Los Angeles FC (LAFC) surpassed this Wednesday with more difficulties than expected their round of 16 against Alajuelense from Costa Rica after losing 1-2 in the second leg (4-2 in total).
After the convincing 0-3 in the first leg in Costa Rica with a hat-trick from Denis Bouanga, the team led by Mexican Carlos Vela and current MLS Cup champion seemed to have the tie under control.
However, Alajuelense managed to score 0-2 in the second leg played in Los Angeles thanks to goals from Giancarlo González from the penalty spot in the 8th minute and Aarón Suárez in the 51st minute on the counterattack.
A goal from Vela in the 83rd minute, due to a defensive error from Alajuelense, brought relief to the LAFC fans in the final stretch.
Vancouver Whitecaps had fewer troubles, as they had beaten Real España from Honduras 5-0 in the first leg played in Canada and secured their spot in the quarter-finals with a 3-2 defeat in the second leg (7-3 on aggregate).
Getsel Montes with a brace and Ramiro Rocca scored for the Honduran team, who scored all their goals from set pieces, while Brian White and Simon Becher netted for the Canadian team.
LAFC and the Whitecaps will face each other in the quarter-finals.
Finally, Tigres UANL advanced to the quarter-finals by drawing 1-1 in their visit to Orlando City after a goalless first leg in Mexico, thanks to their away goal.
The goal scored by Mexican Sebastián Córdova in the first half was equalized by Austrian Ercan Kara in the 90th minute, but after more than six minutes of added time, Tigres secured their passage to the next round.
MGC