Club Leon vs. LAFC - CONCACAF Champions League final preview: TV Channel, live stream, team news & prediction
The first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final will see Club Leon host LAFC on Wednesday, May 31st at the Estadio Leon (Nou Camp).
Both Leon and LAFC had to get past league foes in the semifinals to set up the Liga MX - MLS final.
Leon lost the first semifinal leg against Tigres UANL 2-1, but were able to complete the comeback at home 3-1 to win the series on aggregate, 4-3 with goals from Fidel Ambriz, Angel Mena and Adonis Frias.
LAFC, on the other hand, held Philadelphia Union to a 1-1 draw in the first leg before the Black and Gold dominated the second leg 3-0to win 4-1 on aggregate as goals from Denis Bouanga and Kellyn Acosta propelled LAFC to the final.
The two sides met in the 2020 CCL round of 16 with Leon winning the first leg 2-0, and LAFC advancing after winning 3-0 in the second leg. Will Leon continue Liga MX's dominance in the competition or will LAFC build on last year's Seattle Sounders success?
Where to watch Leon vs. LAFC on TV/live stream?
When is kick off? 10:00 PM EST
Where is the game being played? Estadio Leon (Nou Camp)
TV channel/live stream? TUDN, FS1
What time does TV coverage start? 9:55 PM EST
Leon team news
Jose Rodriguez is a doubt for the game, while Jose David Ramirez's recovery from a hip injury is unknown.
Leon were three games unbeaten in their last five games. The two wins came against Tigres, one in the CCL and one in Liga MX and the draw came against Tijuana, 0-0.
Leon head coach Nicolas Larcamon knows how big this moment is for his side: "We want to contribute our grain of sand to give one more title to statistics in this competition. It means a lot to the city and the country, but the most important and relevant thing has to do with what it represents for León beyond what it represents for Mexican soccer."
LAFC team news
Unlike Leon, LAFC have a lengthy injury list: Kellyn Acosta is doubtful while Giorgio Chiellini, Jesus Murillo, Tony Leone and Maxime Crepeau are all still recovering from injuries and look to be back in training in early/mid June.
The Black and Gold have lost just once in their last five games against rivals LA Galaxy. Wins have come against San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake in the MLS and Monterey Bey in the U.S. Open Cup. The lone draw was against Sporting Kansas City, 1-1.
"I think it’s the perfect competition to start the first leg away," said Denis Bouanga, who has scored six goals in the CCL this season. "And if we are lucky enough and finish and win in front of our supporters, it would be the best gift we can give to them."
Leon vs. LAFC score prediction
It wouldn't surprise many if LAFC tried to play for a draw in the first leg as they'd like to go back to BMO Stadium with a chance to win the tie in front of their fans. However, Leon, who kept nine clean sheets this season in Liga MX, are also sound on the back end and will look to play the game in LAFC's half.
Given that the first leg is at home for Leon combined with Tim Tillman's comments claiming that Liga MX teams "really don't play that tactically," Los Verdiblancos will go into the game motivated and ready to prove the doubters wrong.
Prediction: Leon 2 - LAFC 0