LAFC rallies to top Alajualense, advance to CONCACAF quarterfinals

It certainly wasn’t easy, but LAFC got through.

With only two days rest, having to travel to Costa Rica for the second leg of its CONCACAF Champions League with LD Alajualense in a hostile enviroment, the task got harder early in the match, as Santiago Van der Patten jumped Alajualense to the early lead.

LAFC however made the second half theirs. An equalizer by Nathan Ordaz as followed by late match drama from David Martinez, as his stoppage time goal enabled LAFC to steal the series win and advance in the tournament with a 2-1 win at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.

The win sends LAFC to the quarterfinals, where its biggest challenge to date awaits. LAFC will face the defending CONCACAF champions, Liga Mx powerhouse Cruz Azul. 

Alajualense got on the board just four minutes in. Ronald Matarrita sent a corner kick into the penalty area, Aaron Salazar headed the ball down and Celso Borges attempted a shot, keeper Hugo Lloris made the save, but  the ball went to Van der Putten, and he headed in the rebound chance to stake Alajualense to the lead in both the match and the series.

LAFC however turned the tide in the second half. LAFC tied the match in the 51st minute, as Mark Delgado tracked a ball played into the penalty area, Delgado touched a ball to Ordaz, who one-timed a left-footed shot past keeper Washington Ortega near post to level things up. That goal however would not have been enough for LAFC to advance, as Alajualense’ road goal as week would be the difference if the match ended in a draw, so LAFC pressed on. A chance by Denis Bouanga hit underneath the crossbar, but still stayed out of goal. LAFC however had one more shot, and Martinez made the most of it, as he took a few touches, then fired a left-footed volley from just outside the penalty area that beat Ortega near post to give LAFC the lead. LAFC killed off the remaining stoppage time.

LAFC jumps back into MLS play when they face Austin FC in the capital of Texas on Saturday.