The reigning MLS Cup Champions have added a Leagues Cup title to their growing resume.
Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew defeated LAFC 3-1 at Lower.com Field in Sunday’s final to win the 2024 edition of the tournament. Both the Crew and LAFC also punched their tickets into the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, as well as the Colorado Rapids, who defeated the Philadelphia Union on penalty kicks in Sunday’s third place match.
Cucho Hernandez propelled the Crew in front before halftime, heading home Mo Farsi’s cross into the top-right corner. The Colombian’s goal gave him at least one goal contribution in every match of the knockout stage of the tournament (five matches).
However, Steve Cherundolo’s squad would battle back to tie the match through Olivier Giroud’s first goal for LAFC. The French striker finished off Mateusz Bogusz’s cross into the bottom corner for a 1-1 equalizer 12 minutes into the second half.
With both teams fighting for a winning goal, it was Cucho again who delivered for the Crew in second-half stoppage time. After being fed a pass from Alexandru Matan, Hernandez drilled a low shot into the bottom-right corner for his second goal of the night.
Substitute Jacen Russell-Rowe capped off the eventual victory for the Crew by added a second goal in quick succession. Hernandez played distributor in the 94th minute, setting up the Canadian forward for his first club goal since May 18.
The Crew would hang on to capture their second trophy in eight months, continuing what has been a stellar run of success during Nancy’s reign as head coach.
That match shows the limitations of a counter attacking team against a possession opponent that plays at pace. Columbus limited LAFC to really one chance all night. LAFC finished it but it wasn’t enough. You have to play perfect for 90 minutes against a team like The Crew to play that style. LAFC turned off for 2 seconds and Cucho made them pay. The third goal comes because they had to push everyone up to try to tie it.
I’m going to have to sign up for Apple + now. Missed too many good games like this. One thing I find notable is that not one Mexican team made the semi finals. I watched a good part of Colorado at, I think it was, America, on Mexican TV. I missed the first part of the game, but what was interesting is that Colorado was leading 1-0 the second half and America was sending everyone forward and putting on constant pressure. In the past you could practically count on the Mexican team overwhelming the MLS team and that’s what I expected. But it never happened. Colorado was really well organized and America never came that close to equalizing.