When the Columbus Crew and LAFC last met in December, the Crew hoisted the 2023 MLS Cup at Lower.com Field and showcased why the Black & Gold were the best team in Major League Soccer.
Eight months later, the clubs rematched – this time in Los Angeles, where Western Conference-leading LAFC had been unbeaten in 2024. So, how did it go?
For Columbus supporters: exactly how you’d expect.
On Saturday night, the Crew battered LAFC, 5-1, in an MLS Cup rematch, as the visitors stepped into BMO Stadium and completely dominated the Western Conference’s best team in the conference’s toughest atmosphere.
“Really happy,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said of the Crew’s performances against LAFC. “Really happy because the task that we had was really difficult, knowing the context and the situations. My players found a way to be ourselves and to play the way we wanted to play and to play really good sequences, but also to be also disgusting to play against. This is something that I like. I'm happy because the level was a good level. I’m happy.”
The reigning league champs took the lead in the 38th minute through a standard Columbus buildup. Working the ball from right to left, Max Arfsten was eventually given space near the touchline and crossed it toward Christian Ramirez to nod Columbus in front.
Cucho Hernández provided the second in the 56th minute with a world-class curler to the back post that left LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris planted on his goal line, as the Colombian forward scored his 12th goal of the season.
The third in the Crew’s attacking trio, Diego Rossi, then scored three minutes later – his first goal against his former team – when he found space via a poor LAFC giveaway and had a back-post shot clink off the woodwork. The goal was Rossi’s fourth in as many matches and eighth this league campaign.
Ramirez earned a brace in the 84th minute when he scored his second goal from a header. Alex Matan whipped an in-swinging free kick into the box for Ramirez to guide it toward the back post.
Five minutes later, Matan scored the Crew’s fifth when Darlington Nagbe won the ball in LAFC and played Matan in on goal The Romanian first-timed it to the back post with a curling effort. LAFC had a consolation goal between the Crew’s fourth and fifth, but it wasn’t enough to mask the fact that Columbus became the first team to ever score five goals at BMO Stadium.
“It's great,” Cucho said of the Crew’s big win. “We were so happy in the locker room a few minutes ago because we know LAFC is a great team. They are the first team right now in this conference. So, what can I say? We are so happy, and we have to keep going.”
As they should be. The Black & Gold have won five-straight games, including six of their last seven road games. Let’s see if the form continues Wednesday night when the Crew host Charlotte FC at Lower.com Field.
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