CONCACAF Champions Cup: Herediano stuns LA Galaxy and Guadalajara beats América

(AFP) A sharp shot and a a bit of luck secured 1-0 victories for Costa Rica’s Herediano and Mexico’s Guadalajara against the LA Galaxy and América in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2025 round of 16 on Wednesday.

At the José Rafael Fello Meza Stadium in Cartago, Costa Rica’s Herediano defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 with a 65th-minute left-footed strike from outside the box by Elías Aguilar.

The game will be played on Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

At Akron Stadium in Zapopan, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, Chivas edged out their bitter rival América 1-0.

In the 77th minute, América’s goalkeeper Ángel Malagón punched away a cross, but the ball rebounded off Uruguayan defender Sebastian Caceres' face and into his own net.

The second leg will take place on Wednesday at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium in Mexico City.

At Vancouver's BC Place stadium, the Vancouver Whitecapes salvaged a 1-1 tie with Mexico's Monterrey.

In the 21st minute, Roberto de la Rosa received a deep pass on the right, drove into the Vancouver box, and fired a low cross-shot to put Monterrey ahead 1-0.

Syrian defender Belal Halbouni tied the score for the Whitecaps in the 86th minute with a header off a free kick from the left.