Columbus Crew was proclaimed champion of the Leagues Cup after defeating in the final Los Angeles FC (LAFC) 3-1 with a double and an assist from a Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernandez absolutely masterful. The Colombian forward is the beacon of this dazzling team, which has won two titles in less than a year and has established itself as the LAFC ogre, having beaten the Los Angeles team in both finals.
The current MLS Cup champions (2-1 against LAFC last December), the team coached by Wilfried Nancy, who also reached the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup (losing in June to Pachuca), thus took over from Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, who last year won the inaugural edition of this tournament in which all the clubs of the MLS and Liga MX compete for a month.
Winners of the MLS Cup and the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2022, LAFC went to Columbus with a desire for revenge, not only for the 2023 MLS Cup but also for the humiliating 1-5 loss to the Crew in the league just over a month ago. But this time, too, they couldn’t beat the Columbus team and the defeat was even crueler for LAFC, as the last two goals came in second-half stoppage time when the final seemed to be going to penalties.
Columbus Crew, champion of the Leagues Cup
Both teams have a huge offensive arsenal but have opposing philosophies: Columbus Crew dominates through possession, while LAFC, with Olivier Giroud in his first start, is dynamite on the counterattack. LAFC was well positioned at the start and it was not until 20 minutes had passed that the home team’s first attempts came with a couple of forays down the left by Max Arfsten.
‘Cucho’ tried to smooth out Columbus Crew’s game, but the match was rough, choppy and at times heated with hard fouls and arguments between players. Nothing better than a dead ball to unblock a mess like that. After a corner kick, Mohamed Farsi caught the rebound and served a delicate chipped cross that the Colombian, entering like a rocket, sent into the net with a fabulous header on the edge of half-time.
LAFC was as solid in defense as it was ineffective in attack. The Los Angeles team responded in the second half, first with a goal disallowed for offside by Mateusz Bogusz and then with a goal that was allowed on the scoreboard by Giroud. Again it was a corner and again a header. The French striker also made his debut as a scorer with LAFC.
The draw was a welcome development for the Californians, who took a step forward and came close to deciding the final that was already headed to penalties. But at the last minute, the magic of ‘Cucho’ reappeared. In the 92nd minute, the forward scored the 2-1 with a cross that went through the LAFC area without anyone touching it until it entered Hugo Lloris’ goal.
The icing on the cake of an unforgettable night came from ‘Cucho’ just two minutes later when, on a counterattack, he provided the assist for Jacen Russell-Rowe’s goal, which sealed the title for the Columbus Crew.
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By reaching the final, both Columbus Crew and LAFC have secured a spot in the next Concacaf Champions Cup. The other ticket was secured by the Colorado Rapids, who won the consolation match against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday (2-2, 1-3 on penalties).
