By The Numbers | Crew host Club América Wednesday in Campeones Cup

Charlie Hatch

Who’s ready for the Columbus Crew to host another international final at Lower.com Field on Wednesday night?

For the second time in three years, the Black & Gold will play the Campeones Cup in the Ohio capital to determine the best champ between MLS and Liga MX - this time against Club América. Secure your seat now.

Numbers to Know

2 – As mentioned above, Wednesday night is the second time the Crew have played in this one-off competition. Back in September 2021, the Crew beat Deportivo Cruz Azul to win the Campeones Cup – the Club’s first trophy ceremony at Lower.com Field. Of course, we all know what’s happened since. Last December was the MLS Cup Final. Last month, it was the Leagues Cup. This isn’t the first time this season the Crew have navigated an international competition during the regular season, so supporters should expect head coach Wilfried Nancy and his players to rise to the occasion against, historically, the most dominant team on the continent.

10a – Diego Rossi was phenomenal in the last competition between MLS and Liga MX sides, so let’s expect the same in Campeones Cup. The Uruguayan just scored in Saturday’s 4-3 league win against Orlando City SC, and he has 13 goals and 19 assists in his last 17 matches across all competitions. During league play, he has 22 goal contributions, which is one fewer than a career-best 23 in 2019. He’s been sensational for the Black & Gold this season, and there’s no better match to standout than in one with a trophy on the line.

10b – Earlier it was mentioned that América is one of the most legendary clubs on the continent. That’s certainly true. However, Las Águilas aren’t playing like it now. Ten matches into the Liga MX Apertura, América is 10th in the league with 13 points. While they’re unbeaten in their last three matches, only one was a win: a 3-0 victory over Atlas on Sept. 17. Like Columbus, América played on Saturday night and earned a draw at Necaxa. América made the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals earlier this year, but the Mexican side only advanced to the Leagues Cup quarterfinal. With considerable travel for this midweek match, it’ll be interesting to see how América approaches the match in an environment where the club struggled previously.

21 - Henry Martín is the Club América player to keep an eye on. He scored in Saturday’s draw with Necaxa, and he scored four goals (and provided two assists) in seven Concacaf Champions Cup matches. The Mexican international has five goals through nine Apertura appearances to go along with two assists, and he’s made 45 appearances for El Tri, the Mexican national team.

When They Last Met

The Columbus Crew toppled Club América, 4-1, when the clubs met July 31, 2023, in the Leagues Cup group stage. Cucho Hernández produced a brace for the home side, while Christian Ramirez and Steven Moreira also got in on the scoring.