#alajuelense

Alajuelense Secures 1-0 Lead Over LAFC in Concacaf Champions Cup Fernando Pinar scored the opening goal for Alajuelense in their Concacaf Champions Cup match against Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), giving his team a 1-0 lead. The goal came in the 1st minute of the second half, with Pinar heading the ball into the upper-left corner of the net from close range following a corner kick. The strike was a crucial moment in the 8th round of the tournament, as Alajuelense looked to maintain their position in the competition. The match began with both teams showing strong defensive organization, but Alajuelense’s attack proved more effective. Pinar’s goal came after a well-executed set piece, with the striker capitalizing on a defensive lapse by LAFC. The goal sent the home crowd into celebration, as Alajuelense took control of the game in the early stages. LAFC responded with pressure in the midfield, but Alajuelense’s defense held firm, limiting the visitors’ opportunities. The match remained tightly contested, with neither team able to break the deadlock until Pinar’s decisive strike. The 1-0 scoreline at halftime reflected Alajuelense’s dominance in the first half, as they managed to neutralize LAFC’s attacking threats. The goal by Pinar was a testament to his positioning and timing, as he was able to react quickly to the corner kick and redirect the ball past the goalkeeper. This performance highlighted Alajuelense’s ability to create chances in set pieces, a strength that could prove vital in the knockout stages of the tournament. As the match progressed, LAFC made tactical adjustments to counter Alajuelense’s threat, but the hosts’ defense remained resolute. The 1-0 lead at halftime put Alajuelense in a favorable position, setting the stage for a potentially decisive second half.#lafc #concacaf_champions_cup #alajuelense #fernando_pinar #concacaf_champions_cup_8th_round

"Macho" Ramírez se alista para su primera "final" del semestre Alajuelense afina detalles para el decisivo partido de este martes ante Los Angeles FC por la Copa de Campeones de la Concacaf. La serie está igualada 1-1, por lo que el compromiso en el estadio Alejandro Morera Soto promete ser intenso. Un empate sin goles clasificaría a los rojinegros, aunque el técnico Óscar Ramírez aseguró que su equipo buscará más que solo especular con el resultado. "Ya estudiamos el partido que hicimos allá, pero esto es una final. El 0-0 nos da el pase, pero creemos que podemos buscar más cosas. Trataremos de tener el balón, aunque enfrentamos a un equipo diseñado para ser campeón de la MLS, con grandes figuras", comentó el entrenador en conferencia de prensa. Ramírez también advirtió sobre el peligro del rival, especialmente en las transiciones rápidas. "Queremos tener más posesión, pero eso nos puede traicionar por las transiciones que tienen ellos. Debemos hacer un partido muy pensante, saberlo llevar, no regalar nada y aprovechar cualquier oportunidad que se presente", explicó. El estratega manudo destacó además el papel de la afición para este compromiso. "La afición ha sido un pilar importante. Será una noche bonita de fútbol y el equipo pondrá todo su empeño y concentración. Los muchachos darán lo mejor de sí", afirmó. Sobre el análisis del rival, Ramírez indicó que el cuerpo técnico ha estudiado las características de sus principales figuras para intentar neutralizarlas. "Son jugadores con características diferentes. Hacemos un escaneo y analizamos cómo minimizarlas. La experiencia del primer partido ayuda mucho para este segundo". El técnico también enfatizó la importancia de manejar la presión durante el encuentro. "Hay que saber salir de la presión que ellos ejercen.#los_angeles_fc #alajuelense #estadio_alejandro_morera_soto #oscar_ramirez #copa_de_campeones_concacaf

Alajuelense 1-0 LAFC: Gol de van der Putten en minuto a minuto de la vuelta de los octavos de final de Concachampions 2026 La Liga Deportiva Alajuelense se impuso 1-0 sobre Los Angeles FC en el partido de vuelta de los octavos de final de la Concachampions 2026, con el gol de Santiago van der Putten en el minuto 3. El resultado deja a la Liga con una ventaja de 2-1 en el global, asegurando su paso a los cuartos de final. El partido se disputó en el Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, lleno de aficionados rojinegros que apoyaron a la Liga en todo momento. El partido comenzó con un ritmo intenso, donde Alajuelense intentó controlar el balón desde el inicio. En el minuto 3, van der Putten aprovechó un rebote dentro del área tras un remate de Hugo Lloris y marcó el primer gol del partido. LAFC respondió con presión constante, pero los defensores de la Liga, liderados por Washington Ortega, se mostraron sólidos. En la primera mitad, LAFC tuvo varias ocasiones de peligro, pero el arquero Ortega y su defensa evitaron que se ampliara la ventaja. Un salvado clave de Alejandro Bran en el minuto 46 detuvo un remate de Nathan Ordaz, mientras que en el minuto 44, Fernando Piñar recibió una tarjeta amarilla por una falta a Bouanga. La segunda mitad fue más equilibrada, con ambos equipos buscando el empate. En el minuto 31, Eddie Segura fue amonestado por una infracción a Villalobos, y en el 29, Washington Ortega repelió un disparo de Dennis Bouanga desde un tiro de esquina. A pesar de la presión de LAFC, Alajuelense mantuvo su estructura defensiva y se fue al descanso con ventaja. En el segundo tiempo, LAFC intentó recuperar el control, pero la Liga respondió con un juego más directo. Alexis Gamboa sufrió una lesión en el minuto 13 y fue reemplazado por Guillermo Villalobos.#lafc #alajuelense #concachampions_2026 #estadio_alejandro_morera_soto #santiago_van_der_putten

