves, but the match marked the first goal conceded by LAFC since February 17, 2026.
The match drew an attendance of 11,275 spectators, who witnessed LAFC maintain 76% possession throughout the game. Coach Marc Dos Santos expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, “Draws like this, nine out of 10 times we’re going to win games like that.”
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.” Bouanga remained optimistic, adding, “We have confidence to go there. We have our heads up.”
This match follows LAFC’s previous encounter with Alajuelense in the 2023 Round of 16, where they won the second leg 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 seek to secure a place in the next round of the tournament. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific date and time for this upcoming match.