C.F. Monterrey should provide LAFC with stiffer test in Leagues Cup quarterfinal

Singer, songwriter Marco Antonio Solis, a famous supporter of Club Atlético Morelia, made an inadvertent assist to a far more successful Mexican soccer team this week.

C.F. Monterrey meets the Los Angeles Football Club in the quarterfinal round of the Leagues Cup on Friday night at the Rose Bowl.

Rayados, the “striped ones,” can thank Solis’ 40-city “El Buki World Tour 2023,” which is winding through North America and Spain.

The 63-year-old musician lands at BMO Stadium in south L.A. on Saturday, so for the second time this year LAFC will play in Pasadena, where an MLS record 82,110 spectators watched the Black & Gold lose to the Galaxy on July 4.

Originally set as the season opener, the Independence Day “El Trafico” benefitted from months to fill the stands following a late February postponement due to inclement weather.

With a couple of days to sell tickets to this match, a limited-capacity crowd approaching 30,000 is expected for LAFC-Monterrey.

All 47 Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams participated in the expanded month-long tournament.

Solis’ beloved Monarcas were not included after getting relegated from Liga MX in 2020, however the Leagues Cup has provided several moments to gauge how the first divisions in American and Mexican club soccer stack up from top to bottom.

Monterrey, perennially among the best teams in Liga MX, is unbeaten through four matches, winning in Utah, Seattle and Portland before taking out its rival, Tigres, on a neutral field in Houston.

“I think it is the most fit team of Liga MX and has a very high level within this continent,” LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez said.

“With all due respect,” he continued, “this is also a test we face with a lot of hope with an opportunity to measure up to them and to see where we are in regards to a team like Monterrey.”

As was the case when LAFC suffered against Liga MX’s Club León in this year’s CONCACAF Champions League final, taking the game to Monterrey is easier said than done.

“It’s certainly one of the best teams in the tournament and if you’re trying to win a tournament you have to beat those teams,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “It’s a big obstacle for us. We like challenges here.”

Deep with “fantastic footballers” who “can hurt any team,” Cherundolo said Monterrey’s physical ability makes them “exceptional.”

The five-time CONCACAF champions prefer to build out of the back, using center backs and two defensive midfielders to push the attack. But sending numbers forward can leave them vulnerable to counter-attacks, which LAFC excels at when its press and collective defending are sharp, as the team has been since an 18-day break prior to entering the knockout stage.

Making good use of the time off it earned as the reigning MLS champion, LAFC has been clinical in the attack, scoring 11 combined goals against lower-ranked Liga MX side FC Juárez and MLS playoff contender Real Salt Lake.

LAFC captain Carlos Vela will be a game-time decision after missing the Round of 16 match against RSL. Newly signed LAFC forward Mario Gonzalez became available for selection when the Spaniard received his P1 visa on Thursday.

“From the first minute you’ve got to bring it,” LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta said. “Otherwise if you get bullied in these types of games, the games become very, very challenging.”

LAFC VS. C.F. MONTERREY

What: Leagues Cup, quarterfinal

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena

TV/radio: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass), 710 AM, 980 AM