LAFC targets Concacaf Champions League title after 2020 near miss

LAFC’s next quest for silverware begins Thursday in the Concacaf Champions League with a first-round series against LD Alajuelense. 

And if you think the Black & Gold aren’t as intensely focused on that as they were on capturing last year’s domestic double, you haven’t been listening.

While LAFC has had the chance to avenge previous playoff shortcomings, the memory still lingers from 2020’s run to the CCL final, when Diego Rossi staked the club to a second-half lead before falling 2-1 to Tigres UANL.

“That hurts, and that motivates us, and there is no hiding how important the Champions League is to us,” club GM John Thorrington said in January. “We talked about it from the beginning about being a global brand and a global club, and that is probably the best way of doing it, winning the Champions League… we hope we are the next( MLS club to win CCL).”

The first challenge

LAFC’s first-round opponent earned their berth by finishing second in the 2022 Concacaf League and sit first in Costa Rica’s domestic table, having lost only once in their last 11 games. And its roster includes plenty of familiar faces to MLS and Concacaf followers, including seasoned Ticos internationals Celso Borges, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Johan Venegas, and Alexander Lopez.

“Alajuelense is a very strong team,” said LAFC manager Steve Churundolo. “I think, from my perspective, a very well-coached team with a clear idea of how to play, defend, and score goals. We expect a very difficult game tomorrow and do not see us as favorites.”

Midfielder Ilie Sanchez added: “When you play internationally, you won't find many teams that are favorites in these rounds. I think these games against Alajuelesne are going to be tight, especially the one tomorrow. So we learned that from our coach and coaching staff, that made us aware of how dangerous Alajuelense can be.” 

The squad rotation question

Cherundolo and his coaching staff will have to determine whether to rotate their line-up to try and blunt the impact of travel and a short turnaround to Sunday’s league match against New England.

Some clubs -- Austin FC and Orlando City in particular -- have conserved roster resources either in their first CCL games or the MLS fixtures that preceded them.

But Cherundolo seemed to indicate he wouldn’t be taking that step, at least yet.

“Rotation is important when it's needed,” Cherundolo said this week, without giving away too much else. “If it's not needed, if your strongest 11 is fit and healthy and fresh, then there is no need for rotation, and that is where we are at right now. I think we are in a good spot.”

Where might Cherundolo spell some players? It could start with 38-year-old center back Giorgio Chiellini, who scored his first-ever MLS goal against Portland last weekend. And if he wants, Cherundolo could spell both Chiellini and Jesus Murillo while playing a tandem of Aaron Long and Denil Maldonado that has plenty of Concacaf experience.

Veterans like Sanchez and Carlos Vela both came off early in Saturday’s 3-2 league win against the Portland Timbers, and combined with the five-day gap between matches would seem to be likely starters.

Replicating their start

Cherundolo will also hope his side can replicate their dominant first 60 minutes against the Portland Timbers, in which they stormed to a 3-0 lead. But it may be tougher not only because of the away environment, but because LD Alajuelense is in mid-season form.

“Maybe that is a small advantage Alajuelense has that they are already in rhythm and have some fitness in their legs, but we are not far off,” Cherundolo said.

It’s also nearly 3,500 miles between the clubs, at least the equivalent of a trip to interconference rivals New England or Montreal, which could also be a neutralizing factor to LAFC’s apparent talent advantage. Alajuelense last played Friday at home, so it will be on nearly a full week of rest.