LAFC Gears Up for 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Showdown

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Los Angeles FC (LAFC) begins its quest for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup with a first-leg clash against the Colorado Rapids on February 18 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Following a 2-1 victory over Liga MX’s Club América in a club friendly, LAFC aims to build on its previous success in this prestigious tournament.

This matchup marks the beginning of a two-leg series in the first round of the Champions Cup. The aggregate winner will move on to face the Columbus Crew in the Round of 16 in early March, with the second leg scheduled for February 25 at LAFC’s BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

According to LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington, the team is eager to learn from its past experiences in the tournament. “The bitterness of losing a final doesn’t go away until you actually win one, so that keeps us incredibly hungry,” Thorrington said, referencing LAFC’s previous appearances in the tournament.

The Concacaf Champions Cup, a 60-year-old competition featuring 27 of the top clubs from North America, has seen LAFC reach the finals in 2020 and 2023. In 2024, LAFC won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup but was eliminated in the MLS Cup Playoffs’ Conference Semifinals.

The 2024 season saw LAFC finish first in the Western Conference, with strong performances marked by the league’s best away record (8 wins, 6 losses, 3 ties), and a total of 63 goals scored against just 43 conceded. Conversely, the Colorado Rapids secured a seventh-place finish in the Western Conference, 14 points behind LAFC.

In terms of roster changes, LAFC has made several offseason moves, including the acquisition of forward Jeremy Ebobisse and midfielder Mark Delgado. Despite losing key players such as Mateusz Bogusz and Eduard Atuesta, LAFC’s core remains intact, featuring stars like Denis Bouanga, Olivier Giroud, and Hugo Lloris.

Colorado aims to rebound after a mixed 2024 season, which included strong home performances, finishing with 10 wins at home. Stars such as Cole Bassett and Djordje Mihailovic provide a solid foundation for the Rapids this season. Additionally, the team recently signed midfielder Ted Ku-Dipietro and midfielder Josh Atencio to bolster their lineup.

Weather conditions for the match are expected to be challenging, with temperatures forecasted to be in the low 20s and a slight chance of snow, potentially favoring the home side.

“Possession will be vital to our strategy,” Rapids coach Chris Armas stated. “We need to keep the ball away from their dangerous attackers and break down their defense effectively throughout the match.”

As both teams adapt to offseason changes, the first leg provides an opportunity to showcase their preparations ahead of the competitive MLS season kicking off on February 22, with LAFC facing Minnesota United. With high stakes in the Champions Cup, each side is looking to gain an early advantage in this crucial opener.