LAFC and LD Alajuelense Draw in Champions Cup Clash
LAFC played LD Alajuelense to a 1-1 draw in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 on March 10, 2026, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The match featured a dominant performance from LAFC, who outshot Alajuelense 28-4.
Alejandro Bran opened the scoring for Alajuelense in the 44th minute, ending LAFC’s impressive streak of 443 minutes without conceding a goal. However, Denis Bouanga equalized for LAFC in the 56th minute, marking his fourth goal in the 2026 Champions Cup, making him the top scorer in the competition.
LAFC’s performance included 11 shots on goal compared to just 3 for Alajuelense, showcasing their attacking prowess throughout the match. Despite the draw, LAFC remains unbeaten in 2026 with a record of 5-0-1, including a 2-0-1 record in the Champions Cup and a perfect 3-0-0 in MLS.
Head coach Marc Dos Santos expressed confidence in his team’s ability to win games like this, 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 qualified for Concacaf play four times and holds a strong home record of 7-2-1 in Concacaf competitions. In their previous encounter during the 2023 Concacaf Champions League Round of 16, LAFC defeated Alajuelense 3-0 in Costa Rica.
The second leg of this matchup is scheduled for March 17, 2026, in Costa Rica, where LAFC will look to secure a decisive result. As the teams prepare for the return leg, the outcome of this tie remains uncertain, with both sides eager to advance in the tournament.