The Black & Gold are facing off against storied Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense, while the Union are battling LIGA MX giant Club Am\u00e9rica.<\/p>\n
The aggregate winners will advance to the tournament quarterfinals in April, chasing a CCC crown that grants a spot in the 2029\u00a0FIFA Club World Cup<\/a> and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.<\/p>\n \n LAFC 1, Alajuelense 1<\/p>\n LAFC got a clutch second-half equalizer from Denis Bouanga<\/a> but couldn’t find a go-ahead goal, settling for a 1-1 draw at BMO Stadium.<\/p>\n The Black & Gold dominated play for most of the first half, but conceded a shock opener just before halftime. Alajuelense’s Alejandro Bran converted the highlight-reel finish, ripping a perfectly placed first-time volley past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris<\/a>.<\/p>\n In danger of entering Leg 2 in a one-goal deficit, Bouanga stepped up with a 56th-minute leveler. The superstar Gabon international ran onto a feed from Son Heung-min<\/a> and coolly converted to the far post.\u00a0<\/p>\n LAFC close out the series at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica on March 17.<\/p>\n \n Goals<\/p>\n \n Philadelphia Union 0, Club Am\u00e9rica 1<\/p>\n A first-half concession leaves Philadelphia in a 1-0 aggregate deficit against Club Am\u00e9rica following Tuesday’s Leg 1 at Subaru Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n Raphael Veiga delivered the visitors an all-important road goal 20 minutes into the contest, converting a laser finish from inside the area past Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick<\/a>.<\/p>\n Philadelphia’s best chance at the equalizer came in the 86th minute through forward Indiana Vassilev<\/a>, who skied an open look on goal after pouncing on a giveaway at the back.\u00a0<\/p>\n Philadelphia play Leg 2 on March 18 at Club Am\u00e9rica’s Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n Goals<\/p>\n\n