By Justin Ruderman
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 1st ever meeting
- Record at Leagues Cup: LAFC (7-4), Pachuca (2-3)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- LAFC:
- 2 Wins, 2 Draws, 1 Loss
- Fell on penalties to Mazatlán in Leagues Cup opener
- Pachuca:
- 4 Wins, 0 Draws, 1 Loss
- Defeated San Diego FC 3-2 in Leagues Cup opener
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Finalists in last year’s tournament, the Black & Gold have little room for error if they hope to replicate, or improve on, their impressive Leagues Cup 2024 campaign.
- Leagues Cup is one of the last chances for LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo to claim silverware with the Black & Gold before stepping down at the end of the season.
- In their first season under former Mexico national team manager Jaime Lozano, Los Tuzos sit atop the early LIGA MX Apertura table as the only team to win each of their first three matches of the season.
- Pachuca’s top scorer last season, Salomón Rondón, has been sent on loan and replaced up top with fellow Venezuelan international Jhonder Cádiz. The 30-year-old quickly netted 2g/1a in his first three Apertura matches for Los Tuzos and will search for his first in Leagues Cup on Friday night.
- Both of these teams had disappointing FIFA Club World Cup campaigns, earning a combined one point. Each is aiming to rebound in Leagues Cup.
KEY FACTORS:
- LAFC:
- All-time Leagues Cup top scorer Denis Bouanga (12 goals) missed the deciding penalty vs Mazatlán. Expect a response from this fierce competitor.
- Steve Cherundolo opted for significant rotation in the Black & Gold’s opening match. Will he do the same against Pachuca or reinsert the expected starters?
- 19-year-old Venezuelan phenom David Martínez has had an underwhelming league season but was the best player on the pitch against Mazatlán, scoring the lone LAFC goal. Another one on Friday night couldn’t hurt.
- Pachuca:
- Homegrown Mexican youth international Alexéi Dominguez Figueroa netted the first brace of his professional career in Los Tuzos’ opening win. Will the 20-year-old hyped as "the next Chucky Lozano" continue to use Leagues Cup as his breakout tournament?
- Fellow homegrown Mexican youth international Elías Montiel has played nearly every minute at the base of Pachuca’s midfield this season, netting two goals. Keep your eye on this talented 19-year-old.
- LIGA MX veteran Luis Quinones has one goal in his first four Tuzos matches since joining on a free transfer from Tigres. What can the 34-year-old produce in the absence of Oussama Idrissi to endear himself to his new fanbase?
WHAT TO EXPECT?
These are the matchups we cherish.
Two teams with the merit to qualify for the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup, yet so evenly matched that neither was able to earn a win in that competition.
Los Tuzos have quickly put that disappointment behind them with four consecutive wins. They started 3-0-0 in the new LIGA MX Apertura campaign to move atop the table before overcoming San Diego FC in their Leagues Cup opener. Meanwhile, LAFC similarly bounced back in the league but have yet to do so in tournament play following their devastating penalty shootout loss in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Mazatlán.
The Black & Gold will rely on Denis Bouanga (17) extending his lead atop the all-time Leagues Cup goal contribution charts to rebound on Friday with the help of youngsters like David Martínez. Similarly, Los Tuzos boast young talent in homegrowns Elías Montiel and Alexéi Dominguez Figueroa, as well as experience, including a potential debut (most likely off the bench) for recent addition William Carvalho, who concluded his 15-year European career to sign for Pachuca on Tuesday.
Both teams find most success in transition, but can beat you with the ball if you make them, setting up a fascinating contest at BMO Stadium on Friday night. On one side, a former United States international takes charge of his MLS side against a LIGA MX team led by a former Mexico international player and manager on the other. Let the rivalries commence.
