LAFC routs Tijuana to open Leagues Cup

LOS ANGELES — LAFC made a statement at BMO Stadium as they opened Leagues Cup 2024 with a 3-0 rout of Club Tijuana on Friday night.

LAFC managed to dominate despite only holding 34% possession and finishing with the same amount of shots as Tijuana.

“We did see opportunities in transition and to put our guys into those half spaces,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “

Denis Bouanga and Christian Olivera overwhelmed the Xolos on Friday night as the pair connected on each of LAFC's scoring plays.

Cherundolo shared how Tijuana failed to stop the duo. 

“The way to deal with that, in my opinion, is to not give them open spaces," Cherundolo said "and you have to kind of suffocate them and Tijuana wasn't able to do that.

"So advantage for those guys.”

While all eyes were on the offense. Cherundolo was equally as impressed by the backline and Hugo Lloris in particular, who earned a clean sheet. 

“I thought defensively, you know, Jesus Murillo made, some big plays for us," Cherundolo said. "He stepped up, and Aaron (Long) did as well.

“Hugo, he has a sense of calmness about him, when attackers are shooting or attacking our goal, where he makes it look very easy, but all of his experiences going into each of those moments, and all of his anticipation. He doesn't react, he anticipates.”

Olivera  put LA ahead in the 10th minute with an effort assisted by Bouanga, who dissected Tijuana’s backline before sending the ball over to Olivera for the tap-in.

Shortly following the opening goal, play was paused following the first goal after an incident involving Eddie Segura as he collided with Xolos captain, Christian Rivera, who was subsequently taken off the pitch on a stretcher in the 16th minute. 

Tijuana manager Juan Carlos Osorio was sent off after making head-to-head contact with an official in the aftermath.  

Tijuana assistant manager Cirilo Saucedo, who finished the match in place of Osorio on the sideline, said Rivera was sent to the hospital after the collision and did not have any other updates 

Play would resume in the 21st minute and Olivera went on to return the favor from the opening goal with an assist to Bouanga to double the lead before halftime.

After a bad pass by Xolos’ Diego Gomez, Olivera had an easy takeaway which resulted in an easy goal for Bouanga.

Coming out of the break, LAFC kept their foot on the gas pedal.

Olivera sent a long ball across the field to Bouanga, who let off a shot in the area that bounced off the post, back toward Bouanga then to Olivera who found himself in the right spot at the right time for the third goal of the evening.

Next, LAFC awaits the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 30 in the second matchday of Group 7 West at BMO Stadium and on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.