Tuesday, March 11 | 5:30 p.m. PT
Venue: Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH
Broadcast: TUDN, ViX, tubi
The stakes are high as LAFC heads to Columbus, Ohio, for the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against the Columbus Crew. With a commanding **3-0 aggregate lead** from the first leg, LAFC is in the driver’s seat, but the Crew won’t go down without a fight. The winner on aggregate will advance to the Quarterfinals to face either Inter Miami or Jamaican side Cavalier FC.
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LEG 1 RECAP
LAFC dominated the first leg at BMO Stadium last week, securing a **3-0 victory** thanks to a brace from Denis Bouanga and a late goal by Nathan Ordaz. Despite holding just **32% possession**, LAFC made their chances count, landing nine shots on target compared to Columbus’ one.
“Effort was a deciding factor for us tonight,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo. “Columbus is one of the hardest-working teams in the league. You have to outrun them if you want to beat them.”
This marks the third time LAFC has won the first leg of a Concacaf series 3-0—and they’ve gone on to win both previous ties.
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WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE LEG 1?
Both teams rotated their squads for MLS matches over the weekend:
– **Columbus Crew:** Played to a **0-0 draw** against the Houston Dynamo, resting key starters like Steven Moreira, DeJuan Jones, and Aziel Jackson.
– **LAFC:** Suffered their first MLS loss of the season, falling **5-2** to the Seattle Sounders. Eight players were rotated out, with key stars like Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead coming off the bench.
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LAFC’S ROAD RECORD IN CONCACAF
LAFC has a mixed record in away Concacaf matches, with **2 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw** in six games. Their most recent away match was a **2-1 loss** to Colorado in freezing conditions. This time, they’ll face milder weather in Columbus, with temperatures in the upper 60s and minimal chance of rain.
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HISTORY BETWEEN LAFC AND COLUMBUS
The last time LAFC visited Lower.com Field was the **2024 Leagues Cup Final**, where the Crew won **3-1** with two late goals. However, LAFC has proven they can overcome deficits, famously rallying from a 2-0 aggregate loss to León in 2020 with a **3-0 home victory**.
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KEY STORYLINES
LAFC WILL ADVANCE IF…
They balance attacking for an early goal to extend their lead while preventing Columbus from gaining momentum. Young forward **Nathan Ordaz**, who scored in two straight matches, could be a difference-maker.
COLUMBUS CAN ADVANCE IF…
They capitalize on an early goal to cut the aggregate lead to 3-1 and build confidence at home. Despite losing star **Cucho Hernández** to Real Betis, the Crew still have firepower in **Diego Rossi** and **Jacen Russell-Rowe**, who have each scored twice this MLS season.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Concacaf Champions Cup is the pinnacle of North American club soccer, with the winner earning a spot in the **2029 FIFA Club World Cup** and **2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup**. LAFC has reached the final in both of their previous appearances (2020 and 2023) and will look to take another step toward continental glory.
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HOW TO WATCH
English: FS2, tubi
Spanish: TUDN, ViX
Don’t miss this high-stakes showdown as LAFC looks to seal their spot in the Quarterfinals!