LAFC vs CF Monterrey
Friday, August 11 at 7:30 pm PT
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium - Pasadena, California
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
After a 4-0 shutout win over Western Conference rival Real Salt Lake Tuesday night, LAFC is set to square off against Liga MX giant C.F. Monterrey in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals Friday, August 11 at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
A Denis Bouanga double, along with goals from Nathan Ordaz and recent signing Filip Krastev, helped the Black & Gold secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
Krastev, a Bulgarian international who just arrived with the Club on loan from Belgian side Lommel SK, made history by scoring the fastest debut goal in LAFC club history just 8:41 after entering the match.
LAFC will be squaring off against its third Liga MX opponent of the year, having faced Club León in the CCL Final and FC Juárez in the Round of 32 of Leagues Cup.
MONTERREY IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Fernando Ortiz, Los Rayados (The Striped Ones) are one of three Liga MX opponents remaining in Leagues Cup, a new tournament that began three weeks ago and features all 47 clubs from Liga MX and Major League Soccer.
Monterrey outscored MLS sides Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle Sounders by a combined 8-2 margin through the Group Stage and Round of 32 before advancing to the quarterfinals by knocking out Mexican rival Tigres UANL on Tuesday with a late penalty kick in the Round of 16.
The Nuevo León-based Club is undefeated in its last seven matches across all competitions and sits in second place with seven points in the Liga MX Apertura season through three matches played.
THE BLACK & GOLD WILL WIN IF
It is able to continue its hot form. The Black & Gold have proven that the group stage bye did them well as it has outscored its first two Leagues Cup opponents 11-1. LAFC will need to continue to lean on Bouanga, who has scored five goals in two games. Captain Carlos Vela is expected to miss the Monterrey match due to injury.
Despite allowing only two goals in its last two games, the Black & Gold backline will have its hands full with a Rayados attack that managed to score 10 goals in three games prior to their matchup against the Timbers in the Round of 32.
MONTERREY CAN WIN IF
It can ward off fatigue. The Club will be playing its 5th match in 17 days on Friday and has scored two goals in its last two games after scoring 11 in its previous four games. Los Rayados will most likely roll out a 4-4-2 lineup and look to limit space and play the Black & Gold tight to limit attacking opportunities.
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