#lafc

LAFC Enters High-Stakes Clash Against Austin FC in Quest for Fifth Straight Win LAFC continues its historic four-game winning streak as it prepares to face Austin FC at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, in a crucial Western Conference matchup. The Black & Gold, which has maintained an undefeated record of 7W-0L-1D across all competitions this season, enters the game with a perfect 4W-0L-0D in MLS play. The team’s dominance is underscored by its ability to secure four consecutive shutout victories to start the campaign, a feat unmatched in MLS history. Austin FC, meanwhile, sits in 11th place in the Western Conference after four matches, with a record of 1W-2L-1D. The Verde, as the team is known, has struggled to convert chances, scoring five goals while conceding seven. Their expected goals (xG) total of 4.1 ranks 26th in the league, and they have lost the xG battle in three of their four games this season. Despite these challenges, Austin’s home crowd at Q2 Stadium is expected to provide a significant advantage, with fans known for their vocal support and energetic presence. LAFC’s preparation for the match has been intense, as the team traveled directly to Texas following a dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over Alajuelense in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The victory secured their place in the CCC Quarterfinals, and the squad has spent the past three days in Austin recovering, reviewing game footage, and conducting training sessions. Coach Carlos Dos Santos emphasized the team’s resilience, noting that the players’ camaraderie and focus remain strong despite the extended travel. “They like to be around each other,” Dos Santos said, highlighting the locker room’s unity. However, LAFC faces key challenges in its lineup.#lafc #austin_fc #q2_stadium #carlos_dos_santos #paulo_futre

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

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

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

Son Heung-min Aims to End Goal Drought in CONCACAF Champions Cup LAFC’s star player, Son Heung-min, is set to resume his goal-scoring campaign in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Despite leading the team’s attack early in the season with assists, he has struggled to find the back of the net in his last four matches, raising questions about his ability to regain his scoring form in the tournament. The South Korean forward will face Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense in the Round of 16 first leg at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on March 11 (Korean time). The CONCACAF Champions Cup holds immense significance for LAFC, which reached the finals in 2020 and 2023 but fell short both times. The club sees this season as a chance to secure its first title in the competition. As the premier club tournament in North and Central America and the Caribbean, the Champions Cup offers a pathway to the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, with 27 teams from CONCACAF member nations participating. LD Alajuelense, the reigning CONCACAF Central American Cup champions, will be a formidable opponent, though LAFC holds an edge based on recent form. LAFC has extended its official match-winning streak to five after a 6-1 victory over Real España in the first leg of the Champions Cup last month. The team has demonstrated strong defensive discipline, conceding no goals in their last four matches. Son Heung-min, the team’s attacking focal point, has been instrumental in this stability. With one goal and six assists in official matches this season, he has driven LAFC’s offensive efforts. His aggressive pressing and movement upfront have disrupted opponents’ buildups, contributing to the team’s four consecutive clean sheets. However, Son’s recent goal drought has sparked concerns.#lafc #ld_alajuelense #son_heung_min #concacaf_champions_cup #bmo_stadium

Bran, Bouanga trade goals in LAFC–LD Alajuelense draw LOS ANGELES – The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup continued with a 1-1 draw between LAFC and LD Alajuelense in the First Leg of their Round of 16 series on Tuesday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA. A right-footed strike from outside the box in the 44th minute by Alejandro Bran gave the reigning Concacaf Central American Cup winners the lead. The hosts equalized in the 56th minute through a collective play from midfield that found Denis Bouanga in the box, who struck a right-footed shot for the tying goal. LAFC attempted a comeback in the 80th minute with Artem Smoliakov attempting a long-range shot that missed the target. The MLS side pressed throughout the second half, but LD Alajuelense’s defensive line held firm. Goalkeeper Washington Ortega finished the match with 10 saves, delivering a standout performance. The two teams will meet again in the Second Leg on Tuesday, with LD Alajuelense hosting LAFC at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The team that wins on aggregate will advance to the Quarterfinals. LAFC have outscored opponents 17-4 in 10 all-time home matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Three of the four goals they have conceded at home in the competition have come against LD Alajuelense (two in the 2023 Round of 16). The MLS side completed 754 passes against LD Alajuelense, the highest number by any team in a Concacaf Champions Cup match since at least the 2016-17 season. This surpassed the previous record of 744 set by San Diego FC against Pumas UNAM in Round One of this season’s competition. Alejandro Bran’s 44th-minute goal came on the 13th shot attempt of the match, but it was LD Alajuelense’s first.#alejandro_bran #denis_bouanga #lafc #ld_alajuelense #washington_ortega