LAFC returns with record-breaking 7-1 win in Leagues Cup debut

Goals, goals, goals

As these records display, goals were raining down at BMO Stadium as if LAFC had to make up for the lost time. When asked if a hunger to get back on the field is what led to his team’s success in front of the net, Steve Cherundolo simply replied, “What do you think?”

Since the club's inception, LAFC has been built on scoring goals while playing beautiful football. After a heavy slump, the break for LAFC seems to have brought their identity back. Now unbeaten in four matches, the Black and Gold have scored at least three goals twice in their past three matches — something they had failed to do once in their previous 14 matches.

After Kellyn Acosta recorded his first assist of the season via a deflection to open the scoring, Carlos Vela and Dénis Bouanga turned the match into a debate for who was the best player on the pitch. Bouanga recorded his third hat-trick of the season to go along with an assist while Vela had three goal contributions of his own, scoring both of his goals in style. For Vela, Wednesday marked the third match in a row with a goal, while Bouanga jumped to 22 goals and eight assists through 29 matches this season across all competitions.

“The break was good for me but I miss playing,” Bouanga told me postgame through a translator. “I really want to play every three or four days.” Surely everyone watching wants the same.

To put the cherry on top of a historic night for LAFC, Nathan Ordaz scored the first goal of his senior career, becoming the second homegrown player to score a goal for the first team (joining Christian Torres). The 19-year-old found his first senior assist two matches ago against St. Louis despite limited minutes off the bench recently. After scoring in his first appearance of over ten minutes since June 17th, LAFC fans will be eager to see as much of their talented homegrown as possible. 

‘Relief,” Ordaz spoke of his emotions after the goal. “It was a long time coming. I felt like I could’ve scored in other games so I was waiting for it.” Finally, he's got it.

Quick starts and debut wins

In 2022, LAFC garnered a reputation for being a “second-half team." This season, however, is all about the start. When scoring first this season, LAFC is unbeaten with a 14-0-3 record. The Black and Gold are nearly impossible to catch when given a head start. 

“A lot of these games have been going to penalty shootouts so it’s nice to end the game in regulation as well,” Cherundolo pointed out. “At an early moment too, the game was decided. We’re really happy with that.”

These early goals have also led to debut wins in 2023. In all four competitions (MLS, USOC, CCL, and Leagues Cup), LAFC have won their debut match this year. It’s no coincidence they have also scored the first goal in all four matches. Additionally, the reigning MLS champions' win capped off a perfect debut day for American teams in the Leagues Cup knockout stages, as MLS teams went three for three against Liga MX teams on Wednesday night, with Dallas and Houston knocking out Mazatlán and Pachuca respectively. 

On to the next

With the win over Juárez, LAFC moves on to the Leagues Cup Round of 16 where they will host the winner of Real Salt Lake vs. León. Both provide intriguing storylines.

If RSL beats León on Thursday night, Chicho Arango will face his former team in just his seventh RSL game. He already has two goals and would be eager to add to that tally. On the other hand, should León advance, the Leagues Cup would provide a rematch of this season’s CCL final. 

“Two very good teams,” Aaron Long said of LAFC’s potential round of 16 opponents. “I think we’re all going to be watching and seeing who we play next.”

Whoever they face, LAFC will be hoping for a squad boost ahead of the round of 16. If new signings Mario González and Filip Krastev are able to receive their visas in the next few days, they may be able to register for the Leagues Cup in time to help their new club in a quest for another trophy.