LOS ANGELES — Needing a regulation win to have any hope of advancing to the Leagues Cup knockout phase, the Los Angeles Football Club hosted Toluca FC, the top team on the continent, for the second time this year at BMO Stadium.
LAFC found what it was looking for from an unlikely source.
In the 91st minute, defender Eddie Segura struck a curling shot inside the far post, sealing a 1-0 victory to give the Black & Gold five points after two games in the first phase of the 36-team joint MLS-Liga MX competition.
Well acquainted after an emotionally charged two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal in the spring, which Toluca won 5-2 on aggregate en route to capturing the trophy for the first time since 2003, two of the most ambitious teams in North America battled to the end in a feisty but fair third contest.
The dramatic conclusion sealed a performance in which LAFC held the balance of possession as it limited the potent Toluca to shots from predominantly outside the box.
Chances came and went for both teams throughout the opening half.
Out of the gate, LAFC appeared to earn a penalty when, 15 seconds after kickoff, David Martínez went down in the box and Mexican referee Víctor Cáceres pointed to the spot. However, Cáceres reversed his call following a video review.
Little happened in the final third for either team until the 23rd minute when, working the left side of LAFC’s attack, Denis Bouanga beat two defenders in the box but couldn’t get the shot off.
Action on the field grew increasingly physical and Cáceres let them play. The referee’s sparse whistle offered Toluca a chance to break in the 33rd minute, but LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stopped a stinging shot from Brazilian forward Helinho.
LAFC countered hard on a subsequent corner kick, but Bouanga, Son and Martínez could not beat goalkeeper Hugo González, who was one of eight changes to the Toluca starting lineup coming off Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in Mexico.
The Black & Gold made two changes from the group that started against Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday at BMO Stadium. Lloris returned after being spelled by backup Thomas Hasal, and Aaron Long replaced Ryan Porteous alongside Nkosi Tafari in the center back pairing.
Midfielder Mathieu Choinière added to the close calls when he banged the post from 30 yards out in the 38th minute.
LAFC’s counterpressure before halftime forced a Toluca giveaway at the top of the box, which Bouanga hit over the crossbar on the half volley.
Both sides leaned on their benches over the last half hour.
Segura entered at left fullback for Yevhen Cherberko in the 57th minute alongside Ryan Porteous, who replaced Aaron Long.
The all-purpose Colombian defender/midfielder locked down Toluca attackers, and looked sharp as he repeatedly combined with teammates.
The winner came as another substitute, winger Jacob Shaffelburg, drove to the byline and floated a cross into the box that was headed away by a Toluca defender. The ball found Segura 23 yards out from goal and LAFC’s third shot on target all match bended left past a pair of Toluca players as well as González to seal the result.
Toluca returns home to Nemesio Diez Stadium to play FC Dallas, which has six points through two matches.
With something to play for at BMO Stadium on Wednesday, LAFC welcomes Querétaro, which visits the Seattle Sounders on Sunday at Lumen Field.