LOS ANGELES -- LAFC secured their spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night. Midfielder Mark Delgado delivered the decisive goal in the 49th minute, propelling the Black & Gold into the next round, where they will once again face MLS opposition in the Columbus Crew.
After the match, I asked the LAFC head coach, Steve Cherundolo, about the key factors behind the team’s performance.
“Yeah, I think a combination of good defensive work as a group,” he said, emphasizing the team’s collective effort in maintaining their clean sheet.
He also highlighted the team’s attacking improvements after halftime.
“In the second half, we created more chances with the ball, and I think those have been the differences,” he added, pointing to LAFC’s increased offensive pressure that led to the decisive goal.
So far this season, LAFC has shown a mix of resilience and areas for improvement as they compete in both MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup. Defensively, the team has been solid, with strong organization at the back playing a key role in their success. As Coach Cherundolo noted, collective defensive work has been crucial, helping them secure important results. However, a recurring theme has been slow starts, with LAFC often needing a spark after halftime. While they’ve managed to adjust and create more chances in the second half, improving their early-game tempo will be important moving forward.
Offensively, the team is still finding its rhythm. While Mark Delgado’s goal against Colorado was a bright spot, LAFC will need more consistent contributions from their attack to maintain momentum. With a busy schedule ahead, balancing MLS and international competition will be a major challenge. Their upcoming league match against NYCFC on Saturday at BMO Stadium provides another test before shifting focus back to the Concacaf Champions Cup, where Columbus Crew awaits in the Round of 16. The next few matches will be key in determining whether LAFC can establish themselves as serious contenders on multiple fronts.