June 1 – LigaMX’s Club Leon, pushing for their first Concacaf Champions League title in a competition traditionally dominated by Mexican clubs, will take a one goal lead over LAFC to Los Angeles this Sunday.
William Tesillo and Angel Mena scored for the hosts at the Estadio Leon in Leon, Mexico.
But despite being on the back foot for long periods of time, LAFC grabbed a crucial away goal in added time to narrow the gap to 2-1.
This is the last season of the current format of the Champions League that will expanded from 2024 to a 27-club competition and will include five rounds (Round One, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final) with all ties played in a direct elimination format.
It is a competition that has been dominated by LigaMX sides who had won 13 straight titles since 2009, until Seattle Sounders from the MLS broke the streak last year. LAFC, the current MLS champions, are looking to continue the league’s progress. LAFC were losing finalists in 2020.
Goalkeeper John McCarthy was the LAFC hero last night with a string of fine saves before 2023 SCCL top scorer Denis Bouanga scored his seventh goal of the tournament with the clock rapidly running down, and to set up Sunday’s finale.
Club Leon started fast, forcing McCarthy into early action. On 8 minutes Club Leon had the lead after a corner kick swung in by Mena was met by Tesillo’s head.
Club Leon kept the pressure on and on the stroke of halftime were awarded a penalty. A VAR review confirmed the decision and Mena converted to make it 2-0.
LAFC tried to claw their way back into the game early in the second half, but Club Leon were still creating the scoring chances and would have been 3-0 up had McCarthy not stopped Mena from point-blank range.
With time running out, LAFC gave themselves a lifeline. A cross from Diego Palencia met the in-coming Bouanga, who hit the ball first time to pull a goal back and take the 2-1 final scoreline back to California.
The winners will qualify for the 2023 Club World Cup to be played in Saudi Arabia later this year.
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