Following a frustrating penalty shootout loss to Mazatlán in their Leagues Cup opener, LAFC is aiming for a decisive rebound this Friday against 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup winners Pachuca at BMO Stadium.
Despite the 1-1 draw that led to an 11-10 penalty defeat, LAFC controlled the match against Mazatlán, holding 57% possession while leading in both shots (15-8) and expected goals (2.2-0.5). Head coach Steve Cherundolo expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance but lamented their inefficiency in front of the net.
“I was quite happy with the performance against Mazatlán, and the mentality and the attitude of the guys,” Cherundolo stated. “We just didn’t finish our chances at a good rate. If we finish our chances, then you’re sitting there with three points. Instead, you have one.”
Midfielder Timothy Tillman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a clinical edge. “What we’ve taken from Mazatlán is that we played well; we just need to take advantage of our chances and protect our goal,” he said.
Adding to the sting of the loss was the decisive penalty miss by Denis Bouanga, the all-time leading scorer in Leagues Cup history. However, Tillman believes the highly competitive Gabon international will be motivated by the setback. “He’s a guy that always wants to compete at the highest level, so he’s for sure mad about missing that PK,” Tillman noted. “But that might help us against Pachuca.”
The upcoming match is pivotal for LAFC’s tournament hopes. After reaching the final last year, their ability to advance to the knockout rounds now hinges on securing a positive result against a formidable Pachuca side that won their opening match 3-2 against San Diego FC. With both teams also participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the contest promises to be a high-level affair.
“I think we will create chances,” Cherundolo predicted. “The opponent will also create chances, and it becomes a matter of which team will be sharper in their boxes.”
Source link
