The Costa Rican club hands the MLS champs a rare home loss, but Carlos Vela’s goal in the 83rd minute secures a 4-2 aggregate win and sets up a matchup with Vancouver.
LOS ANGELES — Entering with a three-goal cushion following a dominant win in Costa Rica last week, the Los Angeles Football Club’s spot in the quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League seemed all but assured as the team returned to BMO Stadium to face LD Alajuelense.An assortment of missed chances from the defending MLS Cup champions combined with must-have goals and saves by the Caribbean visitors turned a presumed walkover into an awkward nailbiter.
Despite taking a 2-1 loss at home, Vela’s goal put the Black & Gold ahead for good on aggregate, 4-2, to nail down their quarterfinal spot. The Costa Rican champions capitalized in the eighth minute when a hand ball in the box was called on Giorgio Chiellini after Mexican referee Adonai Escobado’s video review.
The Costa Ricans added a second goal after halftime, finishing a counter off an LAFC set piece in the opposing side of the field when midfielder Aaron Suarez connected on a rebound.Several missed opportunities to ice the contest also came and went for LAFC.Forward Stipe Biuk could not make much of his chances, and until he provided late breathing room neither did Vela.
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