LAFC and LD Alajuelense Draw 1-1 in Champions Cup
On March 10, 2026, LAFC faced LD Alajuelense at BMO Stadium, ending the match in a 1-1 draw in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. Despite dominating the game with 28 total shots, LAFC was unable to secure a win.
Alejandro Bran opened the scoring for Alajuelense in the 44th minute, marking the first goal conceded by LAFC after a remarkable 443 minutes of play without allowing a score. Denis Bouanga equalized for LAFC in the 56th minute, bringing his tally to four goals in the 2026 Champions Cup, making him the top scorer in the competition.
LAFC outshot Alajuelense significantly, with 11 shots on goal compared to just 3 from the visitors. This performance continues LAFC’s strong start to the year, maintaining an unbeaten record of 5-0-1, including a 2-0-1 standing in the Champions Cup and a perfect 3-0-0 in MLS.
Coach Marc Dos Santos expressed confidence despite the draw, stating, “Draws like this, nine out of 10 times we’re going to win games like that.” Meanwhile, teammate 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.”
Historically, LAFC has had success against Alajuelense, previously defeating them 3-0 in Costa Rica during the 2023 Concacaf Champions League Round of 16. The team has qualified for Concacaf play four times in its history and holds a strong home record of 7-2-1 in Concacaf competitions.
The second leg of the matchup is set to take place on March 17, 2026, in Costa Rica, where LAFC will aim to secure a victory to advance in the tournament. As the teams prepare for this crucial match, details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential lineup changes or strategies that may be employed.
