LAFC vs Real España Preview: Prediction, Team News & Lineups

LAFC vs Real España in the second leg of their 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One series sees the MLS side hosting the Honduran champions at BMO Stadium on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, with a commanding 6-1 aggregate lead from the first leg in San Pedro Sula.

LAFC delivered a statement 6-1 thrashing on February 17, with Son Heung-min contributing four goal involvements and Denis Bouanga adding to the rout.

Real España arrive in Los Angeles needing a near miracle: they must overcome a five-goal deficit while scoring away from home against an in-form LAFC side.

Expect the Honduran club to set up more conservatively and look for moments on the counter; LAFC can rotate but still boast a clear quality advantage and momentum heading into the second leg.

LAFC vs Real España – Date, Time, Predictions, and More

BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, California, United States

Round One’s second leg pits LAFC’s attacking depth against Real España’s resilience in a tie LAFC dominate on aggregate.

MatchLos Angeles FC vs Real C.D. España (2nd leg)
CompetitionCONCACAF Champions Cup — Round One (2nd leg)
Date24 February 2026
Kick-off10:00 PM ET / 03:00 UTC / 7:00 PM PT
VenueBMO Stadium, Los Angeles

Team News and Analysis

Los Angeles FC Team News

  • LAFC arrive with clear confidence after the big away win; the frontline of Son Heung-Min and Dénis Bouanga were central to the first-leg rout (Son: three assists; Bouanga: hat-trick). Expect both to start unless the coach makes a deliberate rotation to manage minutes.
  • Available squad lists show some long-term absences remain in LAFC’s defensive group; reports name players such as Aaron Long, Igor Jesus, and Jacob Shaffelburg among those not expected for selection (fitness updates subject to club confirmation).

Real C.D. España Team News

  • Real España’s confidence will have taken a hit after conceding six, but they remain competitive domestically and will likely pick a resilient, compact XI aiming to score early and hope for momentum. Key contributors from the first leg (Jack Jean-Baptiste, Jhow Benavídez) are expected to feature again.
  • Coach Jorge must decide whether to chase the tie aggressively from kick-off — a risky plan away from home — or to protect pride and target set-pieces and counters.

Head-to-Head Record

First competitive series: First leg, Real España 1-6 LAFC. Average 3.5 goals, high-scoring.

All-time H2H

The clubs met in the first leg of this tie — LAFC won 6–1 in San Pedro Sula — so the second leg is the first competitive meeting on Los Angeles soil and effectively a confirmation fixture unless Real España produce an extraordinary turnaround.

DateCompetitionResultScore
Feb 17, 2026CONCACAF Champions CupReal España 1-6 LAFC1-6

LAFC vs Real España Starting XI Lineups

Son Heung-min South Korean professional footballer and Los Angeles FC
  • LAFC (4-3-3) Starting XI vs Real España: Lloris; Palencia, Martínez, Porteous, Hollingshead; Delgado, Tillman; Son, Bouanga, Tillman/Ebobisse.
  • Real España (4-2-3-1) Starting Lineup vs LAFC: López; Flores, Capeluto, García, Mejía; Benavídez, Palacios; Jean-Baptiste, Vuelto, Ritacco.

Key Players

  • Son Heung-Min (Los Angeles FC) — the creative fulcrum: holds the ball, supplies assists, and can score; his first-leg performance underlined his importance.
  • Dénis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC) — clinical finisher; his hat-trick in leg one leaves him top of the tie’s scoring chart.
  • Jack Jean-Baptiste (Real C.D. España) — one of Real España’s threats from set-pieces and runs in behind; will be crucial if his side are to threaten LAFC on the break.

Match Prediction

LAFC’s 6–1 advantage makes this essentially a formality, but two legs still matter: rotation, player fitnes,s and discipline can shape the remainder of LAFC’s continental schedule. Real España can take pride in its performance and chase goals, yet over two legs, LAFC’s quality looks decisive.

  • Predicted Score (2nd leg): Los Angeles FC 2–0 Real C.D. EspañaAggregate: LAFC 8–1 Real España.

Where to Watch LAFC vs Real España

Stream LAFC vs Real España live with these CONCACAF Champions Cup options:

  • USA: FS2 (English), TUDN (Spanish), Concacaf GO app (free). Starts 10:00 PM ET.
  • Canada: OneSoccer at 10:00 PM ET.
  • Australia: Concacaf YouTube/Facebook (free); beIN Sports select at 3:00 PM AEDT (Feb 25).
  • Europe: Concacaf GO/YouTube (free); Sky Sports highlights (UK). Local: beIN Sports (Spain/France), DAZN (Germany/Italy).
  • Global: CONCACAF’s official, MLS, or LAFC’s official channels for TV/stream links.

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