Alajuelense vs. LAFC Clash in Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 Costa Rica’s Alajuelense will face LAFC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET. The teams drew 1-1 in their first encounter on March 10 in Los Angeles. The match will be broadcast on FS1 and streamed live on FuboTV (with a free trial available) and DIRECTV (also offering a free trial). The game takes place at Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Los Angeles FC secured a 2-0 victory over St. Louis City in a crucial MLS match on Saturday, with Mathieu Choiniere scoring both goals and Hugo Lloris recording his fourth consecutive shutout. Choiniere, in his ninth MLS season, opened the scoring in the 73rd minute by slipping a rolling shot inside the left post after intercepting a pass near midfield. He added a second goal in the 81st minute, bending a shot between the legs of defender Timo Baumgartl and into the left post. Lloris, 39, made four saves for LAFC, which has outscored its opponents 8-0 this season. The goalkeeper joined Roman Bürki (St. Louis, 2025) as the only MLS players to achieve four straight shutouts to start a season. St. Louis City’s goalkeeper Bürki made three saves, while LAFC’s Denis Bouanga hit the crossbar early in the match, and Nate Ordaz’s shot from the center of the area bounced off the right post. Both teams wore black armbands with “IL” in white lettering to honor Ilona Löwen, the wife of St. Louis City’s Eduard Löwen, who passed away after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Eduard Löwen, who joined St. Louis as a designated player in 2022, has not played this season. The result highlights LAFC’s dominance in the early stages of the 2026 MLS season, with the team maintaining an undefeated record at 4-0-0.#concacaf_champions_cup #alajuelense #la_fc #alejandro_morera_soto_stadium #mathieu_choiniere

LAFC vs. Alajuelense: decisive night in Costa Rica with quarterfinals on the line LAFC and newly appointed head coach Marc Dos Santos face a defining test in Costa Rica tonight, with their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign hanging in the balance. The team arrived in Alajuela and trained at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto on the eve of a match that will shape the early narrative of the club’s 2026 season. The Round of 16 series is level at 1-1 on aggregate after a one-sided but ultimately frustrating first leg in Los Angeles. Despite controlling the match, LAFC failed to capitalize, allowing Alajuelense to leave BMO Stadium with a result that now shifts the pressure. The equation is simple. A win sends LAFC through. Any draw other than 0-0 or 1-1 also secures progression. A 1-1 result forces extra time, while a scoreless draw or defeat eliminates the Black & Gold. The winner advances to face either Cruz Azul or Monterrey in the quarterfinals. There is also a layer of internal pressure. LAFC has reached two Concacaf finals (2020, 2023) but has yet to win the competition. Under Steve Cherundolo, the club built a reputation as a contender that fell just short. Dos Santos now inherits that context, and an early exit would immediately raise questions about continuity and ceiling. To make matters more tense, Steven Eustáquio remains a question mark for LAFC heading into the second leg. The midfielder has now missed two matches following the injury sustained in the game officiated by Drew Fischer, and as of yesterday, he was still unavailable in training. His absence would remove a key layer of control in midfield, particularly in build-up and tempo management, placing added responsibility on LAFC’s central unit in a match where composure on the ball could prove decisive.#lafc #concacaf_champions_cup #alajuelense #marc_dos_santos #estadio_alejandro_morera_soto

LAFC vs Alajuelense Preview & Prediction | 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup | Round of 16 Los Angeles FC will face Alajuelense in the Round of 16 of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the first leg set to take place in California. LAFC enters the match on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory over Dallas, securing their fifth consecutive win across all competitions. The club has already demonstrated strong form in the tournament, defeating Real Espana 7-1 on aggregate in the first round. Alajuelense, meanwhile, has shown consistency in domestic play, defeating San Carlos 2-0 to claim top spot in the 2025 Costa Rican Primera Division Clausura. The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with Alajuelense likely to benefit from playing at home. However, LAFC is viewed as the stronger team heading into the tie, given their recent performances and overall squad depth. The visitors will aim to build on their early success in the competition, while Alajuelense will look to leverage their home advantage to secure a positive result. For viewers, the match will be televised in the United States on TUDN and Fox Sports, with additional coverage available online via ViX and Fubo. Fans in the UK can stream the game live on the official CONCACAF YouTube channel. The prediction for the encounter favors LAFC, with both teams expected to score. The result could set the tone for the second leg, which will be played at Alajuelense’s home stadium. LAFC’s ability to maintain their winning streak and capitalize on their strong start to the campaign will be crucial in advancing further in the tournament.#lafc #concacaf_champions_cup #alajuelense #round_of_16 #costa_rican_primera_division_clausura