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Carlos Vela returns to Mexico but with LAFC

By Jahir M. Martinez

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC during the MLS Western Conference Semi-final between Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 5-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC during the MLS Western Conference Semi-final between Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 5-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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The CONCACAF Champions League Cup, Round of 16 is just a few hours away in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, in a game that could promise high fireworks and heavy competition on both sides of the field.

Eight games will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday for the round of 16 of CONCACAF Champions League Cup where the game that has stood out the most is the return of the Mexican star, Carlos Vela of LA FC to face the current third-place team of the Liga MX, Leon. The series will be two games, home and away series that will be first in Leon, Guanajuato than in Los Angeles, California that will define which team will move to the next round of the tournament.

The tricky part for LA FC currently is that they are less than 13 days from their first game of the MLS 2020 season so surely a lot of rust will be throughout tonight’s game but that can not be an excuse at a professional level but it could be a factor. Most importantly, LA FC has not seen any competitive action for nearly almost 100 days and that will be interesting as we have mentioned if it is in their favored being well-rested or just not enough grind behind the team.

Shockingly, LA FC superstar Carlos Vela will step foot for the first time since debuting as a professional in 2005 in Mexican grounds, the country that saw him grow and develop as one of the most talented players in this generation and as well this will be Vela first time competing in the CONCACAF Champions League Cup.

Vela is the role player and the difference-maker for LA FC as he has scored well over 59 goals and 20 assists since joining the team in March 2018. So certainly all eyes will be on Vela tonight to see his performances along with the entire team. As coach Ignacio Ambriz of Leon mentioned earlier to the press that, “Carlos Vela indeed is one of the most talented players Mexico currently has, because he thinks differently but also he plays differently.”

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Overall, LA FC’s biggest task will to either leave Estadio Leon tonight with a draw or better yet with a win to be comfortable back home next week when they welcome Leon for the second leg of the matchup.

Ambriz team currently has played 6 games with 4 wins, 0 draw and 2 losses with 14 goals in favor and 9 against. Not to mention that in the recent tournaments they have reached a final, been a super leader and as well been a constantly feared team throughout the Liguilla. Angel Mena is one of the leading goal scorers in the Clausura 2020 so far in a three-way tie with 5 goals scored, making him a viable threat for tonight game in Leon.

What will also standout on tonight’s game is that Leon is coming off a surprisingly 3-1 loss against Atletico San Luis that dropped them off the super leader status but still has kept them in a liable position in the league standings with 12 points. Just two points shy from regaining their super leader status of the Clausura 2020.

Could Leon possibly stop Vela on his tracks and not let him be the difference-maker in these next two games? Or will Leon fierce offensive team take apart LA FC defensive backline? Regardless It will be a game to watch and worth every minute.

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