By Reinaldo Oliveros
24 Aug 2024, 1:37 PM EDT
Columbus Crew and Los Angeles FC (LAFC) face each other this Sunday in the final of the Leagues CupFor LAFC, it will be a chance to avenge their defeat in the last MLS Cup final.
For the Columbus Crew, led by Colombian striker Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, This will be their third final in less than a year: they won the 2023 MLS Cup against LAFC by 2-1 but lost the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup against Pachuca by 3-0.
His highlight of this edition of the Leagues Cup came in the round of 16, when the Columbus Crew eliminated Inter Miami 3-2 without Lionel Messi due to injury but who seemed to have the match under control 0-2 with only half an hour left.
LAFC goes for its first Leagues Cup
LAFC has established itself as one of the most feared teams in MLS in recent years: it was champion of the MLS Cup and the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2022 and a finalist of the MLS Cup and the Concacaf Champions League in 2023.
LAFC’s star is Gabonese striker Denis BouangaMLS’s top scorer in 2023 with 20 goals in the regular season.
The Spaniards Ilie Sánchez and Sergi Palencia and the Uruguayan Cristian Olivera are other notable players from a LAFC team coached by Steve Cherundolo.
In the last meeting between these two teams, Columbus Crew won 5-1 on the road against LAFC just over a month ago in MLS.
The Columbus Crew and LAFC will at least take to the field this Sunday with some of their homework done since, just by reaching the final, they got the ticket for the next Concacaf Champions Cup.
But the Leagues Cup provides a third ticket to that tournament, which will come from the consolation final between the Philadelphia Union and the Colorado Rapids, which will also be played tomorrow starting at 1:30 pm Los Angeles time.
Continue reading:
– LAFC to another final: will play the Leagues Cup against Columbus Crew