Los Angeles Football Club lost to Columbus Crew 3-1 at Lower Field.com Stadium. This is the second time the Crew has beaten LAFC in the final MLS Cup 2023 and the League Cup.
Cucho Hernandez seems to love scoring against LAFC. He scored a brace, and Jacen Russell-Rowe finished the game off.
After Olivier Giroud scored the equalizer in the 57th minute, the match seemed to go to penalties since the League Cup rule states that there is no overtime.
LAFC’s game plan fell apart in the dying minutes of the game, and they have now lost their fifth final under coach Steven Cherundolo.
The Black and Gold team’s game plan was to defend for 90 minutes, send long balls to Giroud, and wait for penalties. Sadly, LAFC pressed the self-destruct button yet again, and Cherundolo doesn’t seem to learn from his mistakes.
Cherundolo did the same thing in last year’s MLS Cup Final against the Columbus Crew in the 2023 MLS Cup Final. In Addition, the Columbus Crew players wanted the Leagues Cup more than the LAFC players.
Going to the game before halftime, following a corner, Mohamed Farsi from inside the box found Hernandez, who escaped Llie Sanchez’s and header the ball past veteran Hugo Lloris.
In the second half, LAFC started to get into the game and caused problems. In the 53rd minute, Mateusz Bogusz scored, but it was ruled offside. However, four minutes later, Giroud found the equalizer from a corner. Bogusz delivered a great cross, and Giroud knows what he does best.
After the equalizer, it was an even contest; both teams had chances to score. But in the end, Columbus Crew found the net at the end with the execution. Hernandez scored his second goal following an Alexandru Matan assist.
What’s sad is that the Crew’s second goal was similar to the first one. LAFC couldn’t defend crosses and were punished. Speaking about punishment, Columbus Crew player Jacen Russell-Rowe scored the third goal from the counterattack and won the League Cup.
LAFC has lost to Columbus twice this season in all competitions: 5-1 in the MLS at the BMO Stadium and yesterday in the League Cup. Moreover, LAFC lost the MLS Cup final to the Crew in 2023 2-1 in December..
Overall, LAFC can’t seem to beat Columbus Crew and wouldn’t be surprised if the Crew wins the MLS 2024. LAFC has to dust themselves and will focus on the U.S. Open Cup against the Seattle Sounders this Wednesday.
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