Telepeer

LAFC edges Rapids to advance in CONCACAF Champions Cup

February 26, 2025

LAFC forward David Martínez, left, recovers the ball during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

1 of 28

Expand

LOS ANGELES — Sometimes the bare minimum gets the job done.

Such was the case Tuesday evening at BMO Stadium, where the Los Angeles Football Club stayed alive in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

“At this stage of the season it’s more about getting the results you need,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said.

“For me, it felt like it was only a matter of time,” he added.

Mark Delgado’s first goal with LAFC held up, and a shutout ensured that LAFC will face the Columbus Crew in the continental competition’s Round of 16 at home next Tuesday, followed by the second leg on March 11 at Lower.com Field.

LAFC lost the 2024 Leagues Cup final and the 2023 MLS Cup final to the Crew, both in Columbus.

Advancing past Colorado 2-2 on aggregate, with Aaron Long’s header in the first leg carrying the day via the away-goal tiebreaker, LAFC blanked the Rapids at home for a fifth consecutive time dating to May 2021.

Coming into the contest, Cherundolo and his team knew that they had to get on the scoreboard at least once to avoid bowing out in the first round after reaching the final in their two previous appearances (2020 and 2023).

While the opener in Commerce City, Colorado, was played in single-digit temperatures, Tuesday’s finale offered a pleasant Southern California evening around 60 degrees for the players and the announced crowd of 17,203.

Though the conditions were immeasurably better for the second leg, LAFC labored through a particularly burdensome first half as the Rapids operated out of a 4-3-3 formation that had not used before, which limited space in the middle of the field.

“I thought we contributed to their efforts defensively by moving the ball a little too slow, not attacking the spaces we talked about before the game, and also handing them a few gifts trying to jam it up the middle,” Cherundolo said. “When we tell players before the game that’s what we don’t want to do and players do the exact opposite, it’s always going to be difficult. Thankfully we weren’t punished for it.”

Colorado, meanwhile, took five shots (all blocked) through 97 minutes of game action, failing to put one on target.

In the MLS regular-season opener against Minnesota on Saturday, LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris didn’t have to make a save until after the 90th minute. Against Colorado on Tuesday, that lasted through the final whistle.

“The defensive part of the game for us is black and white, there’s no gray area,” said Cherundolo, who played fullback for the U.S. men’s national team. “We have clear rules and right now the players are staying disciplined, following the rules and not conceding many chances.”

A second straight compelling defensive effort from Cherundolo’s group helped LAFC remain undefeated at home against the Rapids, improving to 8-0-0 with a 22-2 goal margin, which grew by one after Delgado’s game-winner in the 49th minute.

“It was just a burst of adrenaline,” said Delgado, who broke the seal in front of LAFC supporters in the north end of the stadium. “A lot of joy as well. I pointed to the badge and pointed to them just to let them know that I’m here with them now.”

Receiving the ball on the right flank, David Martínez dribbled past a Rapids defender, gathering just enough room to deliver a low cross toward the 6-yard box where Olivier Giroud had made a run to the near post. The ball cleared the French striker’s long reach but, covering ground behind him, Delgado got enough of the cross while sliding to the grass that it cleared Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who made three saves on the night.

“Marky was that piece to the puzzle that put it all together, so we’re very happy he’s with us,” Cherundolo said of the 29-year-old from Glendora, who joined LAFC in a trade with the Galaxy last month. “He’s fit in very well. He comes to work with a smile on his face and works hard, and hasn’t really needed much time at all to figure out our way of playing.”

Cherundolo and Rapids head coach Chris Armas each made one change from the first match to their respective starting lineups.

For LAFC, that meant going with the 19-year-old Martínez over 21-year-old Nathan Ordaz on the wing, and the Venezuelan proved to be a difference-maker.

“He was active, which is great,” Cherundolo said. “David is not good when he’s static and sits in his position.”

However Armas’ addition of Josh Atencio in place of offensive-minded Omir Fernandez was less influential. Unfortunately for Armas, the same could be said for Rapids star Djordje Mihailovic, who bagged both goals last week but did not get off a shot in the rematch.

“It’s a shame that we couldn’t get the goal,” Armas said, “but give them credit for being hard to break down.”

Late in the contest there was controversy when Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem mixed it up with LAFC defender Sergi Palencia during a free kick. The game was paused for several minutes as officials attempted to work through what happened when Awaziem claimed Palencia made a derogatory comment in his direction.

“I don’t know exactly what was said,” Cherundolo said. “I was on the sideline. I’m sure the referees will write a report and then we’ll figure it out from there.”

LAFC edges Rapids to advance in CONCACAF Champions Cup Orange County Register

News Details

LAFC edges Rapids to advance in CONCACAF Champions Cup

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS