CARSON, Calif. – When the LA Galaxy take on C.S. Cartaginés next Wednesday for a chance to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, they’ll have to do so without rookie center back Kofi Opare.
Making his second consecutive CCL start, Opare put forth a solid performance—albeit with a few scattered errors—as LA kept the clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Isidro Metapán. The rookie’s finest moment came in the waning moments of the game when he was able to make a clutch last ditch tackle of Metapán’s Nicolas Munoz as he attempted to get free in the Galaxy penalty area.
But Opare won’t be able to take the field next week in Costa Rica after picking up a yellow card in the 47th minute for a soft tackle that referee Hugo Cruz believed warranted a caution. Although he’ll be unable to participate next week, Opare is allowing the result to give him solace.
“That is tough, but the most important thing is that we got the three points,” said Opare. “I’d do it again if it meant us getting the three points.”
