'Carlos Vela is the best Mexican soccer player right now'

Ignacio Ambriz, head coach of Leon, believes the 2019 MLS MVP is Mexico’s best player and if they want to beat LAFC they have to manage to stop Vela.

LAFC and Leon will play this Tuesday night the first leg of the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions League in Guanajuato. The Major League Soccer team arrived last night in Mexico and held their first practice in Leon stadium. The Supporter Shield winner will play their first international game in their history and in theory Leon should be favorite for that reason and because they have been one of Liga MX more constant teams in the last few years.

But for the home boss, Ignacio Ambriz, the match against LAFC will be extremely tough because they have Carlos Vela who in his opinion is Mexico’s best soccer player.

“Currently there is no Mexican soccer player better than Carlos Vela. The way he reads the game is unbelievable and he is able to win a game with one play, one goal or one assist. We have been studying him for some time now and we believe we know how to stop. I think the less time he has the ball the better chance we have of winning this game,`` said Ambriz in Monday’s pregame news conference.

What Leon expects from LAFC

Believe it or not, the 2020 season will start today for Los Angeles Football Club, who will make their competitive debut tonight in the Concacaf Champions League with a meeting in Guanajuato. They have played a couple of preseason games but for Ambriz this is not a disadvantage for the MLS team because Leon has only played 6 matches in the Liga MX.

“I prepared to play the best version of LAFC whether they are in preseason or not because this is the first game of this competition for everyone since October of last year. They are representing the MLS and we are representing the Liga MX,” said Ambriz who is well aware that this is a 2-leg match.

The key

Carlos Vela will play for the first time in his career a Liga MX club in Mexico and the game will start at 10:00PM ET and the second leg will be in Los Angeles, California next Thursday, February 27th at that same time.