The Green Panzers edged LAFC in a tense battle, but the series remains wide open as the return leg approaches.
In the final stage of the Concacaf Champions League, the two teams finally met at Leon Stadium for a decisive clash. The Panzas Verdes dominated early, putting the scoreboard on notice with goals from William Tesillo and Ángel Mena. The visitors, however, found a late lifeline as Bouanga struck late, narrowing the gap to 2-1 and keeping the aggregate still within reach for LAFC.
The next encounter is set for Sunday, June 4, at Bank of America Stadium, where one of the clubs will seize the crown that Seattle Sounders recently vacated. The match promises a high-intensity rematch, with both sides aiming to stake their claim on a spot in the later stages of the competition.
GOAL brings you the most notable moments from the encounter, highlighting the strategic decisions, key plays, and turning points that shaped a gripping first leg.
LEÓN VS LAFC: MINUTE BY MINUTE
22:07 — Final whistle. León secures a 2-1 victory and carries a crucial advantage into the second leg.
95′ + 5′ — LAFC finds a late goal as Bouanga converts, keeping the tie alive in stoppage time.
90′ + 2′ — A goal by León is ruled offside, upsetting the home support but not the overall momentum of the match.
57′ — McCarthy prevents the hosts from adding a third goal, preserving LAFC’s chances.
21:15 — The second half begins.
20:59 — The first half concludes with León in front on the scoreboard.
45′ + 3′ — Ángel Mena converts from the penalty spot to extend León’s lead.
45′ + 2′ — León earns a penalty, signaling a critical moment in the game management.
45′ + 1′ — Barreiro narrowly misses another scoring opportunity for León.
7′ — Tesillo opens the scoring for León, giving the home side the early advantage.
6′ — A near-miss for León as the LAFC goalkeeper deflects Alvarado’s shot to a corner.
20:06 — The match kicks off with intent and high tempo.
19:00 — Welcome to the live report of the León vs LAFC first-leg clash in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League. Stay with GOAL for all the pivotal moments and analysis throughout the game.
THE PREVIOUS
Each side arrived with a clear objective of taking control of the tie. León sought to leverage home-field advantage and pressurize LAFC from the opening whistle, while LAFC aimed to absorb early pressure and strike back on counterattacks. The strategic balance and the pace of the play kept fans on edge, with neither team allowing the other to settle into a comfortable rhythm for long.
WHERE TO SEE ON TV AND ONLINE
The match was broadcast on Fox Sports, available on the Fox Sports app and Prime Video, ensuring fans in North America could watch the action in high definition. Canadian viewers could access the stream through the same platforms, with regional availability guiding the feed choice. People following the match through streaming services should ensure their subscriptions are up to date to avoid any last-minute access issues.
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LION
Dimension; Moreno, Barreiro, Frias, Tesillo; Romero, Ambriz, Moreno, Mena; Alvarado and Davila.
LAFC
McCarthy; Hollingshead, Maldonado, Long, Palacios; Ilie, Tillman, Cifuentes; Opoku, Bouanga and Vela.