Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (SCCL) Semifinals
Saturday, December 19, 2020
7:30 p.m. PT
TV: FS2 / TUDN / Univision
Radio: KFWB 980 La Mera Mera
The year 2020 has been a true rollercoaster ride for LAFC, now in its third year on the pitch. Wednesday night, the Black & Gold soared back to a high points, defeating Liga MX powerhouse Cruz Azul 2-1 in the Quarterfinals of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (SCCL), positioning the Club one win away from its first international final and a potential berth in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar.
LAFC now find themselves looking towards the SCCL Semifinals against another Mexican giant in Club América, and this will be no easy task. However, as the last MLS side remaining in the regional competition after Atlanta United, New York City FC, and the Montreal Impact were all recently defeated in their respective Quarterfinal matchups, the Black & Gold represent not just the City of L.A., but all of MLS.
Already making history, LAFC is now one of two MLS clubs (Toronto FC in 2018) to eliminate multiple Liga MX clubs in the knockout stage of CCL, and no MLS team has ever beaten three Liga MX clubs in one tournament.
Club América had a strong 2020 Liga MX season. They remained atop the League table for most of the year and finished top four to guarantee them a spot in the 2020 Guard1anes Liguilla playoffs. They ultimately fell to their arch-rivals Chivas 3-1 on aggregate in the playoff quarterfinals, ending their season. The Club has strong roots. They have won a record seven CCL titles, and have taken a record 13 Liga MX titles while featuring a veteran squad that have extensive domestic and international experiences.
“We have respect for the institution of Club América,” LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley said. “We have respect for [their coach Miguel] Herrera. A semifinal against Club América is special. We are in our third season and we are still growing. But we are proud of our football, proud of our fanbase and we have talked often about how we started the season so excited to be in Champions League.”
A fired up Black & Gold will look to channel that excitement into another win Saturday night.
CLUB AMÉRICA IN DEPTH
Quite simply, Club América is the biggest team in Mexico and the biggest spenders. They boast a veteran, experienced core featuring Mexican National Team goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, along with young studs mixed in such as Uruguayan international Sebastián Cáceres and Argentine standout Santiago Cáseres. They also are guided by a strong player-first manager in former El Tri manager, Miguel Herrera.
BEEN HERE BEFORE
In an interesting role reversal from most of the year, LAFC appears to be in the driver’s seat for this upcoming match. Just take a look at the circumstances.
Playing on only three days rest? LAFC has been having to deal with short turnarounds all year thanks to Major League Soccer’s relentless return to play schedule. Dealing with the added mental pressures of a bubble atmosphere? LAFC has already gone through that experience for far longer than a week during the MLS Is Back Tournament in July. Not to mention, Club América is actually coming off a loss in their last game to Atlanta FC, a 1-0 defeat in the second leg of their quarterfinal series. Yes, they didn’t have to win as they were well ahead on aggregate, ultimately taking the series 3-1, but LAFC comes into the match with strong momentum coming off a win against Cruz Azul.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can keep the momentum going. If they can start early and carry the energetic, pressing style that caused havoc against Cruz Azul, they will find a win. Club América is tougher and more technically skilled than the Cruz Azul squad, but nonetheless, LAFC will bring the game to an América team that is used to MLS teams playing a more defensive style.
CLUB AMÉRICA CAN WIN IF…
In past matches, Club América has employed a system featuring wingers that come forward looking to cross the ball. It is a style of play that LAFC has struggled to defend consistently in the past. If América can get their crossing right and press LAFC’s weaknesses, they can find a victory.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…
· This match features two of the most recognized coaches in their respective countries in Bob Bradley, former U.S. Men’s National Team coach and Miguel Herrera, former Mexican National Team head man. With this match having more on the line than Club glory, it will be interesting to see how the two managers approach strategy.
· Kenneth Vermeer only faced one shot last match: a penalty. This reflects well on the job done by the LAFC backline, but the team is going to be facing a massive challenge against a more technically savvy Club América squad.
FINAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAFC ROSTER
Goalkeepers (3): Pablo Sisniega, Kenneth Vermeer, Phillip Ejimadu
Defenders (10): Tristan Blackmon, Erik Dueñas, Tony Leone, Diego Palacios, Eddie Segura, Mohamed Traore, Mohamed El-Munir, Jesus Murillo, Dejan Jaković, Jordan Harvey
Midfielders (6): Eduard Atuesta, Latif Blessing, José Cifuentes, Bryce Duke, Francisco Ginella, Mark-Anthony Kaye
Forwards (6): Danny Musovski, Kwadwo Opoku, Brian Rodríguez, Diego Rossi, Christian Torres, Carlos Vela
