LAFC cruises past Tijuana in Leagues Cup opener

LAFC started off Leagues Cup in wonderful fashion on Friday night. Cristian Olivera had a brace and Denis Bouanga scored a goal and assisted on Olivera’s first goal, as LAFC routed Tijuana 309 at BMO Stadium.

“The whole team played very well” Bouanga said. “We used all of their weaknesses and we hoped to score a few more goals and to have more players on the score sheet.” 

LAFC jumped ahead in the ninth minute. Denis Bouanga dribbled past the Tijuana defense into the penalty area and fired a shot that looked like it would sneak in at the far post. However, Olivera, who was part of the sequence from the middle lane, didn’t want to take that chance, and he slotted the ball into the back net for the opening goal, and Tijuana’s protest that Olivera was all for naught.

The two players switched roles to double the LAFC advantage advantage just before halftime. Time time, it was Olivera that led the break, this one from the left side, Olivera then crossed into the penalty area,  keeper Antonio Rodriguez tried to cut off the cross, but missed the ball, and that left an open net for Bouanga, and he finished the ball into the back net to give LAFC a two-goal lead.

LAFC wrapped up the three points in the 51st minute. Eduard Atuesta sent a long ball, Denis Bouanga beat Tijuana’s offside trap to chase down the ball into the penalty area. Despite some last minute defending from Nicolas Diaz, Bouanga was able to get a shot off, the ball hit the near post, the deflected off Bouanga, but again, Olivera came in and finished the ball into the back net.

“After scouting the opponent, you have an idea of how they’ll play, but you don’t really know until the team shows up and they confirm what you saw in previous matches,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “We did see opportunities in transition, and to put our guys into those half-spaces.”

Just as important was LAFC’s offense getting off the ground on Friday night was its defense limiting Tijuana’s chances.  Tijuana’s offense basically consisted of two free kicks by Kevin Castaneda, one in each half, with both being saved by keeper Hugo Lloris.

“I thought, defensively, Jesus Murillo made some big plays for us and stepped up, Aaron [Long] did as well and Hugo [Lloris],” Cherundolo said. “Hugo has a sense of calmness about him when attackers are shooting or attacking our goal, where he makes it look very easy.”

LAFC resumes play on Tuesday night, as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps.