After nearly a two-and-a-half week break, LAFC returned to action in style by decimating Liga MX's FC Juarez 7-1 in the 2023 Leagues Cup round of 32.
It was a clinical performance from the 2022 MLS Cup champions in their debut in the competition, putting seven past the opposition with only 47% possession. It's safe to say it pays to have lethal finishers like Denis Bouanga, who bagged a hat-trick, and Carlos Vela, who scored a brace, up front for LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo.
As the Los Angeles club lifted the league title last year, they earned a group stage bye, allowing their squad rest up - and it showed against Juarez.
"It is our ambition to go as far as possible in this tournament and, who knows, possibly win," Cherundolo said.
The Black and Gold are still on for three trophies in 2023 - MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield, and now Leagues Cup. But they've already missed out on one piece of silverware this year: the Concacaf Champions League (now rebranded as the Champions Cup) against Liga MX side Club Leon, as they were edged 3-1 on aggregate by Los Verdiblancos.
In the round of 16, LAFC will end up playing either MLS foe Real Salt Lake or Leon - which would set up an epic rematch of the Champions League final that took place roughly two months ago.
But Cherundolo doesn't see it that way: "It’s a great team. But by no means do we use what happened in the Champions League final as a source of motivation or revenge. It’s a different competition."
The Black and Gold will gear up for the next phase of the tournament on August 8, and will know their opponent by August 4 as results come in from the final games of the round of 32.
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This article was originally published on 90min as LAFC make Leagues Cup debut with huge 7-1 win against FC Juarez.
