No Vela, No Problem. LAFC dominates Real Salt Lake and advances to the next round in Leagues Cup

On a beautiful 75-degree, warm day in Los Angeles. LAFC is coming off a 7-1 victory to face Real Salt Lake in the round of 16. RSL comes into this match led by former LAFC sticker Chicho Arango. The Black and Gold did not start Carlos Vela in this bout. 

The outset of this match had LAFC taking control of possession and shots on goal. Possession was at 60-40 in favor of the home team. Also, Cherundolo’s team had 4 shots on goal in the 22 minutes of the game. Contrary to Real Salt Lake, with zero shots on goal in the first 25 minutes of the game. As the half progressed RSL was slowly imposing its will. They started to have more possession. However, that changed as The Black and Gold adjusted, and they managed to retain the ball and control the game. Both teams went into the half-tied-up and zero.

Photo credit: Andres Magallanes

As the second half was underway, it appeared like a mirror image of the first half. However, that changed in a matter of seconds. In the 52nd minute in a 2-pass fast break, Dénis Buoanga scored the go-ahead goal with a lethal pass from Mateusz Bogusz. Two passes are all it took. Four minutes later, after a horrible turnover from RSL, Buoanga scored with his right foot into the top center of the net.  

Photo credit: Andres Magallanes

Soon after, in the 62nd minute the young, 19-year-old phenom, Nathan Ordaz put LAFC up by a score of 3-0. The 2nd half was dominated by LAFC and the team depth was on full display. Later in the 84th minute Filip Krastev added the 4th goal of the night for the home team, and they had command of RSL from start to finish. The Black and Gold advance to the next round and will face powerhouse Liga MX, Monterrey. They will face off Friday, August 11th, 2023, at the Rose Bowl.

Photo credit: Andres Magallanes