LAFC forward David Martínez, left, recovers the ball during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado takes a shot on goal during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Aaron Long heads the ball during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Olivier Giroud, right, attempts to get past Colorado Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem (6) during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Eddie Segura looks to pass the ball during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Olivier Giroud (9) attempts to recover the ball as Colorado Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem (6) looks on during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward David Martínez moves the ball past Colorado Rapids midfielder Oliver Larraz, right, during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Colorado Rapids midfielder Oliver Larraz (8) heads the ball during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, right, controls the ball during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Igor Jesus (6) moves the ball between two Colorado Rapids defenders during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, left, moves the ball up the field past Colorado Rapids midfielder Josh Atencio (12) during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado, left, scores the only goal of the match past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring what proved to be the winning goal during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC fans cheer after their team scored during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Nathan Ordaz, left, controls the ball while defended by Colorado Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem (6) during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Marlon, top, heads the ball during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado recovers the ball as Colorado Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem looks on during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Sergi Palencia reacts after a bad pass during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, back, catches the ball during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga takes a shot on goal during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Jeremy Ebobisse, right, recovers the ball during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman, right, is upended by Colorado Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry, back, during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, standing, looks on from the sideline during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Marlon, center, kicks the ball up the field during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward David Martínez, left, kicks the ball during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman chases the ball during the second half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado points to the crowd and his crest after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC fans cheer during the second half of the second leg of the team’s CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
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LAFC forward David Martínez, left, recovers the ball during the first half of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. LAFC won, 1-0, and advanced 2-2 on aggregate via an away-goal tiebreaker. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
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LOS ANGELES — Sometimes the bare minimum is enough to get the job done.
Such was the case Tuesday night at BMO Stadium, where the Los Angeles Football Club stayed alive in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
The shutout victory ensured LAFC would face the Columbus Crew in the continental competition’s Round of 16 beginning next week.
Advancing 2-2 on aggregate, with Aaron Long’s score in the first leg of the two-game series holding up as the away-goal tiebreaker, LAFC shut down the Rapids yet again, nailing down a fifth consecutive home shutout against Colorado dating to May 2021.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo and his team knew they had to get on the scoreboard at least once to advance and avoid bowing out of the tournament after reaching the final in their previous two appearances (2020 and 2023).
While the opening contest in Commerce City, Colorado, was played in single-digit temperatures, Tuesday’s finale offered a pleasant Southern California evening around 60 degrees.
Though the conditions were immeasurably better, LAFC labored through a particularly burdensome first half.
Colorado, meanwhile, took five shots through 97 minutes of game action but failed to put one on target. A strong defensive effort from Cherundolo’s group helped LAFC remain undefeated at home against the Rapids, improving to 8-0-0 with a 22-2 goal margin, which grew by one on Mark Delgado’s game-winning score in the 49th minute.
Receiving the ball on the right flank, David Martínez burst past a Rapids defender, gathering just enough space to deliver a low cross toward the 6-yard box, where Olivier Giroud had made a run to the near post.
The ball cleared the French striker’s long reach, but covering ground behind him Delgado got just enough of the ball as he slid to the grass that it cleared Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
