Bouanga's dagger secures LAFC's spot in round of eight for Concacaf Champion's Cup

COLUMBUS -- After falling 2-1 at the hands of Columbus Crew on Tuesday evening at Lower.com Field, LAFC still advanced to the round of eight in the CONCACAF Champion's Cup via aggregate score of 4-2.

Following a 3-0 victory over Columbus back on March 4, Los Angeles provided themselves with a nice cushion heading into the second leg of the round of 16 on Tuesday night. The Crew managed to strike with a pair of first-half goals to make things interesting, but a stoppage-time dagger from Denis Bouanga shut the door on them for good.

Making a clutch play to intercept the last-chance attack from Columbus was forward Cengiz Under, who fed Bouanga perfectly to get LAFC on the board. It was the third goal in Concacaf Champion's Cup play thus far for the 30-year-old, who leads the team in scores.

Los Angeles fell behind early as Jacen Russell-Rowe found the net in just the tenth minute. Diego Rossi then managed to add on once more for the Crew just before halftime as his penalty fooled the defense of LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris. 

Lloris has now allowed four scores in just as many appearances in Concacaf play so far. He has not yet allowed a goal in MLS play this season.

Momentum looked as if it had shifted in the direction of Columbus, who trailed just 3-2 on aggregate with a full half to play. It was a tense half indeed, as neither squad could seem to find the spark that they needed.

That was, until, Bouraga and Under stepped up to take care of business for Los Angeles and send them onwards to the next round.

LAFC will have to wait until Thursday to find out who their opponent will be in the quarterfinal. They will face either Cavalier SC or Miami.

In the meantime, the squad will return to action with more MLS play on Saturday afternoon as they host Austin FC. Austin, 1-2 thus far, currently riding a two-game losing streak.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. PT.