By Justin Ruderman
LAFC kept their Leagues Cup 2025 hopes alive with a crucial 2-1 win over Tigres on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium, climbing into the fourth and final advancement spot in the MLS Phase One standings.
Tigres dominated possession early, controlling nearly 70% of the ball in the first half and creating several chances for legendary striker André-Pierre Gignac. But despite their control, it was LAFC who struck first.
Shortly after subbing in for the injured Jeremy Ebobisse, Timothy Tillman drew a penalty from Tigres captain Fernando Gorriarán. Winger David Martínez calmly converted from the spot to send the Black & Gold into halftime with a lead against the run of play.
Tigres responded immediately after the break. Iván López, brought on at halftime, headed home a perfectly placed set piece from Juan Brunetta just two minutes into the second half to level the score.
LAFC answered with a wave of pressure, forcing two standout saves from veteran goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán. But Martínez proved unstoppable. The electric Venezuelan winger sealed his brace with a blistering solo run from midfield, outrunning two defenders and finishing clinically to restore LAFC’s lead.
Tigres pressed for another equalizer as tensions rose, and Brunetta came close with a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar. But LAFC held firm to secure their first regulation win of the tournament—and a lifeline in their push to reach the Knockout Stage.
REACTIONS
- LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo:
- "I thought it was an excellent performance, a lot of grit, tactical discipline, good positioning... Then at halftime, obviously, we made a formation change, which allowed our midfielders to have a little more of the game and for us to control the middle of the park a little better. I think that definitely helped."
- LAFC Defender Ryan Raposo:
- “I think we stuck to the game plan the whole 90 minutes and at the end of the day, we got the job done. We got the three points and I think that's it's a good win, good team win... It'll give us confidence, hopefully in the next round, but if not, in our first MLS match back.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- LAFC:
- David Martínez: The 19-year-old Venezuelan wonderboy netted a brace to win the game for LAFC.
- Tigres:
- Iván López: The 26-year-old Mexican scored Tigres’ lone goal on the night with a pinpoint flicked header into the top corner.
GAME NOTES
- As it stands, LAFC holds the fourth and final advancement spot in the MLS Phase One table on six points while Tigres also occupy a knockout round position in third place in the LIGA MX Phase One standings, also on six points. Both will still need help elsewhere to reach the knockouts.
- David Martínez has scored three league goals in 19 MLS matches this season. He has already matched that tally in just three Leagues Cup matches.
- There was a special guest in the stands watching LAFC play. Son Heung-min was watching perhaps some of his future teammates in action.
- Mathieu Choinière made his LAFC debut off the bench.
- Iván López scored his first Tigres goal since arriving from Toluca in the offseason.
- The Black & Gold earned their first regulation win at Leagues Cup 2025, while the Universitarios dropped their first point of Leagues Cup 2025.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow cards:
- LAFC: Kenneth Nielsen, Adam Saldaña, Sergi Palencia
- Tigres: Nahuel Guzmán, Diego Lainez, André-Pierre Gignac
- Injury
- LAFC: Jeremy Ebobisse
LOOKING AHEAD:
- LAFC return to MLS action on Saturday in Chicago, hoping to return to Leagues Cup for a quarterfinal tie.
- Tigres continues LIGA MX action on Friday against Puebla with a possible Leagues Cup quarterfinal on the horizon.
