Most people understand what is meant when something is described as being “on steroids.” Stronger, faster, and far beyond ordinary levels — whether literally or figuratively — the message is clear: something appears enhanced well beyond normal limits.
After his team suffered a heavy defeat to LAFC last Tuesday, Elias Burbara, president of Real España, could have used that phrase to sum up what he witnessed in San Pedro Sula, though even that did not fully capture his feelings.
Standing in the tunnel at Francisco Morazán Stadium moments before his side — current leaders of the Honduran Liga Nacional — were set to take part in continental competition for the first time since 2000, Burbara was stunned by what he saw from LAFC.
Who would step out to face Real España on such a proud occasion achieved under third-year Costa Rican coach Jeaustin Campos?
To Burbara, it felt like robots powered by artificial intelligence. Terminators built to score goals.
Speaking to Spanish-language sports outlet Diario Deportivo Diez a day after what became the worst defeat in Honduran club history in CONCACAF competition, Burbara praised LAFC for the 6-1 rout. He thanked them for showing respect by competing at full strength — and for revealing just how large the gap is between the region’s elite and his own team.
“None of our players could catch them,” he said, “and even if we gave our defenders motorcycles, they still wouldn’t reach them.”
From physically dominant athletes to a travelling delegation of more than 50 staff members, including executives and ownership, LAFC arrived in a way Burbara said he had never experienced before.
“It’s completely different from what we see in Honduras,” he said. “Not even close.”
Fielding the same first-choice lineup that would later shut out Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in their MLS opener, LAFC unleashed their full strength against Real España.
Denis Bouanga’s second CONCACAF hat trick and Son Heung-min’s four goal contributions (three assists) in his Champions Cup debut were among the moments that convinced Burbara LAFC looked like a team from another world.
“I think they could compete in the English Premier League,” he said.
Viewing LAFC as a “model club,” Burbara said he plans to study their methods through the conclusion of the series Tuesday night at BMO Stadium, then conduct a full evaluation of his own organization and begin a physical transformation program for his players over the next year.
“I have many questions for them, and I’m going to ask,” he said.
At the very least, both teams will meet again for another 90 minutes.
Completing the task and advancing to next month’s Round of 16 against Costa Rican giants Alajuelense is the only focus for LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos. With four matches in 12 days to begin the season, Dos Santos has quickly silenced critics who doubted his suitability for the role.
“Everyone will play an important part in this run,” he said.
After opening his LAFC tenure in Honduras and then defeating Messi in the Coliseum, Dos Santos is now positioned to showcase the squad’s depth — including Amin Boudri, Tyler Boyd, Mathieu Choiniere, Ryan Hollingshead, Nathan Ordaz, Artem Smoliakov, Kenny Nielsen, Ryan Raposo, Jude Terry and others — should he choose, before returning to MLS action in Houston this weekend.
REAL ESPAÑA at LAFC
What: CONCACAF Champions Cup, Round 1, second leg
When: Tuesday: 7 p.m.
Where: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
TV/Radio: FS2, TUDN/1330 AM, 1230 AM
