For Steve Cherundolo, it’s an opportunity.
For Mahal Opoku, a sweet memory and a dream.
For Carlos Vela, the crux of the legacy building he wants to accomplish in 2023.
Everyone in Costa Rica for the Los Angeles Football Club’s second CONCACAF Champions League appearance has good reason to be locked in Thursday night when they face LD Alajuelense outside the capital city of San Jose.
Under Argentinian head coach Andrés Carevic, Alajuelense gained entry into CONCACAF by winning the Liga FPD title in 2022. Already 11 matches into its current season, the red-and-black club sits atop the Costa Rican league at 8-1-2, conceding eight goals while scoring 31.
“Alajuelense is a very strong team,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “From my perspective, a very well-coached team with a clear idea of how to play. A very clear idea of how they want to score goals, defend and win games. And they have done exactly that in their domestic league this year, so we expect a very difficult game. I do not see us as the favorites.”
Meanwhile, LAFC had its season debut less than a week ago with a home win against the Portland Timbers. After one competitive match, Cherundolo conceded that Alajuelense could have a “small advantage” over LAFC because “they’re already in rhythm and have fitness in their legs. But we are not far off, for sure.”
LAFC can’t afford to be in a competition that is difficult to reach and can go as quickly as it comes.
Eyeing the important international competition early on its calendar, LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez, who started six CONCACAF matches and scored a pair of goals for Kansas City in 2019, said “we’ve done a very conscious and strong preseason to be able to get ready for these first games of our season.”
Cherundolo and his coaching staff ensured players were prepared for a glut of matches from March to May, beginning with the two-leg Champions League Round of 16 versus Alajuelense.
“Reminding players of what potentially could come their way enables them to not waste training days in preseason and not waste moments to gain fitness,” Cherundolo said. “I think we did a great job of that and players were very aware and keen on making the most of training days and friendly games.”
In 2020, LAFC set the bar high by advancing to the Champions League final, losing 2-1 to Liga MX’s Tigres UANL.
On the way to the championship match on a neutral field in Orlando due to the pandemic, LAFC played some of its most memorable games under then-head coach Bob Bradley.
Opoku scored his first goal with the club, an “amazing memory,” he said.
Vela, as captain, made life difficult for four Mexican opponents by playing some of his best soccer with Los Angeles, joining Diego Palacios, Jesus Murillo and the departed Diego Rossi on the team of the tournament.
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“When I finish my career, I want to leave this club in the highest (position) as possible,” Vela said regarding LAFC’s success three years ago and wanting more ahead of the club’s return to CONCACAF this week and next on March 15 at BMO Stadium.
“We see it as an opportunity, not as a difficulty or a challenge,” Cherundolo said. “It’s an honor to play in the Champions League. It’s one that we earned and one we would love to repeat year after year.”
LAFC vs. LD Alajuelense
What: CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16
When: Thursday, 7 p.m. PT
Where: Estadio Alejandro Morero Soto, Alajuela, Costa Rica
TV: FS2, TUDN, fuboTV