Delgado sends LAFC to CONCACF round of 16

Turns not Aaron Long’s goal last week in Colorado was the difference for LAFC.

Trailing by a goal heading into the final leg of its opening round matchup of the CONCACAF Champions CUp against the Colorado Rapids, LAFC headed into Tuesday’s needing a goal and a shutout to advance to the Round of 16, and it was Marky Delgado that made Long’s goal in Colorado count in the most important way. Delgado’s score early in the second half combined with relentless pressure allowed LAFC to neutralize the Rapids and advance in the tournament with the 1-0 win at BMO Stadium.

“It was a complicated match,” said LAFC forward David Martinez, who assisted on the goal. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, we knew they were a good team, but we took it little by little, we adapted to what the game was like and we were able to take the victory.”

With the win, LAFC now braces for a team that its very familiar with, especially with trophies on the line. LAFC will face the Columbus Crew in the Round of 16, and it will be the Black and Gold opening up matters by hosting the first leg on March 4.

After a scoreless first half, LAFC finally broke through just three minutes into the second half. Martinez dribbled down the right side into the penalty area, Martinez then crossed into the six-yard box, Delgado beat Reggie Cannon to the ball and got off a sliding shot that deflected off keeper Zack Steffen and into the back net to give LAFC the lead in the match and tie the aggregate score.

“When the play was developing, and it was up the right side, I just kind of do what I do and crank up the engine,” Delgado said. “I found a burst of energy and got around the midfielder in front of me, beat him to the spot knowing that ball could possible come in and thankfully it did. I just did what I could to get a foot on it and luckily it went through Zack’s [Steffen] legs so it was a goal.”

LAFC will then turn its attention to MLS play, as they Welcome New York City FC to Los Angeles on Saturday night.