CONCACAF
Carlos Vela seals Los Angeles FC’s pass to the semifinals
With a brace from the Mexican striker, the Black & Golds defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps by an aggregate score of 6-0.
Los Angeles Football Club learned from their mistakes and closed out the tie very quickly against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night. The Black & Golds arrived with a 3-0 advantage picked up last week in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals and they did not want any shocks so went looking for the result from the initial whistle.
A night for Carlos Vela
A few weeks ago the captain of the Black & Gold had said that he was not happy with the level shown at this start of the season, so on Tuesday night he decided to send a message to all his doubters. On minute 8 it was he, Carlos Vela, who scored the first goal from the penalty spot to give LAFC the lead on the scoreboard.
With the result against them, the Vancouver Whitecaps tried to find an equalizer that could give them some hope to continue fighting for the passage to the next round. But the Canadians could not break the home team with José Murillo and Aaron Long clearing away any dangerous chances created by the visitors.
The Los Angeles team then looked to put the tie to bed and on minute 32, Ilie Sánchez provided the perfect pass to Vela so that the Mexican could control the ball with his chest and finish with his left boot to score his second. The ‘Bomber’ already has three goals and one assist in four appearances in the Concachampions.
With the result now secured, LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo decided to make two changes to rest Ilie Sánchez and Kwadwo Opoku, who have been undisputed league and Concachampions starters, for the second half. But they did not take their foot off the accelerator and Cifuentes added a third of the night.
Just after the hour, the Ecuadorian midfielder cut in with his right leg on the edge of the box and used his left to shoot and find the back of the net. Vancouver goalkeeper Thomas Hasal watched on helplessly.
With this result, LAFC secured their pass to the semifinals of the tournament and now they will wait for the winner of the series between Atlas and Philadelphia Union that will be played on Wednesday night. That game will be played at the Jalisco stadium and the Major League Soccer team arrives with a 1-0 lead obtained last week at home in the first leg of the quarterfinal.