LOS ANGELES (AP) — In stoppage time of the second half, Nkosi Tafari headed in Son Heung-min’s free kick. And LAFC defeated Toluca FC 2-1 on Wednesday night in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals.
The overall winner will be decided in Toluca on May 6th.
Timothy Tillman scored his second goal in 17 games in all competitions this season in the 51st minute, giving LAFC a 1-0 lead. Tillman parried Heung-min’s touch with his chest and sent it past a diving Luis Garcia.
Three minutes later, it looked like LAFC had taken a 2-0 lead when Jakob Schaffelburg hit Sergi Palencia’s cross at the back post, but it was ruled offside after a lengthy review.
Toluca tied the game at 1-all in the 73rd minute when Jesus Ricardo Angulo scored his 12th goal of the season with a curling shot from the top of the box.
LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a double save in the first half to keep the score scoreless. Nicolas Castro’s close-range header was denied by a reactionary save from Lloris, who went to the ground to prevent Jesus Gallardo’s rebound at his near post.
LAFC’s forward Dennis Bouanga, who has scored five goals in this tournament, and defender Eddie Segura were absent due to accumulated yellow cards.
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