Djordje Mihailovic scored twice as the Colorado Rapids earned a 2-1 win over Los Angeles FC on Tuesday at Commerce City, Colo., in the first leg of an opening-round CONCACAF Champions Cup series.
LAFC halved its deficit on a goal from Aaron Long in the 86th minute of a contest played in frigid conditions.
The second leg of the total-goal series will be played on Feb. 25 in Los Angeles. The winner will advance to oppose the Columbus Crew in the Round of 16.
In the first match of the year for both sides, Mihailovic opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 48th minute after Kevin Cabral drew a foul in the 18-yard box.
Colorado doubled the lead when Mihailovic hammered a 30-yard free kick into the top left corner.
In the late going, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga delivered a cross into the box that Long headed home.
Rapids goalie Zack Steffen made six saves, while LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stopped two shots.
–Field Level Media
