Real España vs LAFC: A Battle for Concacaf Glory
The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off with a compelling matchup as the LAFC embarks on a 2,300-mile journey to Honduras to face Real CD España. This two-legged Round One tie promises excitement and a glimpse into the ambitions of both clubs on the continental stage.
Match Details
- Location: Estadio Francisco Morazán, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Date: Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 p.m. PT
- Broadcast: FS2, TUDN, ConcacafGO, One Soccer (Canada), Coupang Play (Korea)
- Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera (Spanish), & KYPA 1230 AM (Korean)
The return leg will be played at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. PT.
LAFC’s 2026 Campaign Begins
This marks LAFC’s second trip to Central America and their first competitive contest of 2026, following a series of preseason friendlies against teams from Germany, the U.S., and Mexico. Coming off a strong 2025 season where they reached the Western Conference semifinals, LAFC boasts a largely unchanged roster, bolstered by the arrival of Korean star Son Heung-Min last August.
The dynamic partnership between Son and Denis Bouanga, a three-time MLS All-Star and LAFC’s all-time leading scorer, is expected to be a key factor. The duo combined for an impressive 25 goals and eight assists after Son’s arrival, even setting a new MLS record by scoring 18 consecutive goals.
New Leadership for the Black & Gold
Marc Dos Santos takes the helm as the new head coach, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous four seasons as an LAFC assistant coach. During that time, LAFC secured an MLS Cup, a U.S. Open Cup, and consistently topped the charts in goals, wins, and points.
“Marc obviously had a lot to do with what we thought was really good about LAFC,” stated Co-President and GM John Thorrington. “He has ideas on how to tweak things, and the staff has already begun implementing those tweaks.”
Roster Additions and Depth
To handle the demanding schedule, LAFC has added depth to their squad with the signings of midfielders Stephen Eustáquio and Amin Boudri, and forwards Tyler Boyd and Jacob Shaffelburg. Young talents Nathan Ordaz (22) and David Martínez (20) continue to impress, both earning recognition on MLS’s 22 Under 22 list last season.
A Look at Real España
Real Club Deportivo España, nicknamed Los Aurinegros, is a historic Honduran club with 12 league titles. They earned their spot in the CCC by reaching the semifinals of the 2025 Central American Cup. Currently leading the Liga Nacional Clausura standings, Real España is riding a six-game unbeaten streak.
Defender Devron Garcia, a former Orlando City player, leads Real España in minutes played. The team will be relying on the experience of veteran goalkeeper Luis “Buba” Lopez, who previously played for LAFC on loan in 2018.
A Goalkeeping Duel
This matchup features a fascinating goalkeeping battle between LAFC’s Hugo Lloris, a two-time World Cup finalist and 2018 World Cup champion, and Real España’s Luis Lopez, a Honduran international with over 50 caps.
Central American Connections
LAFC has a history with Honduran players, including Denil Maldonado and Andy Najar, both of whom have played alongside Lopez on the Honduras national team.
Concacaf Champions Cup Format
The 61st edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup will run from February to May 2026, featuring the top 27 clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The winner of this two-legged tie will advance to face Costa Rican club Alajuelense in the Round of 16.
What’s Next for LAFC?
LAFC will balance their Champions Cup commitments with the start of the MLS regular season, kicking off against Inter Miami on February 21 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Black & Gold’s MLS home opener at BMO Stadium is scheduled for March 7 against FC Dallas.
For more information on the 2026 schedule and season ticket memberships, visit the club’s official website: https://www.lafc.com/
