Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi, left, celebrates his goal with forward Latif Blessing, center, and forward Adama Diomande during the second half of a Major League Soccer match against the Colorado Rapids Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. LAFC won 2-0. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi, center, scores past Colorado Rapids defender Danny Wilson, right, during the second half of a Major League Soccer match Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. LAFC won 2-0. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi, right, celebrates after scoring a goal on Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard during the second half of a Major League Soccer match Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. LAFC won 2-0. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)



When Général Ciman looms over the 3252, the Los Angeles Football Club stand unbeaten at home.

For the 12th time in 13 league matches at the Banc of California Stadium, LAFC walked away with points, earning a victory and a bit of breathing space between itself and competitors in the MLS Western Conference Sunday night following a 2-0 tally over the Colorado Rapids (6-13-6).

Ciman, a 32-year-old Belgian international whom LAFC head coach Bob Bradley named as captain prior to the start of the team’s inaugural season, had run afoul of the Black Army after a perceived slip in the level of his play in recent weeks.

Members of LAFC’s passionate supporters group chose to remove the banner with his name on it ahead of last Saturday’s match with Sporting Kansas City — the first of three consecutive home contests in eight days and the first defeat for LAFC at Banc of California Stadium.

The Ciman banner, which the 3252 acquired from Montreal Impact supporters, reappeared on Wednesday and LAFC defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0.

The trend continued Sunday after second half goals from Lee Nguyen and Diego Rossi, as well as a strong defensive effort by Ciman, Danilo Silva, Jordan Harvey and Steven Beitashour that secured LAFC’s first back-to-back shutouts of the season.

The three points pushed LAFC’s season total to 42, leaving them in a positive state of mind prior to Friday’s “El Trafico” against the L.A. Galaxy at the StubHub Center.

“We are ready to beat the Galaxy,” said Carlos Vela, who played 79 minutes on Sunday.

LAFC (12-7-6) broke down the Rapids early in the second half when Beitashour sent a lofted ball towards Vela in the box that was headed away.

Nguyen jumped in front of a Rapids player and danced inside the box as he approached Rapids’ goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The midseason acquisition from New England, a mainstay of Bob Bradley’s lineup, worked with his back to Howard hoping to put the ball on his favored right foot.

Instead, Nguyen pirouetted to his left, opening the space he needed in front of the 3252 supporters to hit his second goal of 2018.

“It was kind of a blur,” Nguyen said.

A beautiful sequence beginning in the LAFC half gave the Black & Gold a bit of insurance in the 80th minute.

Moments after a pair of quality saves from Miller maintained LAFC’s slim lead — first a reaction to a close header and then a diving deflection of a shot from Kellyn Acosta — Beitashour passed the ball to attacker Adama Diomande, who came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute for Christian Ramirez.

The Norwegian flicked it to a streaking Diego Rossi and the Uruguayan made a run into the box where he beat Howard for his eighth league goal.

LAFC head coach Bob Bradley also noted the steady play of his backline after Silva prevented a dangerous Rapids’ opportunity in the 75th minute, and the captain, ”Le Général,” disrupted a two-on-one situation in the opening half in front of the home supporters.

“Two-nothing wins this time of year are important because 2-0 wins usually mean there’s a solid way from start to finish,” Bradley said. “We’re starting to see some more shutouts and that’s important.”