Colorado Rapids humiliate LAFC in crushing defeat, but is the worst yet to come? | OneFootball

Colorado Rapids started their 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign in style with a 2-1 home victory over Los Angeles FC. Djordje Mihailovic was the hero of the evening, netting both goals for the Rapids, one of which was a stunning free kick, as Aaron Long netted a consolation goal for LAFC late in the match.

While the win, the battle is far from won. The second leg in Los Angeles' BMO Stadium will be determinative, and with an away goal to their name, LAFC still has a lifeline in the fight for a Round of 16 spot.

Bitter cold freezes the action early

Anyone seeking an action game right from the start was in for a letdown. With temperatures dipping below freezing, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, playing defensively and creating very few genuine scoring chances.

The Rapids tried to use Kévin Cabral's speed to their advantage, but Ryan Hollingshead led the charge of LAFC's defense in stifling those attacks. On the opposing side, Denis Bouanga and Jeremy Ebobisse tried to get behind Colorado's defense but were largely ineffective.

Zack Steffen didn't have to do much of anything for most of the first half, and Hugo Lloris only had to make one big save on a Cabral shot. The first 45 minutes were close but dull, with all the excitement reserved for after halftime.

Mihailovic takes over in the second half

The Rapids emerged at halftime determined to take over the game. Three minutes into the second half, they had their chance.

Cabral made a run into the box and was brought down by Hollingshead, and an immediate penalty was called. Djordje Mihailovic came up with ice in his veins and calmly sent Lloris the wrong way, pushing the ball down the middle. 1-0 Rapids.

That goal completely altered the pace of the game. With fresh confidence, Colorado nudged LAFC out of its comfort zone and made it play up the pitch. Cabral nearly doubled the advantage in the 54th minute, but Lloris made a gargantuan stop to deny that.

LAFC eventually responded in the 69th minute when Hollingshead fired from beyond the box, but Steffen made a fine stop to retain the Rapids' dominance.

Then, in the 80th minute, the magic occurred. Mihailovic set up a free kick just outside the box, picked out his target, and curled it with finesse into the top left corner, leaving Lloris completely helpless. 2-0 Rapids, and the Dick's Sporting Goods Park crowd went bonkers. It was the knockout blow. But hold on.

Aaron Long's header keeps LAFC alive

When Rapids appeared to have won, LAFC managed to snatch a lifeline. With 87 minutes played, Denis Bouanga delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Aaron Long jumped over the defenders, heading the ball into the corner of the net.

A humble target? Maybe. But in a two-legged match, an away goal is the game-saver. The visitors emptied their tank in the final minutes, and Bouanga came inches from an equalizer, but Steffen made a clutch save to repel him.

With the final whistle, Colorado were partying in the victory, but the task is very far from completed.

What's on the line in the second leg?

At only a one-goal margin, Rapids will know that they are going to have to fight for the win in Los Angeles. Any easy 1-0 victory for LAFC would take them to extra time, but any two-goal victory would qualify them outright.

The past works in favor of Colorado on home turf, since they lost to LAFC last at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in 2019. That said, competing in LA is an altogether different challenge.

Mihailovic has been a thorn in the side of LAFC, scoring five goals and two assists in six games against them, but he'll need to do it again to help Rapids hang on. Bouanga, Lloris, and Long will be prepared to lead the comeback for LAFC.

The showdown is on February 25 at BMO Stadium, and one thing is certain, this series ain't over yet.