LAFC vs FC Juárez
Wednesday, August 2 at 7:30 pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, California
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
Having secured a spot in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 by winning the 2022 MLS Cup, LAFC is set to face Mexican side FC Juárez in a Liga MX versus MLS, loser-goes-home showdown at BMO Stadium on Wednesday, August 2.
The Black & Gold are coming off a much-needed break after having played 33 matches in five months across all competitions. Leagues Cup represents LAFC’s fourth competition of 2023.
FC JUÁREZ IN-DEPTH
Led by first-year head coach Diego Mejía, Juárez is looking to leave their mark in their first-ever tournament on U.S. soil. Los Bravos handed Austin FC a 3-1 home defeat in an elimination match on Saturday, July 29. Four days earlier Juarez drew 1-1 with Mazatlán FC, the eventual winner of their three-team group. (Mazatlán bested Juárez 4-2 in the ensuing penalty shootout.)
Based in the northern Mexico town that neighbors El Paso, Texas, FC Juárez began play in 2015 in the Ascenso MX (second division) and was promoted to Liga MX in 2019. The Club is currently tied for second place (2W-0L-1D) in the 2023 Apertura season. The club plays a variable 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 in a style that does not demand possession but can quickly organize and attack once it gains the ball.
THE BLACK & GOLD WILL WIN IF
it can make its Leagues Cup debut at the energy level of the 30 clubs who advanced out of an intense pool-play round over the tournament’s first twelve days. LAFC earned the right to skip that group phase; now it must face an opponent who enthusiastically created two positive results in Austin while LAFC rested.
FC JUÁREZ CAN WIN IF
it carries its hot form into BMO Stadium. Juárez has yet to lose a match in regulation, across all competitions, since its Liga MX season began over a month ago. Forward Aitor García looked lethal against Austin on Sunday, scoring two goals and narrowly missing other big chances. Juárez can advance if García and winger (and SoCal native) Sebastian Saucedo continue to perform well.
