If something took LAFC by surprise about its 2-1 defeat on Wednesday to Club León, it was an off-performance on a big stage.

Coach Steve Cherundolo chalked up the result, which could have easily finished lopsided for León ahead of today’s CONCACAF Champions League conclusion at BMO Stadium, as “a bad game at the wrong time. That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

LAFC knew what was coming. The team watched plenty of video. The players were rested, mostly healthy and prepared. But instead of showing up as a dominant force in Mexico like their three previous Champions League away games, the final favorites, the defending MLS Cup champions, just didn’t have it.

“No one can say they played a good game,” LAFC captain Carlos Vela said. “Maybe John (McCarthy), the keeper. He’s the only one playing a good level because he saved us some goals.”

McCarthy kept LAFC in the competition with five big saves that boosted struggling teammates before Denis Bouanga snatched another energizing moment in the 96th minute and changed the complexion of an otherwise dreadful start to the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League final.

Pre-apologizing for a profane description of the flat effort in his home country, Vela didn’t have a specific reason for why the outcome happened the way it did.

“But for sure I know we played, excuse me for the word, a (expletive) game,” he said. “And the only positive thing is to come here one goal down. We have to take that as a chance to play better football. To play in L.A. with our fans. It’s the only way we get the trophy.”

Bouanga’s goal off a cross from Sergi Palencia simplified the circumstances for today’s second leg.

“I think it affected the other team because they were really close to 3-0, but by scoring we reduced the gap between us,” said Bouanga, who made a goal contribution in all seven Champions League matches and is the leading scorer of the competition. “For our team, I think it’s getting us up that we can win (Sunday) and we’re going to do it.”

To claim their third trophy in less than a year, plus invitations to a pair of FIFA Club World Cups, LAFC has no other option. It must repeat what it did under Bob Bradley in 2020 by beating León at home.

Whatever it takes to win “is where our mental state is,” Cherundolo said. “And we feel we have the tools to do it.”

In regulation. In extra time. In penalties. It matters not. LAFC must finish ahead by two or more goals to carry the aggregate score after 180 minutes. A one goal edge means an extra half hour will be added with a deciding penalty shootout looming.

León excelled in the first match at speeding up play and making the visitors seem disconnected and slow. They played well out wide, inundating LAFC with crosses that delivered damaging blows, especially with set pieces.

“Set pieces are kind of an overflow or carry over of what was going on in the game,” Cherundolo said. “I think our overall passiveness hurt us on the run of play and also set pieces, so that will be corrected. We expect a positive result as far as set pieces go.”

The Mexican club’s Colombian captain, William Tesillo, started on the team that departed Los Angeles a 3-0 loser three years ago. On Wednesday, older, wiser and more experienced, the 33-year-old center back connected with a header from a corner kick to put Leon ahead. Having seen LAFC’s full-tilt, almost frenzied effort last time, Tesillo said León “knows all the conditions L.A. have, so we are really focused.”