LAFC vs CF Monterrey – August 11, 2023
The Black and Gold’s race in the Leagues Cup campaign came to an end as the LAFC vs CF Monterrey match ended in a 3-2 loss at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Even though LAFC had a 2-goal lead going into the second half, Monterrey were able to shut out LAFC for the rest of the game while scoring 3 goals of their own.
Denis Bouanga drew an early penalty kick only 18 seconds into the match when CF Monterrey’s Stefan Medina slid into the French winger’s legs 15 yards from the goal. Bouanga then successfully converted his shot with 1:27 on the clock, making it the fourth fastest goal scored in the history of LAFC.
In the 42nd minute of the match, LAFC’s Mateusz Bogusz shot one from top of the penalty area and over the head of CF Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The goal was Bogusz third for LAFC across all competitions and his first in Leagues Cup.
Unfortunately that was all she wrote for the Black and Gold in the LAFC vs CF Monterrey highlights, as a turn of events in the second match changed the rest of the game. In the 66th minute, a Video Review concluded that LAFC’s Kellyn Acosta committed a penalty on Monterrey’s Ali Avila. Victor Lopez converted the PK to put his team on the board down 2-1.
An own goal from Sergi Palencia provided even more momentum for the opposing team as they tied up the game in the 80th minute. Following a corner kick and a header, Palencia blocked Ricardo Renteria’s shot but the ball dribbled into the back of the net past LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy.
Bouanga, with some quality footwork, nutmegged Stefan Medina on a goal attempt but Andrada was there to block it this time around. The velocity on the strike just wasn’t there. Monterrey’s Jordi Cortizo drilled one in the 88th minute right on and off the hands of McCarthy, but the ball rolled toward Rogelio Funes Mori who struck one past both Palencia and McCarthy on the follow up.
Down 3-2, LAFC didn’t have enough time in stoppage to equalize and add onto the reel of LAFC vs CF Monterrey highlights. The Black and Gold will go back to BMO Stadium on Sunday, August 20 to play against the Colorado Rapids in continuation of the MLS Regular Season.
