Raphael Veiga had the final touch on an excellent team goal as Club America beat the Philadelphia Union 1-0 on Tuesday in Chester, Pa., in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 match.
The teams will complete the two-game, total-goal series on March 18 in Mexico City. The winner will advance to a quarterfinal matchup against either Nashville SC or Inter Miami.
In the 20th minute, Club America strung together a series of impressive passes, with Brian Rodriguez running onto the ball as he split
two defenders and drove toward the 18-yard box. Rodriguez squared the ball to Veiga, who set himself with his first touch and then fired in a 14-yard half-volley into the top left corner of the net.
The Union wound up with a 9-7 advantage in total shots, but the visitors didn't put any attempts on target.
Philadelphia goalie Andrew Rick made two saves.
Club America goalkeeper Angel Malagon got hurt late in the first half and was replaced by Rodolfo Cota. Neither was credited with a save.
LD Alajuelense 1, Los Angeles FC 1
Denis Bouanga scored the tying goal in the second half as host Los Angeles FC dominated play against LD Alajuelense but merely drew in the first leg of the series.
Alejandro Bran tallied from long range just before halftime for Alajuelense, who will host the second leg on March 17 in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The winning side will face a Mexican opponent in the quarterfinals, either Cruz Azul or Monterrey.
LAFC wound up with a 31-4 advantage in shots and a 13-3 edge in shots on target.
In the 44th minute, Alajuelense moved the ball down the right flank before a cross into the box was headed out by the LAFC defense. The ball came down in front of Bran, who connected on a 20-yard volley with his right foot, sending into the left side of the net past diving Los Angeles goalie Hugo Lloris.
Twelve minutes later, Son Heung-Min's pass from the top middle of the 18-yard box connected with Bouanga, who blasted a right-footed shot into the far side of the goal.
--Field Level Media
