Aaron Long quieted Chase Stadium just nine minutes into the game. The American defender was in the right place at the right time to beat Oscar Ustari following a sequence from a corner kick. The away goal rule being in effect meant the Herons needed three goals to win the tie outright.

LAFC made the Champions Cup finals in 2020 and 2023 and beat the Columbus Crew 4–2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 last month. Denis Bouanga, the MLS Golden Boot winner in 2023 and co-runner-up with Messi and Luis Suarez last season, scored three of L.A.’s four goals against the Crew.