In a thrilling Leagues Cup 2025 encounter, Los Angeles Football Club secured a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night. The match was highlighted by a standout performance from 19-year-old Venezuelan international David Martínez, who netted both goals for the Black & Gold.
The game began with Tigres dominating possession, controlling nearly 70% of the ball in the first half and creating several chances for legendary striker André-Pierre Gignac. 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. In the 64th minute, Martínez capitalized on a pass from Artem Smolyakov, dribbled into the box, and slid a shot under Guzmán for his second goal of the game, restoring LAFC's lead.
The victory was significant for LAFC, not only because it kept their Leagues Cup quarterfinal hopes alive but also because it avenged previous defeats to Tigres in the 2020 Concacaf Champions Cup final and the 2023 Campeones Cup. Head coach Steve Cherundolo expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We got a lot out of this tournament so far. If it's the end of the road for us, then so be it. A lot of really positive performances from players we haven't seen a lot of this season."
Looking ahead, LAFC will return to MLS action on Saturday, August 9, when they travel to face the Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. PT and will be available live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Overall, the match showcased the resilience and skill of LAFC, with Martínez's performance serving as a testament to the team's potential as they continue their journey in the Leagues Cup and MLS season.
