By Justin Ruderman
Goals, Red Cards, and a Penalty Shootout — This Game Had It All
It all culminated with LAFC goalkeeper Thomas Hasal making two penalty saves to earn the shootout win following a 1-1 draw in regulation against Pachuca on Friday night at BMO Stadium.
In the first 10 minutes of the match, the Black & Gold press caused Pachuca problems, as Denis Bouanga capitalized on a stellar interception from Mark Delgado and an assist from Nathan Ordaz to open the scoring. Both wingers looked dangerous early, but in the 29th minute, Ordaz lashed out with an elbow to the body of Sergio Barreto and was quickly sent off after a VAR review.
Pachuca wasted no time taking advantage of LAFC’s next mistake. When Delgado mishit a clearance inside his own box just three minutes later, Elías Montiel placed a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to equalize.
After the break, Montiel nearly struck again with a long-range curler, only to be denied by a sensational full-stretch diving save from Hasal. Then, in the 83rd minute, Tuzos striker Jhonder Cádiz matched his LAFC counterpart by earning a red card—also on VAR review—for a high boot to the head of Nkosi Tafari, a foul that had initially gone uncalled.
Delgado nearly capitalized on the return to even numbers, hitting the back of the net five minutes later, but the flag was raised for offside, sending the game to a penalty shootout — LAFC’s second in two matches.
Luckily for the Black & Gold, Hasal was between the sticks this time. The Canadian goalkeeper delivered two impressive diving stops, including the match-winner, to secure two valuable points for LAFC in their second Phase One match.
REACTIONS
- LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo:
- “I think, congrats on the win feels weird in a penalty shootout, but I appreciate it... I would say congrats to the group, and I did, for the good performance. I think that's more important. I really, really liked the way the team approached the game.”
- LAFC Forward Denis Bouanga:
- “I've seen recently that I was at top of the [Leagues Cup goalscoring] chart... Now, I'll try to open a bigger gap with Messi just to stay on top.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Los Angeles FC
- Denis Bouanga: The LAFC talisman put his missed penalty against Mazatlán behind him early on against Pachuca with a clinical finish on his first shot of the game.
- Thomas Hasal: In his second start of the season for LAFC, the Canadian secured two points with two penalty saves. Not a bad Leagues Cup debut!
- Pachuca
- Elías Montiel: The 19-year-old Mexican netted his third goal in the first eight games of Pachuca’s young season.
GAME NOTES
- Denis Bouanga extended his lead atop the all-time Leagues Cup goalscoring charts with his 13th goal in the tournament. Lionel Messi is second with 10 goals.
- This was the first game of Leagues Cup 2025 to see a pair of yellow cards shown. Strikers Nathan Ordaz and Jhonder Cádiz will be suspended for their club’s final Phase One matches.
- Thomas Hasal recorded the first penalty shootout win of his first-team career.
- LAFC earned their third point of Leagues Cup 2025. Pachuca is on four points.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Los Angeles FC: David Martínez, Igor Jesus
- Club León: Alonso Aceves
- Red Cards
- Los Angeles FC: Nathan Ordaz
- Pachuca: Jhonder Cádiz
LOOKING AHEAD
- LAFC close out Phase One back at BMO Stadium on Tuesday against Tigres, hoping six points might be enough to reach the quarterfinals.
- Pachuca finish Phase One in Houston against the Dynamo, looking for a regulation victory to give themselves a legitimate chance of knockout qualification.
