Columbus Crew are champions once again. Columbus captured its third MLS Cup on Friday night with a 2-1 win over the defending champs LAFC.
Columbus hasn’t been the most dominant team in the MLS Cup playoffs, needing extra time in both Conference semifinals and Conference finals to get through. However, they always were at their best when it mattered the most, something that was on full display against LAFC.
The first half saw a great performance by Crew, as they opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after Cucho Hernández converted a penalty before doubling their lead just four minutes later through Yaw Yeboah. In the second half, Columbus opted to sit back, absorb LAFC’s attacks and preserve their lead.
The LA team managed to cut the lead to one in the 74th minute thanks to Dénis Bouanga’s goal, but that turned out to be all they could do. Columbus did just enough to prevent a second goal by LAFC and deservingly ended up as the last team standing in the MLS Cup.
With its third MLS Cup win, Columbus Crew is now in the top three of the most decorated MLS clubs. Only the Los Angeles Galaxy with five and D.C. United with four has more trophies.
