LAFC survives by the slimmest margin and now faces a brutal reality | OneFootball

The Los Angeles FC hangs on in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, but by the slimmest of margins. Steve Cherundolo's side won at home by 1-0 over Colorado Rapids, progressing to the Round of 16 because of the away goals rule. Now the challenge becomes far more formidable: next up is Columbus Crew, Concacaf runner-up last year and this year's Leagues Cup winner.

The eventual score may imply a routine win, yet what happened at BMO Stadium was not particularly comfortable. LAFC dominated parts of the match, had a couple of scares, and required a definitive goal from Mark Delgado and a vital display from Hugo Lloris to secure qualification.

Close win, just qualification?

Soccer is not always a matter of dominance. Sometimes it is simply a matter of surviving. And that is precisely what LAFC did against Colorado Rapids. Having drawn 2-2 in the first leg, the team was well aware that a single goal and a good defense would be sufficient to see them through.

Mark Delgado was brought to life during the first half of the second half. In the 49th, he opened a small enough window and finished hard, putting LAFC up. That brought the aggregate goal total level, but due to the away goals rule, Black & Gold went through to the next round.

The ultimate aim totally reshaped the dynamics of the game. Colorado Rapids, having no point to protect anyway, encouraged higher up on the field and began pressing forward. In minute 59, David Martínez shot from range, nudging Zack Steffen into making a good stop. LAFC retreated more often than they probably should have and welcomed danger with open arms many times.

If not for Hugo Lloris, everything could have been very different. The French 'keeper, as veteran as he is, pulled off two crucial saves from Cole Bassett, one of them being in the 84th minute when the equalizer was in the air.

By the time the whistle was blown, it was bittersweet, indeed, LAFC had advanced, but the display did make one question how much the team's real potential was in this tournament.

Defense worked, but the attack is something to worry about

Defensively, LAFC was robust. Chiellini and the defense held firm on Rapids, and Lloris was stout when he was required to be.

The issue? The offense. Delgado's strike was enough to keep advancing, but LAFC was unable to find opportunities, specifically in the second half. If that was adequate against Rapids, it will not be against Columbus Crew, perhaps the most clinical attacking team in MLS.

The biggest question is: where is the offense firepower? The presence of Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga, who possess game-altering ability, was absent. LAFC cannot rely on a single goal in a tournament where everything matters.

What to look for against Columbus Crew?

Now, the real test arrives. Columbus Crew, the Leagues Cup champion and Concacaf runner-up, will not let LAFC pull another cagey, low-scoring win. The Crew plays aggressive, quick soccer and has players who can turn a game around in a matter of seconds.

Not only does Columbus have one of the most complete teams in the MLS, but they've proven that they are capable of competing in knockout tournaments. LAFC needs to play much more efficient and aggressive than they did vs. Rapids if they're to move on. Is LAFC ready to have a deep push in this tournament?

The win over Colorado Rapids was enough to mark the minimum requirement objective, but it did little to show LAFC is a power to be recognized.

Columbus Crew will be the last proving ground. If LAFC duplicates their disappointing attack, they may send them packing without putting up a fight. But if Cherundolo can reboot his offense and his team is playing at its best potential, they may well be able to prove they're among the tournament's elite.

The Concacaf Champions Cup continues. The next edition will start soon. Now, LAFC has a chance to see if they're going to be the headliner or the sidekick.