Aguilar secures win for CS Herediano against LA Galaxy | OneFootball

CARTAGO, Costa Rica – CS Herediano earned a 1-nil win against LA Galaxy in the first leg of their round of 16 series as the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continued on Wednesday at Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica.

Gabriel Pec generated early chances for the visitors, with an attempt from inside the box in the 8’ and a powerful long-range shot in the 17’, both of which were saved by Herediano goalkeeper Dany Carvajal.

Herediano’s most important attacking play in the first half came through Allan Cruz in the 9’. LA Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy denied Cruz's right-footed shot from the left side of the box.

Rubén Ramos had a good look for the visitors in the 37’ with a right-footed finish inside the box after a pass from Marco Reus that was met by a big save from Carvajal.

Elías Aguilar found the opener to give the hosts the lead in the 65’, with a grounded left-footed drive to the far post from outside the box to capitalize on a ball recovery by Herediano in the final third.

Reus came close to equalizing for the Galaxy in the 69’, but Carvajal delivered another save to preserve Herediano’s lead.

Carvajal finished the match with four saves to collect his second clean sheet this CCC campaign.

The two sides will meet again for the second leg next Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, USA.

Post-match Data CS Herediano v LA Galaxy

With a victory over Real Salt Lake in the first round and a win in the

first leg against LA Galaxy tonight, Herediano is the first Costa Rican team

to record wins against multiple MLS clubs in a single edition of the

Concacaf Champions Cup since Alajuelense in 2014-15 (v. D.C. United and

Montreal Impact).

● Herediano is unbeaten in five straight home matches against MLS

opposition in the Concacaf Champions Cup (W3 D2), including a win

(tonight) and a draw (in 2013) against LA Galaxy. Herediano kept clean

sheets in four of those five matches.

● Elías Aguilar, who scored against Real Salt Lake in the first round and

against LA Galaxy tonight, is the first Herediano player to score in multiple

rounds in a single edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup since at least

2016-17.

● Elías Aguilar’s goal was the first of the 21 goals Herediano has scored

in the Concacaf Champions Cup since 2016-17 to be scored from outside

the box.

● Carlos Garcés won six tackles for LA Galaxy tonight, the most by a

player for an MLS team in the Concacaf Champions Cup since Kyle

Duncan won six tackles for the Red Bulls against Santos Laguna in 2019.