Nearly nine months after meeting in the MLS Cup Final, Columbus Crew and Los Angeles FC lock up again for a trophy in the 2024 Leagues Cup Final on Sunday at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
“We are ready to play the final,” said Columbus Crew striker Cucho Hernández. “Nothing more to say. We are ready. I'm ready. I'm so happy to play another final with this club, making history with this club, and the people only [remember] the winners.”
Hernández and Yaw Yeboah scored in the first half of that encounter 260 days ago, also hosted in Columbus, before Denis Bouanga answered for the visitors in the second period. The LAFC contingent ran out of time to make a comeback as Columbus Crew held on to lift its third league title.
The Crew’s MLS championship saw the club rise on its road to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Final last June. Despite falling to CF Pachuca, Columbus has solidified itself as one of the best teams in the region as the club looks to lift its second major trophy in a year.
“It's gonna be a new game,” said Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy. “Happy to play here, obviously. It's so fun to play in the final at home, and we suffered a bit when we played against Pachuca.”
Along with Hernadez, the Crew roster features many of the same players that were influential to the title run in Patrick Schulte, Rudy Camacho, Darlington Nagbe, Diego Rossi, and Christian Ramirez, among others.
LAFC has kept some of the players that fueled its run to the MLS final last December but has also undergone a bit of a roster turnover. Hugo Lloris and Olivier Girioud are the two eye-catching additions along with the return of midfielder Eduard Atuesta.
“I think the moment we're in is better,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo. “It's a different competition, different time of year, different group, add on some new players since the last time. So there are many factors, but just overall, the group is in a very good spot. Mentally, physically, and tactically.
“It's kind of the sweet spot right now, and so it's a great time to play this match,” added Cherundolo.
LAFC will seek to win the club’s first international trophy. This encounter will also pit the last two runners-up in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a tournament to which both have qualified for in 2025 with their wins in the semifinals.
Both clubs have yet to be defeated in the 2024 edition. The Crew are a bit fresher, entering in the Round of 32 as the MLS champion, while LAFC can end its campaign unbeaten in seven after a win and draw in the group stage.
“I have a lot of confidence in my team, in my teammates, in my coach,” said LAFC midfielder Ilie Sánchez. “But one thing we certainly won't do tomorrow is go into the game overconfident, and that's how we're going to face it. I have a lot of confidence in my players, in my teammates, in what we know how to do well, in that tomorrow, in another final, we will be able to show that we are a great team.”
