LAFC edged by Rapids in first leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup opener

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Aaron Long scored a late goal, but it was not enough as LAFC lost to the Colorado Rapids, 2-1, in the opening leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night.

Djordje Mihailovic scored a pair of second-half goals for the Rapids in a match that was played in below-freezing temperatures at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The second leg of the total-goals series is next Tuesday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The winner advances to face the Columbus Crew in the Round of 16 in early March.

The conditions were challenging and both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in their first official match of 2025.

After a scoreless first half, Mihailovic beat LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on a penalty shot after Ryan Hollingshead fouled Kévin Cabral inside the box in the 48th minute. Mihailovic doubled Colorado’s lead in the 80th minute, when he curled a free kick from 25 yards out into the top left corner of the goal.

LAFC answered in the 86th minute, when Denis Bouanga sent a cross into the middle of the Rapids’ box. Long timed his run perfectly and he headed the ball into the lower right corner for an important away goal.

LAFC dominated possession (61.5%), had more total shots (14-7), more shots on goal (8-5) and more corner kicks (6-1) than the Rapids.

LAFC plays its MLS season opener on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. when it hosts Minnesota United.

GIROUD’S HOME BURGLARIZED, POLICE SAY

LAFC striker Olivier Giroud’s home was the target of a burglary earlier this month, police said.

The 38-year-old French soccer star moved to Los Angeles last year after signing with LAFC in May.

Los Angeles police said they responded Feb. 5 to a report of a window smash at a home in west L.A. The caller reported an upstairs bedroom window broken and their home burglarized.

LAFC spokesperson Seth Burton declined to comment on behalf of Giroud and the organization beyond confirming the burglary report.

Giroud is best known for his six prolific seasons at Arsenal from 2012-18, followed by three years apiece at Chelsea and Milan. He has scored 285 goals in 716 matches during his club career while winning a wealth of trophies, including a Champions League triumph with Chelsea three years ago.

He was also a star for the French national team, scoring a record 57 goals and playing for Les Bleus’ World Cup winners in 2018.