2024-08-27 06:55:02
Leagues Cup came to a close Sunday evening when the Columbus Crew faced off against LAFC in an MLS Cup rematch, but this time for the Leagues Cup trophy. A tournament sanctioned by Concacaf, both teams earned automatic qualification into the 2025 Champions Cup. However, the winner, would earn a ‘bye’ into the Round of 16. In a match of ‘revenge,’ LAFC have been outscored by the Crew 7-2 in their previous two meetings. Columbus, on the other hand, came into this match playing their third final in nine months.
LAFC had a good chance early to get on the board after Steven Moreira took Mateusz Bogusz just outside of the box directly to the right hand side. The short set piece was blocked by Cucho Hernandez, with a rebound shot saved by Nicholas Hagen.
The Crew had multiple chances to break the deadlock throughout the first half, but LAFC stood tall not allowing the Black & Gold to gain the advantage.
It wasn’t until just before halftime that the Crew got the all important first goal.
A free kick that was cleared as far as Mohamed Farsi kept the Crew in their attacking end. Farsi was able to play a bounce pass off of Sean Zawadzki before sending in a cross to the backpost. Hernandez was able to meet it halfway and head it home past LAFC netminder Hugo Lloris to give the Black & Gold a 1-0 lead into the intermission period.
Just 10 minutes after the start of the second half, LAFC found their equalizer through Olivier Giroud, who headed home an LAFC corner kick in the 56th minute.
LAFC came out of the second half with a new sense of urgency, which saw Columbus give up the equalizing goal.
The second half was all LAFC. With head coach adding Kei Kamara, Cristian Olivera, Timothy Tillman off of the bench, LAFC were in it for the long haul.
But it was the Columbus Crew who would turn the tide.
The Crew found their go-ahead goal through Hernandez who had a shot on goal from the right channel go over everybody in the 18-yard box and find the back of the net in the second minute of second half stoppage time.
Jacen Russell-Rowe added the Crew’s third goal of the night in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time, after collecting a pass from Hernandez before sliding it past Lloris, giving Columbus the win over LAFC for the third time in nine months, and clinching the Club’s first ever Leagues Cup trophy.
The Crew have outscored their California counterparts 10-3 in that span.
What the win means for Columbus
With the Leagues Cup trophy in hand, the Columbus Creww have earned a ‘Bye’ into the Round of 16 of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Cucho Hernandez named Best Player
With two goals and an assist on the night, Cucho Hernandez was named the Leagues Cup Best Player.
What’s next?
The Columbus Crew are back in MLS action Wednesday as they travel to face off against the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff from Subaru Park is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass.
