LAFC at LD Alajuelense
Thursday, March 9, 7:00pm PT
Location: Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto - Llano, Costa Rica
TV: FS2, TUDN, fuboTV
The MLS reigning Cup and Supporter Shield champions LAFC kicked off their 2023 MLS campaign on a high note after defeating the Portland Timbers 3-2 on Saturday, March 4 but will now shift their focus and prepare for the first leg of their Round of 16 Concacaf Champions League matchup against Costa Rican side L.D. Alajuelense.
The Clubs will meet for their first matchup on Thursday, March 9 at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Costa Rica and will then play the second leg at BMO Stadium on Wednesday, March 15.
This will be the Black & Gold’s second-ever appearance in the Concacaf Champions League and they will be looking to complete unfinished business after coming up short and losing 2-1 to Mexican side Tigres UANL in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League Final.
LAFC qualified for the tournament after winning the 2022 MLS Supporters Shield, while Alajuelense locked in its spot with a second-place finish in the 2022 Concacaf League.
ALAJUELENSE IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Andrés Carevic, Alajuelense is one of the most successful clubs in Costa Rica, with 30 domestic league titles and will be making their seventh Concacaf Champions League appearance. Their last appearance was in 2021 when they were defeated by Atlanta United FC 2-0 over two matches.
The Club is currently on top of the Liga FPD table (8-1-2) with 26 points and also leads the league in goals scored (31) through 11 games played.
Forward Johan Venegas (11 goals) leads Liga FPD in goals scored, while midfielder Aarón Suárez (5 goals) is tied for second.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can remain calm playing in a new environment as this will be the Club’s second-ever match outside of the country. LAFC will need to lean on Captain Carlos Vela, who played in the team’s first-ever CCL away match in 2020. Vela will be tasked with keeping the team composed as the Black & Gold will look to continue their run of solid play. The backline will need to play a near perfect game as they are going up against the top two scorers of the Costa Rican league.
ALAJUELENSE CAN WIN IF
They are able to take advantage of any mistakes LAFC makes, as the Black & Gold have been caught on counterattacks before and were exposed there several times on Saturday. Alajuelense is averaging nearly three goals a game and has scored 10 more goals than any other team in their this league season. The team has only lost one game out of their last 11 and will come in with high confidence having two top goal scorers in Venegas and Suárez.
