The Champions: LAFC travels to Mexico to begin CCL play against Club Leon
LAFC are back! Back in Black! Carlos Vela and company begin Year 3 with a trip to Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico to take on Club Leon in the CONCACAF Champions League. This will be the first appearance in the CCL for the Black and Gold as they aim for history, once more. In preparation, the boys in black have gone through a series of preseason matches, including a 2-0 win against Uruguayan visitors Penarol and a 2-2 draw in a friendly against FC Dallas.
Leon are making their second ever appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League, with their previous marking in 2014. Photo Credit: Club Leon via Instagram (@clubleon_oficial)
Who is Club Leon?
Club Leon plays in the top flight of Mexico, Liga BBVA Bancomer (Liga MX). Known as Leon, the club from Guanajuato has won 7 league titles, with the most recent win in 2014.
Leon’s greatest finish in this tournament was back in 1993, with the tournament being called the Champions Cup at the time. Club Leon finished as Runner-up in a loss against Costa Rican club, Deportivo Saprisa.
Club Leon are entering Tuesday night’s CCL clash against the Black and Gold with a 3-1 loss against Atletico San Luis in their previous fixture. Photo Credit: Club Leon via Instagram (@clubleon_oficial)
Are they one to worry about?
Probably not a team to worry about, but a team not to look over and underestimate. Leon are currently in 3rd place with 12 points and a +5 Goal Differential in the Clausura of the Liga MX, but are coming off a huge 3-1 loss against Atletico San Luis. The match was not the only thing they lost. One of their star defenders Yairo Moreno, and star winger Nicolas Sosa, both of which will miss 3-4 weeks due to a strained muscle and torn muscle injuries for each player respectively. Leon’s skipper Nacho Ambriz, will need to produce a rabbit out of his hat to make up for the severe loss in those key positions. Will LAFC take advantage of these injuries to Leon’s squad?
It won’t be easy to compliment their previous season, but it is not impossible. This “new look” squad is looking to start the 2020 season with a bang by advancing to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions League. Photo Credit: LAFC via Instagram (@lafc)
New look…Fresh start…Same Goal
With a bitter sweet end to a very successful and record breaking 2019 season, the Black and Gold are looking to bounce back and show the rest of the world that they belong in the conversation among the worlds elite clubs. By competing in the next grandest stage of the Americas-The Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League- LAFC will have their first chance to truly prove their worth. Many squad changes were made during this off-season. Some very important trades paved the way to some key acquisitions……
LAFC arrive in Leon and begin practice at Nou Camp a night before the first leg against Club Leon. Photo Credit: Club Leon via Instagram (@clubleon_oficial)
Predictions
The best way to respond to last season is by starting this season with a bang, and what better way to do it then by getting the first Cup match win against an elite club like Leon?
Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen, but, I don’t see a loss out of this first leg at all. LAFC will draw 1-1 with a goal contribution from Brian Rodriguez, making them the leaders by Away goals as the Black and Gold head back to the City of Angels for the second leg.
Thank you for taking time to read my preview for tonight’s match against Leon in the CONCACAF Champions League. If you really enjoyed this write up and would like to see more, feel free to follow me on social media.
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Thank you, and remember, LA is Black and Gold!