CONCACAF Champions Cup: Late free-kick goal gives LAFC semifinal edge

Field Level Media|published: 04/30/2026, 1:02am EDT

Nov 1, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles FC logo soccer balls at the LAFC HQ store at Banc of California Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Nkosi Tafari's free kick from the left flank in second-half stoppage time lifted host Los Angeles FC to a 2-1 win over Toluca FC on Wednesday in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal series.

The two-leg, total-goal series will conclude May 6 at Toluca de Lerdo, Mexico.

Just after the regulation 90 minutes expired, Tafari sent his free kick through a crowded penalty area and saw it sneak inside the near post despite the dive of Toluca goalie Luis Garcia.

LAFC's Timothy Tillman opened the scoring in the 51st minute. Son Heung-Min laid the ball off to him at the top of the 18-yard box. Tillman chested the ball down and sent a right-footed half-volley inside the left post.

Jesus Angulo curled in a long-range goal in the 73rd minute as Toluca pulled even. His 18-yard, right-footed effort beat Los Angeles goalie Hugo Lloris inside the right post.

LAFC are two-time CONCACAF Champions Cup runners-up (2020, 2023), but they have yet to win the continental competition. Toluca won the event in 1968 and 2003 and has been runner-up three times.

--Field Level Media