LAFC falls in first leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup to Colorado

A case of shaking off the rust? LAFC sure hopes so.

Playing its first important match of 2025, LAFC got off to a rough start, though a late run has given them hope of a comeback. Facing the Colorado Rapids in the first leg of the opening round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, LAFC fell behind two goals early in the second half, both scored by Djordje Mihailovic, but a late strike by LAFC has given them hope of overturning the result in next week’s second leg in Los Angeles.

After a scoreless first half, the Rapids were given a chance to take the lead just a minute into the second half. It started when Rafael Navarro played Kevin Cabral into the penalty area. LAFC right back Ryan Hollingshead tried to dispossess Cabral, but ended up clipping him with his right leg and the play was deemed harsh enough by referee Geoff Cameron to send Colorado to the penalty spot. Mihailovic converted the penalty to put the Rapids up a goal. Colorado doubled its lead in the 80th minute, as Mihailovic curled a free kick from about 30 yards out past keeper Hugo Lloris.

LAFC however got an important away goal in the 87th minute. Following a free kick, Denis Bouanga sent a ball into the penalty area, and Aaron Long flicked a header that beat keeper Zack Steffen far post to get LAFC on the board.

LAFC now turns its attention to its MLS regular season opener on Saturday afternoon, as they welcome Minnesota United to BMO Stadium.