CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul, LAFC advance
Mar 11, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles FC defender Sergi Palencia (14) hugs forward Olivier Giroud (9) after the victory over the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Cruz Azul scored three goals in the final 19 minutes and emerged with a 4-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday in Mexico City to prevail in their CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 series.
The contest was the second leg of a two-game, total-goal series. The teams played to a scoreless draw last week in Seattle.
Carlos Rodriguez's header put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute, and a penalty kick by Angel Sepulveda doubled the lead in the 71st minute.
The Sounders appeared to get back into contention when Danny Musovski scored in the 74th minute, but tallies from Luka Romero in the 85th minute and Jorge Sanchez in the 88th sealed the outcome.
Cruz Azul will face one of their Mexican rivals, either Chivas de Guadalajara or Club America, in the quarterfinals.
Crew 2, Los Angeles FC 1
Despite losing the second leg in Columbus, Ohio, Los Angeles FC advanced to the quarterfinals by a 4-2 aggregate score.
A strong first-half showing on Tuesday gave the Crew a chance. After Diego Rossi eluded the LAFC defense along the left flank in the 10th minute, he lifted a cross into the box, and Jacen Russell-Rowe volleyed it in from close range.
When Rossi converted a penalty kick just before halftime, the Crew trailed just 3-2 on aggregate. The visitors wrapped up the series when Denis Bouanga capped a two-on-one breakaway with Cengiz Under by rolling in a goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.
LAFC's quarterfinal foe will be either Inter Miami or Jamaica's Cavalier.
--Field Level Media
What the NBA Draft Should Learn From the 2026 NFL Draft
Best Betting Picks for Saturday’s NBA Playoff Matchups
Four Teams That Are Winning 2026 NFL Draft So Far
Shohei Ohtani Rule Explained: Why Dodgers Get Extra Pitcher
- MLB Best Bets Today: Strikeout Props and Total Plays to Target
- NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Game 3 Predictions & Best Bets
- NBA Playoff Picks: Rockets vs Lakers & Spurs vs Blazers Best Bets
- MLB Betting Picks Today: Two Expert Picks for Tuesday’s Slate
- NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Nuggets vs Timberwolves & Knicks vs Hawks
- Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
- UFC Winnipeg Betting Picks: Best Bets for April 18th Card

